The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-01-23
Andrea Leeds, Jane Bryan
Won't Return To Film StardOm
BY BOB THOMAS

generally take a second glance at
1.-The beautiful brunette who has
waited on them. They seem to
think they have seen her before.
She is Andrea Leeds, one of
Hollywood's finest young dramatic
actresses in the late 1905. Now the
wife of automotive and horse rae
ing heir Bob Howard, she disap-
peared from films a dozen years
ago.
While visiting this desert resort
on midwinter vacation, l sought
her for chat. The reason: She
is one of the rare film stars who
has retired from the screen voIun-
tarily.
Film stars often retire" but
usually. because Of involuntary
forces like i'll health or - more
often-an apathetic audience. Miss
Leeds case was different. She quit
when she was in demand as an
actress.
Another notable example-which
she and | recalled simultaneously
was Jane Bryan, who gave up a
promising film career to wed Jus
tin Dart, the drugstore magnate.
Neither Miss Leeds nor Miss
Bryan has succumbed to blandish-
ments to return to the cameras
and grease paint. Both have stuck
to their chosen careers as wives
and mothers.
l asked Miss Leeds (perhaps I
should call her Mrs. Howard) if
she ever missed the movie life.
Hardly at ALL" she replied.
'The only time l think about being
an actress is when / see movie
that has a good part in it. l think
to myself, How would have liked
to play that rolel'"
The onetime actress, strikingIy
beautiful in her mid-3Os, still re-
ceives film offers. The only time
she was really tempted was when
she read that Dark Victory" was
going to be remade. She said she
felt like offering her services to
the producers. There was a reason
for her eagernesS.
Back in the '30s, Ozark Victory"
was flop when played on Broad
way by Tallulah Bankhead. But
Andrea saw possibilities in the
story and did condensed version
on the old Charlie Mccarthy Don
Ameche air show. The adaptation
brought film interest, and she
urged her boss, Sam Goldwyn. to
buy 1t for her. But Warmers
snapped it up. and the story gave
Bette Davis one of her greatest
roles.
Mrs. Howard, who won an AGA
DENY nomination for Stage Door"
in 1887, bowed out of pictures in
1910, Her last film was Earth
bound" with Warner Baxter.
II made the picture after had
been married to Bob.'s she re-
marked. Il had to leave the house
early in the morning and came
home late at night. realized that
couldn't have an acting career
and marriage and do 3 good job
Of both. Then l had two children
in a short space Of time and had
| plenty TO keep me busy"
The children are Bob Jr.. IL,
and Leeann, who viii be ii in
March. Eighteen months ago,
Howard, whose family owned Sea.
biscuit and other racing greats.
sold his auto agency in Beverly
Hills and bought a hotel in Palm
Springs. He remodeied the place.
tagged il Howard Manor and made
Il one Of the top showplaces on
the desert.
The hotel also provided q new
career for nae," Mrs. Howard said.
Since the children were az an age
when they didn't need as mueh
attention. / needed something to
keep me nasy. | hsd alva avs en.
ioyed shopping soE gifts. 50 +
opened my own STA shop in TIE
hosel1
She named Tire shop Andrea {