Evening star., 1939-10-15
They'll Talk,
Then Again
They Won't
Every Screen Star
Has a FavOrite
And Taboo Topic
By Sheilah Graham.
HOLLYWOOD.

After you have been in Hollywood
as long as I have-going on four
years-you learn by Instructor un-
happy eXperience-what to ask, and,
even more important, what not to
ask, the stars-if you want to I'M
loosen them for an interview. Ev-
cry actor and actress here has one
subject he or she can be guaranteed
to wax enthusiastic about. And, by
the same token, most of them have
one taboo topic. The latter does not
always stop me-but 1t Is safer to
bring 1t up at the end of the con-
versation-with one foot outside the
door.
Laurence Olivier will talk until
the COWS come home about his love
for Vivien Leigh. I remember the
surprise of the reporter who hemmed
and hawed for two hours before dar-
ing to stutter. "I- er- understand
that er- you and er- Vivien
Leigh are friends" II love her" re-
piled Olivier simply. And, just as
soon as we can, we'll be married"
The British actor indicated clearly
that Miss Leigh was his favorite
topic and he enjoyed talking about
her to the reporter.
But don't ever ask Mr.. Olivier
When are you going back to Eng
land?" In common with most British
actors in Hollywood of military age,
Olivier intends to return to England
when he is wanted. But, also in
common with the others-David
Niven, Cary Grant, etc.-the uues-
ton Is irritating, and, for the sake
Of friendly relations between re-
porter and star, is better left un-
said.
Ginger Rogers will talk about her
career and her phobia against
dancing in pictures until you have
exhausted your pencil and notebook.
But ask her for the progress of her
separation from Lew Ayres, and a
faraway look appears in her green
eyes, her mouth snaps shut-and the
interview is over.
And this goes double for Mr.,
Ayres. He would sooner talk about
Ginger's career than his own. But
don't ever ask him for the date of
his reconciliation with-or divorce
from-Miss Rogers Lew has an
other favorite talking topic-his
hate OF producers who rush him
from B picture to B picture, with
out giving him time for-or a chance
at-the AS.
The way to get Robert Mont
gomery talking is-again-produc-
cry How he hates them! And how
ne enjoys tearing them to pieces
Tor tho delectation Of himself and
the press.
Taboo topic number one with De-
anna Durbin is, How old are YOU,
realy?' That cute little jaw of
hers sets in an obstinate line and
she stares bitterly into space. Not
that it matters very much whether
Deanna Is Is or 17-except from
publicity point of view-but I won't
der why Deanna does not have pub
l1shed copy of her birth certifi-
cate to put an end once and for all
to the ridiculous chatter.
Fred Astaire will talk about everv-
thing under the sun, including his
marriage (the latter is the forbid
den subject with dozens of stars).
but it is the height of optimism to
discuss Fred, jr., with Fred, ST.,
and hope to get more than a brief
Hes fine" followed by an awk-
ward but complete silence.
Greer Carson is one of the frank
est people reporter can hope to
meet. But trod on unproductive
ground when asked, How old are
you?" She was quite charming in
her refusal to tell-but the subject
was taboo none the less. Greer's
favorite topic is telling how miser-
able she was in Hollywood last
year, when she couldn't get break,
and how happy she is this year, with
the sun shining on her film career.
Super-favorite topics with Gary
Cooper, John Garfield, Claude Rains
and Boris Karloff are their re-
spective infant daughters. All these
gentlemen will tell you practically
everything that has ever happened
to them, If the conversation is
prefaced with How is your daugh-
(See GRAHAM, Page F-3.)