davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14
Deficit Is Cut;
|Deadline Nears

OLYMPIA-Deficit in the gen.
eral fund was cut to s1,27s,636
the past week as the state neared
the April l deadline when it will
begin paying off registered war
rants it has been issuing on the
fund since Jan. 2. State Treasurer
Phil II. Gallagher reported today.
About $4,000. 900 in unpaid gen.
sral fund warrants are being held
by banks and individuals around
the state. waiting for the treasurer
10 call them in. Even though no
checks were paid out of the gen
eral fund the past week, tax re-
ceipts in all "a state funds were
only sl,03s. sos, compared to ST.
ql4,7lo in expenditures Cash bal
ance in all funds was sl5.3ie,730.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14
ST A T E
EDITION
EaNISSsss'SS

in Tues
- days election was the
popular vote given to R. ID.
Bob O'Neil, candidate for
Utilities com m issi one r.
against the veteran incum-
bent, Ira s. Davisson. 0'Neil
got almost two-to-one vote
against the present commits
bioner out of total of nearly
81 900 votes, a really remark
able record. 1t was a rare
tribute to the candidate.
Despite Davisson's unusual
h successful handling of the
department, the people want
Id a change, and voted it most
alphabetically. O'Neil, with
the almost unanimous back
ing of organized labor, made
a strong race four years ago
and came back yesterday
with even greater strength.
His campaign against water
meters had a most potent eff
fleet, as the election figures
indicate.
O'Neil has made an inten-
sive study of the utilities de-
partment and with the practi-
cal experience that has been
his for many years, should
make a good official. The
best wishes of the citizens of
Tacoma will go with him.
They are jealous of the record
of the department and earn
estly trust that O'Neil will
measure up to the standard
achieved heretofore. 7 h e
Times is satisfied that he will
do his utmost to that end.
THE mayoralty race was
i close indeed. with Harry
Cain leading Melvin Tennent,
former mayor, by 1902 votes
Sudden death of Sen. G. B.
Kerstetter put Cain back in
the running after Gains de-
feat in the primary. Whether
or not legal entanglements
expected in the situation will
alter the result remains to be
seen. 1t was a case of a young
and vigorous candidate TAX
ing the lead from seasoned
tContinued on Page IL, Column -
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

Pierce county pfopTfty sssnefs
had bisi tao days rn0fs Wsdnss-
DAY " take advantages ~ tbs three
per cent discount allowed for early
payment ~ their taxss
fJTsdIins on tBs discount - Nm"
day. March Is After that tbs f4Ii
first half o. tbe tar must ~ paid.
though Il can D. paid without IN.
lafest until Juns 1.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

HOLLYWOOD Ginger Rogers.
who rose 10 fame - Pred Astslrs's
dancing partner IN the films. We'd
nssday obtained = divorce from
lev Ayrss. GrstA Carlos former
leading man and start u All
Quiet on the Western 'front.'
Miss Rogers charged that Ayres.
nov starred IN thu Or. kiidars"
series 81 films. deserted hsr
almost four years ago.
The actress sued under her isgsl
name II Virginia n. Aver.
When shs explained thai Ayers
told me 10 get oui. = enc twisted
her handkerchief BeryOsssiy. gianc-
ing dawn al her feet. Her eyes
nilsa attn tears when shs sald;
'Hhen he told ms 70 get out.
there ~ss nothing else 20 DO
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14
Roosevelt Winner
In New Hampshire

CONCORD, ~. H.-New Hamp-
thire's eight delegates 10 the
Democratic national convention
will be pledged to nominate Presi-
dent Roosevelt for q third term
until he releases them. virtually
complete returns from the ma
tons first presidential primary
showed Wednesday.
The Republicans eight national
convention votes xlil not Be-
pledged. but most delegates favor
Ser. n. Styles Bridges a "fsvorits
son.s or III. presidential somins-
taon.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14
VICE. Beaten
In Seattle
nv UNITED PRESS

Washington Commonwealth Fed.
srstions defeat In sssttie's mu.
nicipal election made significant
political news Wednesday,.
NwcF state President Hugh ~
Lacy was denicd r~.eleotion 10 the
Seattle city council. and the left
sings strength throughout the
state was sspeaied TO suffer cnr-
respondingiy.
DE Lacy was defeated by Bob
Jones. conservative west Seattle
business man, sa.sss 10 ss.5f7, In
the primaries DE Lacy ran only
81 votes ahead of Joasa.
Two incumbent couneiimen we're
reelected william l.. Morton,
with - .o<b votes. and James Sea-
votto, with ss.zit
Mayer Arthur n. IAsxiss
beeanse tire fourth mayor In
E~Aftie's II years ~ iaesr-
porsi~a history 10 NJ 20.
~ieeied for . secsnd rssssess-
tive term. issKils swrpt !.
with sD.ssi votes 10 1884
for Warren l. Cssh. sutsSs-
bile rental agency propsietsf.
Seattle ts-elsctsd a. G Van
soslsn corporation counsel. ~ sss
To s.2sI for Maurice ksdish. Port
Commissioner John A. Farley ~ss
reelected easily.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14
Cain, 0Neil
Win; Bowl
Plan 0kehed
Hospital and Port
Proposals Pass:
Ex.MoYor Irsd

Defeated forces ~ former
Mayor Melvin q. Tennent already
had started their counter attack
wednesday on the election os
Harry r. Cain.
Planning % contest the return
OF the ss-year-oid Golden Jubilee
chairman to the ballot After he
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14
Hecla S President
Leaves S5O6, 900

WALLACE, Idaho - The late
James F. Mccarthy, president OF
Heela Mining Co. left an estate
valued at s506. 900. according to
terms Of his will filed for probate.
Mccarthy died last week IN Spo-
kane.
The bulk of the estate was left
TO two sons. Joseph l. Mccarthy,
Of -Orofino, Idaho. and James Nc
Carthy jr.. Wallace. and daugh-
ter. Mrs. Leo Hoban. Of Wallace.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14


Giant Russia ard lIstie rtnis01
formally ended shsis unequal ~
msn,h war to-day and Foreign
Minister v. A. Tanner. IN . paia.
nant radio speech n shs mourning
nation. said Finland hsd No ebales.
The end came IN rinlsnd n ths
World war srmlstise heux ~ II q
m. the smoking nuns ~ ne
Msnnsfhsim line ceased lire. snd
the shi patruia IN ths m north
we're called In.
This vas thu hosir 81 N Ire
treaty signed 81 Moscow ~ 11o
=. M. Mosu0w ssasrA~.i =. ~ ~.
eifir standard iimss -
u nas snsseae11 80 -
ths wtsslsh psspts thst ~
treaty. wkIrh pws nsssts nsrh
~ m frsetb<vs II peles ~
0sest's it9se N tn eesty I'M
century. had b~e~ sigss1.
An hour later Tannsr made he
first u = series II spesehes ~
national leaders hitter. seffD~fsli
bot rssoiats spssehss. 10 ten ths
nation why = Illuminating psses nd
b~en made for thsn.
Tsssss ksplaiss
we pers not prepared bsesslss
We had believed In trsstiss." Tam
ner said Il tbsrs vas Isek
II all sorts n squipsnsnt. ard
notiasabls shortage sf certain
special Important arms ws hsd
nsi got guarantees from other
quarters our army I'D wall
and fought with al iss might. and
II dia well b<yana eli ssr~sss.
tlons.
u viii not nse tbs ronmsnrisss
eoFa. bafoss Wiii say they
fought lihs men. We h.d many
great vlaiotlss and only 90 tina
main frontier refe ws forced 10
withdraw somewhat
nut ns sfe = small peapie.
Tbs same men had "a fight al th<
time. and Il sss iaesissbss that
tlsy became TRAD
r.silsassss ss<~fs
We asked fef ksip ffpss H~esisn
Its nsutfzIits paIist ald not
permit Il. which rendered thu
position stlii snofs diffieuii
Both ths csbinss and pafii@snsnt
Rad met during shs morning Th~
espinss approved Tanners spessb.
ard parliament considered fstifis
eaten o. ms tss3sy.
n ~ss sxp~stsd ratification
sossld come today.
Explaining t<ssas ~ me treaty,
Tanner said the ss~ ffDakfsf
fDsghiy fosleHsa the iias fix<d ~
the psaes Il ussksspanAi during
shs reign " f'etsf sfss Great. <hea
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14
Reds Rejoice 5 Tiny F.
Agrees 10 Old Boundaries
OF Car Peter The Crooi
Firms Accept 'Houd'
Peocs; Tunnor
Chides Allies


UNTO m IAN nooe . n1noW
HEtANkt--A sn~sWsu1pne-pseoono1 - - - - -
Aay ssssA~ WITH te1sS - - nuV soo ecn
hh HsevHtsg fs~eVs nmopv@onc1 - uw 49,
~a~s " Lake tA1s9H uHta ~ ~
iurinrus
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES n1rpunnu
thss ~ Uws>A pnsNswsat NJ nee1 - n1o0En
treaty ~ hss hss~n 49, sonm uor1 -
ssssa wp~A
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

n11umvmr0UT. L. 1eynn1>ee~<
which t~ieted seroe~ uoeeorn
i.euis,sns sfd sse6ess Tess 11ro.
dsy night. slslfped u ilves -
caused psnpssty damage n enne1e
II 81 ~ - a wss se<iesele1 -
day. scores wess injured
Tn~ pris<ipsi stwm esnsers1 -
Industrial sna rssi<tentlej 9Iees><eo
u nhfsssp1ft. suffins . fgsf-m>to
ssssh and hiIIIns - psteeae. me-
" sh<m Negroes Ane<hef fsie&es
struck . nsfsf sawtuuntft nenf
Marshall. Tsx~s. - s1l,es ~eee -
hers. killing thf@e p>rnseA =
whem tus psrs nsGrees
sh~ sx@s asfssssd sws1en - ~
vllD2ss
ms @pshesm<n's csnisssisr =
ne Pstssue fs9lon - 49,
s@.isa. NJ seiA ~ need ~ we<1
sesd~A's xiss - ttanGn wn1ea
und<s sh& ssesty = = - ieesne
10 lsn&~s& far - ysssa
Ne ~ssl ~ 10 ~ that Eesssssvy
IN MID. ptnlsna ~ h>~n ee1e1
sl.s shs islhmss sd yiips<ss -
lcoasln.s~s % i'sss ~ cs'1s~ =
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

nnv,st nusr1n lelov su1r<m>nx
IL Ma nrmv,s xee.os = p1n11I1
- ~rdsn~ 81 tnr~~1 y - -.
s~t,sl,pe- ,nvn1lr~ = ~ -. o1s
savsnw rfvsen<.v se1laS-r~a1e~ls
wslb IL rsnnl~N r..ras - ~1n11l1.
In ,s,,-rle sr~lrrl 'rv.sSsr,<'r1 p
- $500. .s~~.r~ -
- .-~e.~'r1sr-.-6 ~ - -
= n~h11r~ ~ ~ 4 srrn1r, ~r~.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

WAS eliminated In the primary
election OF two weeks ago. Ten
nent and hia legal advisers pre-
pared to take the eity's most
dramatic mayoraity ampsig n
back into court.
'sThe whole thing ls In shs
hands Of my attorney. Ire
Teats." Tcnnent told The Times.
I'VE arc going 10 take the W
off rotten politics In Tacoma.
And am going 10 b. In thew
pitching hall.
'srelcphone calls have bees
coming In NJ my hesse sisne early
morning frem people al ever
IN. city offering 10 help go
ceufrihuse 10 . defcpse faad.
-Th. people are plenty siss~v.
TIL. h the dirtbe-t deal ever
pulled In the city 81 TseensH.
~Cllmbing ever . dead mans
body h no heesr 10 b. mayor.
I'm not going 10 let 1909
people down ~ long ~ there " .
court sf js,ssice."
The youthful Cain. on the ballot
under a superior court mandamus
order by Judge Card last satur.
day, after the sudden death Of
Sen. q. u. Kerstetter. won with
majority Of 500 votes over
Melvin q. Tennent when the city's
f3i precincts had been Tailed.
Cain polled 1897 votes. more
than double his count IN the
primary.
In once June 3
He will take over the rsiDs Of
the city June , from Mayor j. J.
Kaufman. who said Wednesday he
would complete his term. kauf-
man IL serving by ci'y council
appointment after thu death Of
Mayor John c. siegis.
Exact course Of action BY Ten
nent had not been decided. A pos
sible procedure would be Ia SEEK a
writ Of mandam,n against the
county election board 10 certify
Tennent 10 the city M elected
mayor. just as Cain obtained .
writ commanding tina board 10
place his name on the ballot.
Gaia Ca Travel
Ignoring the threat Of legal at
tack on his election. Mayor Elect
Cain said he plans 10 leave with
Mrs. Cain IN few days on a
months end auto trip through
California and the south.
He said he expects TO visit cities
all along the way and study their
municipal set-ups Inauguration
Of the new mayor viii not BE- untii
the first Monday IN june.
o'Ssii Runs Away
Creates, vote piled up Tuesday,.
- $50. however Was that given
(contlnusd ON Page 2 Column ~
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

Tive natives % Dtxte hstfseA
n out Tuesday IN Tscensas
mayoraity election.
Harry r. Cain. high nsan FOR
the office. was horn In Snsh-
VILE. Tenn. Meisin q. Ten
n~nt. his opponent. wss sess
In Martctta. Ga.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

sadAys
MAYOR
lTw..Yeas Texm)
Harry r. Cats ........... m.@1
~ u. rear~st ....s...s.. MNea
UTILITIES COMMISSIONER
lFear- Year rwssnl
n y. sn.hl o'N~si ..-.... Hs.neo
IFa =. I,sst~~es ,ss..s.s. is-&7S
LINCOLN HOWL LEVY
lone Outside rF~eiwes "a tlsrsel
YIN .ss.s.sstt<*.ss fh-sss
Nd ................s flseSs
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
isl Outside rr~cincts 10 Cessss,
1kS s*sss.s+%ss*s.. Wsfs>
No ..........s....ssss... aet1
COUNTY HosrurAf. LEVY
tst oasstd- rr~eiscs. v C~svssl
SES ........ss...sss. zesss
NO .s.sssss..ss.tsss le.3ee
SCHOOL,. DIRECTION
stbs.s. 10. rhr~e-S~~s r~vusl
tOne Prerinct - Cemsei
l.yle r1emley ..s......s,. 1e.ate
1e-~ph Wilkins ........s. n.es<
pARk COMMISSIONER
tFisc- Year fcsmi
Tive Precinct. h tsusei
o. q. MUTTON ..,s..s..f... lH.ess
Gevaid =. lJersyl Gasen !. tz.ass
PORT COMMISSIONER
tThr~~- Year TermD
tal preeinrts 10 Gusssei
Chart~. W. Orion ..ss.... 1t.n<e
John z. ketrhkc~ ....... 1.eee
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

wAssif~GfOS ~ The hoass
labor COMMITTEES Wednesday soisd.
~ % !. 10 elk,ss its ysar.ionK hear
ings On Wagner labor act afnsfsd.
Fnsntx. ss6 eeKaB Consideration u
l.bor act ehsasss nsxt Tuesday,
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

Creates, vote piled up Tussdsy.
- $50. however was that given
CONTINUED ON Page 2. Column 81
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

|ancyI
| ) the
ndia,
ONION, |
be fa-I
1 8 hI
|rters.
tie by |
from
| Presi-l
| nbayl
} ago. |
| " the
since. |
' last
mar /
|e cattle
Miller
!. will
states /
infre-i
lately
pip of
EveralE
rging I
z the
| 1t be-
RlariaH
| here
| iuism
'ajah,
| h H.
| htersk
ra, u
|rettys
dark
Prsit,yk
first
Indian
brnert
|rajahE
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

THE SCORE

uneffscial rvsav~es :. cemr,sed
tn6nxs
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

sAsk TRANSACTIONS
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-14

An hour later TanueI made The
first u = series II spesshes ~
national leaders hitter. soffo~fai
bat rssoists sp~sehsss 10 ten ths
nation why = Illuminating pescs nd
b~en made for them.
Evening star., 1940-03-31
Now Here's
A Lad With
An Idea
Irving Cummings
Would Do Awav
With Credits
BY the Associated Press.

BY LNe Associated HTeSS
HOLLYWOOD.
For 20, 80 years now people have
been wondering why all those names
had to clutter up the beginning of
motion picture. And for 20, 80
years the list of names of folks hav-
ing something to do with getting the
epic onto celluloid has been growing.
Here's a man, and a film man, too,
who'd like to eliminate all those
names.
His name is Irving Cummings and
he's been around for a long time
as director. Here's how he puts it:
Credits are an abomination. They
destroy the illusion of the story that
follows by telling you that so-and-so
created the costumes and that this
man directed the picture. They make
audiences conscious of the me-
chanics.
Furthermore, they bore millions
of people. you've got something
there, 1rving) Hollywood doesn't
seem to realize that most movie
goers don't give a continental who
directed the film or who did this and
that. The names mean absolutely
nothing to them.
Il am not being modest in saying
I'd like to eliminate credits. I hon.
estly believe that if there were no
credits all of us behind the scenes
would benefit.
1T would work out this way: If 1
turned out an excellent film the
other producers would make a point
of finding out who directed the pic
ture. If they went to that effort
they'd remember me longer. The
same is true of every worker. If
they saw some striking costumes
they'd ask who designed them
Cummings is making a one-man
(one-man is right campaign on the
set of the picture he's making now,
Lillian RUSSELL" to persuade the
players and credit-getting techni-
clans to forego the credits Just once,
as an experiment.
Evening star., 1940-03-31

which way the old cat jumps and no
matter what happens to those Hit
lers and Mussolinis.
It's Different Nowadays.
Charles been hurrying because,
for the first time in his career. he
has been face to face with talkie
production. He talks, Virginia, he
talks and so does every one else.
That means sound and technical
men of all kinds cluttering up the
stages.
Once upon a time. when Charlie
was working, he needed just few
tried and true helpers. In those
days Charlie could come to the
studio, look around, announce he
wasn't in the mood, and go spend
couple of months yachting. For
production No. 6" Charlie has been
coming every day, looking around
and settling down to work from 7
am. to 7:30 pm. Extras get better
wages these days, and then Charlie
has a name cast" for the first time
people like Paulette Goddard, Jack
Oakie, Billy Gilbert. Maurice Mos
covich, Reginald Gardiner, Henry
Daniel, Emma Dunn.
So it shouldn't be too long now,
Virginia. All Charlie has to do,
barring re-takes, is to score the
picture with his own music, edit it
and send it on its way. Editing and
scoring may take until September,
or longer, and then is when you'll
know beyond doubt that there is q
Charlie Chaplin.
Not q Line, Not a Word.
Charles been lying low, dear. be-
cause of you and kids like you. You
represent new generation of movie
goers, who think of movies in terms
of Mae West. Hedy Lamar, Robert
Taylor and other kiddie entertain
ers. Charlie dates from the early
Mack Sennett, Mary Pickford, Be-
linda a-the-beautiful-d days
(circa 1919. When you're on the
screen as seldom as Charlie, Vir-
ginia, you want folks to know about
you with bang. So until then,
honey, not a line, not word, not a
production still.
Meanwhile, dear Virginia. never
doubt it-there is Charlie Chaplin.
Evening star., 1940-03-31
WoIfert
Continued From First Page.)

(COntlnueQ from t1rSJ Pa9e.)
slowly and the curtain comes down
slowly and when the curtain Is
down the tinkle of the piano halts
in mid bar and there is silence.
Then the lights go up and the au-
dience IS permitted to go out for a
badly needed pause.
BY the time the second act be-
gins, the victim has been bricked up
in disused bake oven over the
fireplace and story has been scat
tered about the lonely countryside
to the effect that she Is of on trip
somewhere. Then the nephew, on
the lam from a little job of en-
bezzlement, comes to visit auntie
for safe-keeping and tumbles to the
fact that auntie has shed blood. Is
he Mortified? Not nearly as much
as the audience. In fact. not at ALL
He tries to blackmail her.
It Ends Screaming.
That brings us toward the end of
the third act and the best three or
four minutes of the play. Because
here are auntie and nephew. and the
question is what is the author going
to do with them when it's 50 close to
II o'clock? Auntie sows the ground
for a quick getaway by the nephew.
She admits the murder and then
points out to him sinisterly that it's
only the first murder that's hard
and that he's a very hearty eater,
and even If he didn't die of the
poison that she might put into his
food he would die Of starvation be-
cause how could he bring himself to
eat anything in her presence?
On top of that comes the news
that the police have had tip and
are searching the neighborhood for
the nephew, SO he beats it in a
hurry. The auntie watches him run
with smile and then suddenly the
maid totters into the living room
and stares at auntie with horror and
screams. "Have you been listen
ing?" cries auntie. The maid doesn't
answer. She screams again and runs
screaming out the front door to hunt
the police. It makes q good ending.
There were two other items to fret
the week. Ono was called "A Case
Evening star., 1940-03-31

But the most remarkable thing has
happened.
This time Charlie is hurrying
Well, hurrying for Charlie, that is.
For Charlie. his present production
OTIS about dictators but is known
as production No. g. is fairly rushing
like quickie. He started shooting
last September 9, and last week he
shot the final scene, barring retakes
which Chaplin never bars. That's
mere seven months from start to
finish.
You and other little girls your age,
Virginia, won't appreciate how
phenomenal that is. You were still
in the cradle when Charles Mod
ern Times" had its premiere in Feb
ruary of 1886. You were nowhere
around when Charlie "City Lights"
hit the screen in october of 1881.
That one was more than two years
a-making. Modern Times" took
about 18 months.
But He Never Hurries.
II Charlie had hurried little
more he might have timed his re-
lease date with big news headline
This would have delighted United
Artists no end. A couple of fell
lows named Hitler and Mussolini
met and had a chat over in Europe
somewhere. Charles picture is
about a couple of fellows named
Hynkel and Napolini, whose re-
semblance to persons living or dead
is purely coincidental-if you still
believe in fairy stories.
But Charlie never hurries, Vir-
ginia. If anybody suggested haste,
Charlie might sit down and stop
playing. Besides, Charlie is prac-
tically breathless already from un-
Chaplinesque haste. They say
those who believe as we do that
there is a plin-that Charlie
figures he's practically replaced Col.
w. S. Van Dyke, II, as the cham
pion hurry-upper director of Hol-
lywood.
It isn't timely release date, Vir-
ginia, that has caused all this rush
Charlie isn't worried about that
Charlie figures he has a comedy
which isn't propaganda and isn't
based on anything in particular and
so 1t will still have laughs no matter
Evening star., 1940-03-31

among the towns directors, is more
casual, but just as inhibited by rou-
tine. His first rendezvous with the
muse is always in the country. He
takes his writer-nearly always Rob-
ert Riskin-on hunting trip into
the mountains. And they invariably
come back with a complete STORY
line" The script is written in the
Office, but Characterization and
business" are developed by Capra
on the set, as he goes along.
Preston Sturges, one of Holly
woods leading scenarists, says he
thinks best on golf course, and
writes best in the bathtub. In
Sturges' case this unique system has
paid recent dividends, for he has
just been elevated to a writer -di-
rectorship at Paramount, with
Down Went McGinty" as his open
ing effort.
Gregory La Cava is as unexplain-
able and as impromptu as Lubitsch.
He starts all his pictures with no
script and only general idea of
the plot. He thinks things out as
he proceeds on the set. The cast
never has the slightest idea what's
going to happen. Yet out of this
kind of legerdemain have come such
masterpieces as MY Man Godfrey"
Stage Door" and the current
Primrose Path" Not one of these
films had script.
Berlin Likes Taxis.
Writer Grove Jones ("The Vir-
ginian, Trail of the Lonesome
Pine" "Lives of a Bengal Lancer"
and "Test Pilot" to name Just
few scripts he's worked on) concen-
trates best while walking the floor
behind bobbing cigar, furiously
swapping his suspenders. That's
the way he dictates. Occasionally,
this doesn't work, and then he gets
on train with his secretary and
depends on the monotonous drone
of the wheels to start his thought
flow. This, he says, hasn't failed
him yet-except once, when he got
telegram that he'd become
father.
Clifford Odets writes his stage
and screen plays in his underwear.
Irving Berlin confesses steady con-
centration at the piano doesn't get
him far in the tune writing game.
Most OF his best numbers have been
evolved while riding in taxicabs.
Alan LIE May, famous writer of
Western stories, who is here COL
laborating with De Mile on NORTH
west Mounted Police" says he ex-
plores his subjects while listening
to symphonies on the photograph.
The music helps him concentrate,
he says.
When Frank c"Mutiny on the
Bounty'D Lloyd, a three-way expert
at writing, producing and directing,
finds his thoughts growing hazy, he
gets himself involved in a game of
solitaire. He has been known to play
it all day in his Office while mapping
a story. In Lloyd's case, at least,
cards seem a sure cure for nerves.
William A. (Wild BilD Wellman
is another night-writer and the
writer's who work for him wish he
weren't. He shuts himself up in
his bedroom and works until dawn.
In Hollywood's paradoxical system
of ratings, such writers as Frederick
Hazlitt Brennan, Frank Butler,
Frank Wead, Dudley Nichols, Claud
Binyon, Bruce Manning and a very
few others are catalogued as "ec-
centres" They keep regular Office
hours.
(Released by the North American
Newspaper Alliance, Inc.)