Evening star., 1942-01-17

l QOIl KNOW, llt Sdlu d-llO VIC
No one seemed to care that she
speak a line in picture. All. there
was the script girl. She would ask
her.
Trixey, a gnome-like female, who
had been in pictures since the silent
days, was going over the script with
the star of the picture-Alice Della
ware
BE with you in minute" Trixey
smiled at Livia
mo hurry" said Livia hastily. She
moved a few feet away. and was
soon joined by the script girl, who
whispered:
Sorry to keep you waiting-but
you know what Alice is" Every
extra in Hollywood could have an
swered that question. They all knew
Alice Delaware was notorious for
her tantrums She seemed to de-
light in making those who worked
with her as miserable as possible.
But she was sweet and charming
when reporters were on the set. And
she was powerful-her husband was
the biggest producer in Hollywood.
She had been 2 star for 10 years
now and her reputation was still
strong enough to sell her mediocre
acting. Most people made a point
of being polite to her-or OF keep
ing out of her way.
A Bump Required.
This is what you have to do said
TriXey. Livia had to bump into
Alice while they were dancing with
the respective partners, then she
had to register surprise at the sight
of the stars partner, whose role
wa.s that Of heartbreaker. and say,
"Why, hello, Tommy, didn't know
YOU were -" Then stop short at
his warning look.
It seemed simple enough as Trixey
explained it. Livia repeated the
words until she felt they were
craven forever on her memory.
"All right, rehearsal" yelled the
assistant director.
Livia was nervous and bumped
into Miss Delaware with too much
force.
What are you trying to do
knock me cut?" Alice screamed.
Johnny Enfield grinned and said,
It's not a football tackle, Livia.' -
Every one laughed, and Livia felt
foolish. "All right, this Is a take, "
said Enfield. "Camera-action."
But now Livia was too gentle.
mo, no. Bump into Miss Della
ware" Enfield said when the ex-
preston of exaggerated, patient suf-
fering on the stars face made Livia
want to slap it.
The next take" was no good
Miss DelaWare's fault this time She
blew up-and blamed it on Livia.
That fool of girl has upset me"
she said. What is this-a school of
acting?" Again that hateful laugh
from some Of the extras. Livia was
tired. She had slept very little the
preceding night. She lost her head
ard her temper. There was a gasp
of astonishment when she said
slowly, but clearly to Enfield:
L1vla Loses Temper.
I'm not the fool of girl; she Is
She blames me for forgetting
my lines. Why doesn't she blame
her own stupidity?"
"Livia, stop it, said Enfield. There
were smiles on all the faces-except-
ing Alice's. She looked around
swiftly and decided to have hys-
terics. She flung herself to the floor,
kicked her heels, and screamed
Livia was among those who rushed
to help her to her feet, but Alice
threw off her arm and yelled:
Get away from me, you-you-"
She could think of nothing else to
say. You fool"
1t was half an hour before Miss
Delaware was able to resume her
acting career. And it was no surprise
to Livia when Enfield told her:
Better forget about the line. Livia"
But she was still too angry to take
it philosophically For months she
had worked hard, hoping for just
such chance. and now it was to
be taken from her because of a
temperamental clothes-prop who
couldn't remember her lines.
I'm leaving" she told Enfield.
"She's right. am a fool, thinking
I could get anywhere as an extra.
We haven't chance. We're just so
many pieces of scenery, and we're
fools to think We'll ever be any,
thing else. Well. here's one extra
that's getting wise to that racket.
I'm going bood-by."
She was halfway to the exit be-
fore Enfield cought up with her.
Listen, Livia.'' He pulled her
around roughly, "You know what
this will mean at Central Casting?
Your name will be struck of. You'll
never be able to get another job as
an extra. Come back, calm down.
and we'll forget the whole thing"
IT don't care If I am through at
Central Casting. I'm sick of being
an extra!"
"Okay, Livia," said Einfeld,