Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1940-12-22

her most effective expressions She rested
hand on Cows shoulder and smiled.
What have you to say Martin? ?" she
asked. Does Preeble stay-or do II"
Il wish you'd do as Rock suggests" said
Cow nervously. please don't make an issue
of this, Tess. Preeble wont forget himself
again."
You haven't answered my question" she
insisted. Does Preeble stay, or do II"
we'll" Cow stammered and stared
at his hands. They were twisting nervousy
and the backs were moist Il suppose-if you
insist-we'll have TO find another man to"
Therese smiled and patted his cheek The
producers eyes were moving restlessly about
For an instance they locked with Wheems
and the critic could have sworn he saw
definite appeal for help in them. Preeble
turned to stare at the producer, but Cow re-
fused to meet his gaze. There was an awk-
ward silence and then lockwood laughed
How nice" he said sarcastically. Thou
sands of dollars, six months work plus
the jobs of entire cast mean nothing 10
Therese Blandon. And evidently they mean
nothing TO Martin Cow. But unfortunately,
they do mean quite bit to me-" He turned
slightly to face Therese. You seem to have
won the first round, Tess. Don't feel too
happy about it-theres a second round COM
ing"
And I'll win that. too" she laughed But
let's not talk about it tonight"
The car turned east and raced through
a narrow block lined with theatres. The
houses were dark now, and Wheems
studied the unlighted marques he wondered
how many similar farces had been played
backstage in these theatres. Why. he thought,
must the people of the theatre forever work
at their trade? Why could they not leave
their histrionics on the shelf with their make
up boxes and become human beings when they
walked from the stage door?
Some did. But in his experience too many
of them continued their life of make-believe-
brought it with them into the street and into
their homes. They strutted and posed made
ridiculous demands and fought over issues
that meant less than nothing Therese Blan-
don no better nor worse than a score
of equally talented actresses with whom
Wheems was associated. She was spoiled
flattered catered-to and, as a result, ha
come to the conclusion that her word Wa
law.
Wheems was surprised at the producers
attitude. Martin Cow had staged the last
five of Rockwood's plays and each had been
a tremendous success. He had starred The
rese in all of them and result she had
risen from the estate of mediocre actress
10 a relgnlng sensation on broadway. WheemS
had never considered her a truly great &C.
tress The parts had received the praise
in his reviews and he had claimed Therese was
made in spite of her acting. rather than be-
cause of it.
He had no illusions as to Preeble's abili-
ties, either. The man was a capable actor
but he would never set the world on fire with
his brilliance. In Rockwoods plays he was
able to make the most of whatever talents
he possessed, and Wheems credited him with
this In his mind, the critic rated Preeble
slightly above Therese. but the margin was
so slight that it was negligible.
And now Martin Cow was ready to dis
miss Preeble because Therese had decided
to demand it, That was far from Wheems
idea Of the manner in which producer should
settle a quarrel between his players. In
fact. Cows quick surrender had reused
suspicion in Wheems that there was far more
to this discussion than appeared at first
glimpse.
NN/HEFMS plaved with the idea until the