Evening star., 1945-02-08

of Going My Way" Peck gives one
OF the most impressive performances
of the season.
1t is quiet, laconic, liberal, and
altogether effective and If the actor
misses the distinction which goes
with the character he portrays, 1t
will not be his fault.
In Days of Glory" he had small
chance. In his next picture, which
is booked for the Palace, he has
every chance. If ever a player made
the most of such an opportunity,
Peck is the one.
He will end up as the next Gary
Cooper, the difference in his favor
being that he is more versatile.
X \
The analyst SO disposed could
make point with reference to the
probable success of Peck, namely,
that the male movie performer
bound for popularity must be a
good, or virtuous character, while
the woman bound for the same goal
can be Lauren Bacall In second
rate Hemingway script such as ITO
Have or Have Not"
Beyond question, Miss Bacall's
position is established by the follow
ing story, written by Florence Feiler
of North American Newspaper AL
lance, dated New York:
Il don't feel like siren" Miss
Bacall murmurs coyly, lowering
her head and peering up with
that long, sultry look. Sirens
just stink around in black gowns
I prefer naturalness, sport
clothes, my own quiet circle of
friends"
Miss Bacall, draped in a
breathleSs black dress, rises from
her chair and sinks toward the
door to retrieve an envelope that
Is edging its way into the room.
GA Mr.. Humphrey Bogart lives
in suite directly above Miss
Bacall's0 The note is examined
carefully and a slight frown
crosses the actress face. She
bats down that unasked question
with slow blaze of words:
And what's more, I intend to
keep my private life private"
The question shivers and hides
behind vase. That's one thing
that's going to stay the same as
before. But everything else was
changed and it's wonderful, ex-
citing-I love it!
High school friends have
phoned, but we haven't met yet
because the studio has arranged
so many appointments for me-"
she says. I'm afraid they think
my excuse Is phony, but they
should know I wouldn't change"
The smouldering green-eyed
blond hasn't had time even to
visit her old headquarters,
drugstore in the Times Square
area, where only two years ago
she used to plot tactics for snar-
ing theatrical roles. Her ap-
proach was a direct question for
job whenever she tagged a pro-
ducer on the street.
You had to be brazen to get
any attention" Lauren explains.
TT did get results, too. But last
night I had to laugh when a
Broadway producer, as a joke,
came over meekly and asked for
my autograph. You see, he
turned me down when I was In
New York.
Right now at 20, I feel
younger than I used to. At Is,
I felt pretty mature because I
had my high school diploma
then. The ushering, modelling
and acting began soon after
ward. The first time I ever
sang, though, was in the movies
don't have much of a voice."
she confides.
It'd be nice to visit alone
places I used to know, but it'd
be a little daring now to walk
around here by myself. Such
crowds Of people seem to follow
me and I'm not used to being
followed" She leans against the
chair and f1ips her lank, tawny
hair over the edge. They're
mostly teen-agers with quite a
number of older women, too. OF
course, while back 1 might
have earned a masculine whistle
or two, but nothing like this"
she adds demurely.
The two telephones are ringing
constantly and restless press
agents stalk around the suite.
Lauren Bacall, the torrid tempt
er, lifts an expressive shoulder
and repeats huskily, Nope, moth
ing like this!"