Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-20

y
fellow worker possibly could
to make me enjoy our task.
Work now was a tragic task
for me. It took every ounce of
courage I had to live through the
sequence of the film where ! had
left Off
In the picture. my lover had
gone TO war and been killed. Yet,
when the victorious soldiers re-
turned TO the village / went TO
see them. AS threw flowers
and waved. fighting TO be cheer
full over my tears, suddenly / saw
the man / loved He had not
been killed. as had thought -.
He had returned.-
If only that could have been
the truth about my own lost love
49,. but it was only make-believe!
And I had to remember that
things like that-eeHid only hap
pen in pictures.
Gradually during the day / be-
gan TO find escape. There were
sometimes successive minutes
when would not hear the haunt
ing d1rge.
went TO work in "Barbed
Wire" the story written by Hall
Game, as soon as Hotel I'm
perial" was finished. Give Brook
was my leading man and with
him l tried to reach new heights.
I seemed only to live before
the cameras and when they
stopped grinding at the end of
the day l went home and begged
TO be left alone with my men,
cries.
Mother did her best to break
me Of this morbid habit. She in
vted guests to dinner, for bridge
and backgammon. She tried not
to make me feel her disappoint-
ment when l begged to be eX-
cused from the parties.
I remember the afternoon when
| came home late and very tired
heard the gayest conversation
in French from the living room.
My mother loved to converse in
French, as she had not yet
learned To speak English with
ease. listened and thought that
this was indeed an occasion for
her. l thought, too. that her life
IN a strange country must be
lonely. l was selfish not TO take
part in the evenings she planned
with such care.
went into the living room, and
suddenly two tall, striking look
ing young men rose from their
chairs. They we're smiling and
waited politely for Mothers in
PRODUCTION TO me.
These are some new friends
l have just met, Pola. Mother
said Prince David Mdivani.
and Prince Serge Mdivani'
Serge Mdvani. I noticed, was
taller than David He was. I
thought, even by the Hollywood
pattern, one Of the most hand
some specimens OF manhood I
had ever seen. His eyes were
so dark and his hair a FURNISHED
brown. He held my hand and
his smile flashed in even white
contrast with his sun-toned
skin
The health OF outdoors was all
about him. He had brought it
with him into the room, into tho
whole house. But l felt most
grateful 10 him for bringing such
cheer TO my mothers face.
She sat there at the bridge
table. where Serge and David had
been playing cards with her.
"Oh, Miss Negri," Serge said
as I turned TO leave. May I
add my congratulations to all
the rest ,"
Congratulations for what ?"
Your performance in Hotel
Imperial ! went TO the pre-
mierc last night and I agree
with the critics
"Pola" Mother exclaimed. Il
didn't know your picture was pre-
miered last night! Why didn't
you tell me, dear?"
I saw the concern cross her
eyes, but she looked quickly to-
ward the Mdivanis. She was
reaching 10 them for help-to
help her out of the awkward sit
uation. She had not intended TO
voice disapproval OF me 1t
wasn't that. She did not want
me ever to feel she disapproved.
l saw it in the movement Of her
lips, the wrinkles by her eyes.
Serge Mdivani seemed TO sense
her need and as if he had regis