The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1944-01-20

citement afoot.
Everyone knew that Hollywood's
only woman director had been
signed by the studio month before,
but nobody thought it meant much.
Certainly even those close to Pro
Queer Joseph Fiberg didn't expect
this assignment.
Leona Farrell was Zenith's top
salaried player; the best of every
thing was considered hers by divine
right Yet here was this Dorothy
Adams-a near-unknown, sort of
freak, in fact-about to be turned
loose on the latest and greatest OF
La Farrell's super specials.
1t didn't seem reasonable, but no
one had the nerve to ask Fiberg dl-
rect questions.
The woman director was unmar-
red, about 80, and an attractive
redhead There Hollywood's def
mite knowledge of her ended.
She'd come from New York half
year ago, and since then had been
studying film technique at one of the
other studios Her private life had
simply remained private.
No scandals, no rumors, not even
a notable public appearance, had so
far marked her stay in the film cap
ital.
At first it was generally believed
that Leona Farrell would protest the
selection.
But nothing of the sort occurred;
on the day first rehearsals were
scheduled, the star appeared on
stage S and exchanged cordial
greetings with her new director.
Then for several hours Dorothy
Adams watched and heard Leona
Farrell while a dozen or so impor-
tant scenes were run through.
Surprising dizziness was evident in
the directors handling; her COM
ments and suggestions brought add
ed life to the dialogue.
Those who worked with her found
their admiration growing. Surely
this woman was no tyro and her
understanding of the Farrell tenn
permanent seemed thorough.
At last but one main sequence
remained unrehearsed.
1t was a major piece of footage
that came early in the script, estab-
fishing the first love of the character
played by Miss Farrell.
When Dorothy Adams called for
it, fresh buzz of interest arose.
Ralph Ormand, a new contract
player recently signed in New York,
had been named for this role oppo-
site the star.
He had arrived in Hollywood only
the day before; this was to be his
first studio appearance.
A page went to call Ormand from
his dressing room, and in a mo-
ment the actor came.
He was young-younger than most
of the observers had expected
probably not over 25. Yet his man.
ner was poised, urbane, and the
handsome, smooth-shaven face held
no hint of immaturity.
Dorothy Adams was turned away,
consulting with her assistant, when
he entered the set.
AS the sound of her voice reached
him, he paused and shade of puz-
Element came into his eyes.
Then she faced him, and no one
on that set could possibly have
missed the startled tension that ap-
peared in both their faces.
For Just an instant GREATNESS
silence prevailed, to be broken as
Ormand stepped forward with
queer little smile.
II believe he said in a slight
ly difident tone, that you were
ready for me?'
Before the words were ended, all
trace of emotion had left Dorothy
Adams. Matter-of-factly she nod
ded and told him:
Eyes, Mr.. Ormand; there's bit
I'd like you to rehearse with Miss
Farrell It's sequence A, scene 10.
He murmured assent.
The director turned her back
again and sat down.
From the small crowd of studio
workers rose a faint hum of Whis-
pered, and significant glances were
freely exchanged.
On the outskirts stood Louis Gar
rison, studio publicity director. He
had seen the moment of by-play in
that meeting and, with everyone
else, had realized at once that Doro-
thy Adams and the actor we're not
strangers. But, unlike the others,
his interest ran deeper than mere
thrill of curiosity.
ShreWd appraisal Of the situation
told him there was faint chance
of trouble ahead,
In the Woman's face he had
caught CLINT of bitter hurt, as if
at sudden memory of an old wound.
Chances were, Garrison reflected,
there had once been romance be-
tween the pair-a romance that Or
mand, not she, had ended. If So
well, "hell hath no fury ="
And Dorothy Adams was in a posi-
ton now to make or break the young
actor, so far as pictures were con-
cerned.
Garrison frowned. The thing
would certainly bear watching.
Rehearsal began again.
The scene involved only Ormand
and Leona Farrell. In the story's
early portion, the character she
played was an artist's model, and he
a successful young illustrator.