Evening star., 1948-04-15


Where better than Thursday
Take, for example, Mr.. Calhern's
lively tale of how it was that a
fellow of Director George Cukor's
ferocious individuality was absorbed
into Hollywood. How, in the course
Of time and events, Cukor was di-
vested of a natural streak of re-
belliousness and baptized into a
condition of reasonable conformity.
"Cukor," says the discriminating
Mr.. Calhern, is a fellow OF striking
talent and excellent taste. He al
ways has been. I've known him
since he was an assistant company
manager in productions was with.
He did not get much money in
those days, but what he did earn he
spent to satisfy discriminating
mind
HE lived then in the usual odd
hooks of theater people who got
virtually nothing for their energies
and talents 1t might be room
over a downtown delicatessen, a
grocery, or some place similarly un-
fashionable.
Wherever Cukor lived, however,
the place had one touch Of sound
luxurious taste. He sort of drama
tized his abode with striking pic
ture of similar decoration.
1T was apparent to all Of us who
knew him that he had taste for
what might be called. perhaps a
little extremely, 'voluptuous living.
1t was equally evident that he was
quite a dramatic human and high
ly gifted"
In the natural course of events,
Calhern recalls. Hollywood sent its
golden summons to Cukor.
And, just as naturally on the part
of a man who yearned for fine liv-
ing, Cukor answered.
~
"It turned out to be something
less than a case of love at first sight
between George and the movies"
Mr.. Calhern says. "As artistic tenn
peraments frequently go, Cukors
went at considerable variance with
M-G-M's basic ideas. He was ad-
mired by his executive colleagues,
but none of them fancied him as
easy to get along with.
However. in a tense fashion,
both the studio and Cukor pros
pered"
Mr.. Calhern is not prepared to
say which enjoyed the prosperity
the more. The material evidence,
however indicates that 1t might
we'll have been the mutinous di-
rector. At any rate, he began the
investment of his earnings in one
of the most elaborate palaces and
private parks in the movie capital.
The residence turned out to be a
dramatic masterpiece, its furnish
ings were sumptuous down to the
smallest paperweight, and the gar
dens were planted and ornamented
to suit the taste of an old-fashioned
Persian Shah.
Naturally" says Mr.. Calhern, "a
place like that called for house
warming, or palace warming, or
whatever it is called.
The chief guest was bne late
irving Thalberg. the most brilliant
executive head Metro ever has had.
Thalberg, of course, was the man
who had been chief strategist in
irving to make Cukor compliant,
more of a company man, you might
say.
well. he took one look at the
Cukor set-up. and smiled perhaps
the most satisfied smile in Holly
wood history
Then. turning to the assembled
guests. he waved his hand toward
the voluptuous set-up and passed
the judgement which Cukor will
never forget. His exact words as
they have been handed down from
mouth to mouth were: ANY man
who wants to live like this will have
to do what we tell him.
1t turned out to be not quite cor
rect. Not quite.
4
Bulletin Board: Supplementing
the Little's new spectacular offering,
ITO Live in Peace" will be only two
other fresh picture exhibits, both
set for opening today They
are the Warmers ITO the Ends of
the Earth" end Eddie Cantor's Gel
luloid biography. IF You Knew