Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 1, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 March 1936 — Page 13

MARCH 12, 1036

GARBO THE MYSTERIOUS

Chapter II GRETA’S FIRST PICTURE GRETA left school at the age of 14. She realized how hopelessly inadequate her tiny earnings were. But though tall for her age, she was still a shy. awkward child, and it needed all the courage she could muster to walk Into Stockholm's biggest department store and present her petition. A clerk wrote her name and address in a big book, and said if the’-o were any opening she would be notified by post, and a couple of morn'ngs later—sure enough—the postman brought a letter from Bergstrom’s saying she should report immediately. This stroke of good luck came on her fifteenth birthday, Sept. 8, 1920. At first her duties differed in no way from those of all other beginners. She had to run errands, to carry messages between showroom and workroom, to deliver orders, and to wait upon those superior beings, the sales ladies, while they waited upon customers. The atmosphere of the store was warm and friendly. Greta was quick to grasp that different customers needed different methods of approach. Bhe liked the task; it did not seem to her laborous. “I never had to think about it,” she says. “Somehow the right way of tackling a customer always seemed to come of itself.” Technical details always escaped her. She could not tell the difference between satin and crepe de chine and the various “plaits” were just Greek to her. Still, there was always plenty of variety in the big shop. Her responsibility grew so that she had to concentrate all the time on salesmanship. And what did she think about? The theater, of course! tt a ‘ \\J E °^ f>n walked home to- ▼ V gether," says Edith Huldgren, ttlP cashier, who was Greta's best girl friend at (he time. Dt ottningatan is a very long street; then you cross the bridge, walk past the Rikstag and theßoyai Palace, and dive into Soder. We both lived in that quarter. Greta told me from the very first that she wanted to be an actress. “She didn’t want to talk about anything else and s he only time she ever referred to her work at the shop was when she told me about an actress who had come in to choose hats! That happened now and then, and i! always made Greta very excited. The theater was the only thing that seemed to interest her. She knew all the stars by name. "I think she sometimes went to Ihe theater, sitting in the gallery, but, I gathered that very few of the performances she saw came up to her previous expectation. She expected really too much!” Yet. though a stage career would have fulfilled all her dreams, there were no indications that it would ever be within her reach. Everything pointed to her being settled at Bergstrom's for life,

IT was the custom of the house to issue an illustrated catalog every year. When the spring catalog appeared in 1921, it contained five hat illustrations, photographed on a pretty young model. The model was Greta Gustafsson. When the head saleswoman of the millinery department was asked to show the advertising manager five hats suitable for illustration she called the new apprentice over to put them on. The advertising manager was so pleased with the effect that he thought it a pity to separate the hats from the face. So the wearer was immortalized in his illustrated guide to buyers. Greta felt delighted at this little step in the world, esp- cially as she was given to understand that her services would be more extensively required on similar occasions in future. it was not long before her qualifications were put to a further test. One day, the advertising manager arrived in the shop with a big blustering kindly individual whom he introduced ns Capt. Ragnar Ring. Word went around that this was the great Ragnar Ring of an important advertising film company. It soon leaked out that Capt. Ring had been commissioned to make a film of the store. Real actors and actresses had been engaged for the principal parts, but there was much excitement among the shop personnel because Capt. Ring might choose one or other of them to play minor roles in the picture. u a CAPT. RING went through the various departments, choosing items here and there, arranging nVF3VTann| Tomorrow Night 13 JiPUHbI **• Mt. and Night @M£CT FIOM 2 TEAM IN NEW YMK ANN 3 MONTHS IN CHICAM MAX OOROON pr—a■t WALTER HUSTON PERSONALLY IN SINCLAM LEWIS VOOSWORTH dramatized ar Sidney mowadd Even., SSe to *5.75. Mat., SJo to *5.50 Including Tax. grata now on Rale. 3 Days, Coni. Thnrs., March 19 Matinee Saturday 3SKB Eves., 53c, ft.lo, $1.63, $2.20 Sat. Mat., 55c, sl.lO, $1.65 Inc. Tax Seats Now Tonight at 8:15 FEDERAL PLAYERS "TURN TOM RIGHT" I Night Price*: lie. 25c. 40c I I Saturday Matinee; 10c, 20c. .VOe | —Phoae I.incoln #ooo— Week—" The Kcosirr Schoolmauler"

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Still in her teens, Greta Garbo from schoolgirl, shopgirl, millinery model and later participant in a short commercial film, suddenly emerged to be chosen for a role in a real full-length picture. She was one of three bathing beauties, all of whom are pictured above, with Greta at the extreme right. The title of the photoplay was “Peter the Tramp.”

scenes and planning effects. He had almost finished with the millinery when the advertising manager, who liked Greta and really wanted to do a good turn, brought her forward and introduced her. Blushing and shy, Greta made her little curtsey; but Capt. Ring was not impressed. He had his professionals and many other details to think of. He was not so very keen to use the amateur talent the shop provided. Next day, however, there was a sudden opening for an “extra,” and Ring remembered the tall, blond girl with the pretty profile in the millinery department. It was true that the episode for which he needed her was comic in character. That did not matter. The captain’s pride in his store picture was justified, for it soon led to orders for similar films by other concerns, and Greta was promised a chance in all of them. She had, in short, been “discovered.” tt tt tt THREE producers claim the distinction of “discovering” Greta. Taking them in correct order, Ragnar Ring merits the first place. Then every one knows that Maurice Stiller “made” the Great Greta. But Eric Petschler also played an important part in shaping her career. Her first meeting with Petschler was one of those romantic epi-

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sodes which seem almost unreal when set down in cold print. One fine evening in summer Herr Director Eric Petschler was taking a walk along the Vassagatan. He had a film in process of casting, and there were several problems that needed thinking out, so his mind was busy as he strolled along. He intended to call the picture “Peter the Tramp,” and its motto was to be “Real life is stranger than fiction.” The scenario was written, the locations had been chosen and the cast engaged—all but one person. The film was to be on bathing girl lines. The heroines were the three daughters of a Lord Mayor; and so far Petschler had only engaged two of them—Tyra Ryman and Irene Zetterberg. The third was missing. “We must find a sweet girl for this part,” he thought to himself; but it was not an easy task at this time of the year, when all the professional actresses had their plans already made for the season. HIS walk had by this time brought him to a show shop, and he stopped to look in the window. Presently he became aware of someone standing beside him, and glancing around, his eyes rested o?i one of the most perfect profiles he had ever seen. It belonged to a rather cheaply

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES .

but neatly dressed little midinette with a hat box slung over her arm. Suddenly she became aware of his intense gaze. With a scornful glance and a toss of her blond head she turned and walked quickly away, leaving the director, who was a rather timid man, considerably crushed. Days went by, and Petschler’s problem seemed no nearer solution. On the very eve of starting the picture, he called at Bergstrom's to leave some sketches for costumes. Hats were required, too, and Tyra Ryman went with him to help him choose them. Greta did some quick thinking. She recognized him at once as the stranger of the Vassagatan, and when she learned who he was, she regretted her impetuous haughtiness. Still, she could not sum up courage enough to speak to him. He went at last, leaving Tyra behind to have some small alterations made. Then Greta seized her opportunity. She asked the actress if Herr Petschler could ever possibly have any use for a girl like herself. Miss Ryman, who knew the hole the director was in, with a production starting and an important role still unfilled, advised Greta to ring him up and ask for an appointment. tt tt tt NEXT day at lunch time a timid little voice came on the ’phone to Petschler’s office. Greta explained her wish, and was given an appointment. She arrived in good time, after her day’s work, and in a rather childish way recited a little poem she had learned at school. The director was not at all impressed with the performance, but what he did like was the way Greta carried herself, and that, for a silent film, was of course far more important. So he premised to give her a trial in the part, and everything was fixed up to Greta’s complete satisfaction. But next day the reaction came. The whole thing was “off ’ because Bergstrom’s could not see their way to let her off for a month. Now that it was put to a real test, Greta’s courage asserted itself. They would not meet her wishes? Very well, then she would throw up her job! A contract from Herr Petschler, with a salary of 10 kroner a day for the making of the film, seemed

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HER TRUE STORY By ELISABETH VON CAUB

to her a reasonably good exchange. An official of Bergstrom’s gave me their version of the story. “We felt the time had come to act firmly," he said. “Miss Gustafsson was a very promising young lady, and we felt sorry to lose her. We had been more than satisfied with the way she worked. But we mistrusted all this film acting. We thought that it divided her attention too much. , A girl whose heart is not wholly in her w-ork during horns is of no use to us. “Apart from the distraction of an outside interest, which would have set the whole place into excitement, Miss Gustafsson’s absence would have started a very bad precedent. Besides, we wanted her to realize the seriousness of the situation once and for all. So we told her she must choose—either to give up this idea, or leave us altogether.” * RETA took the plunge without hesitation. Her one worry was the way her mother might like it. She knew how Fru Gustafsson clung to the security which a position at Bergstrom’s seemed to represent. If Fru Gustafsson had doubts, however, she very wisely kept them to herself. Greta, she said, knew’ best where she belonged, and what she wanted to do. The outcome lay in the hands of Providence. She would pray that all might turn out for the best. After that she never referred to the matter again. Greta settled down to her new occupation very happily. In a short time she felt as much at home among her new colleagues as if she had known them all her life. Herr Petschler’s memory of her at this time is that of a plump, healthy girl, rather roguish, fond of outdoor life and sports, especially swimming, and filled with the joy of life. All these new and delightful experiences sent her spirits soaring sky-high. When in repose, she would sometimes look a little sad, and a f?:-away, dreamy look would come into her eyes. But Herr Petschler could not quite make out how much of this was due to some inward depression, or how much it was a pose. It seemed as if she w T as deliberately adopting an expression she had admired in someone else and

she could shake off this mournful mood very quickly. In all respects she was a very normal, natural young girl, with a large appetite and a weakness for sweets! tt a tt WHEN the interior scenes had been “shot” in Stockholm, Herr Petschler conveyed . his little company to one of the seaside resorts in the archipelago for outdoor .water scenes and they got ready for a grand time! Like a kid “uncle” he installed the girls in the smartest hotel on Dalaro. Still, work came first. There was no time for flirting or frivolity. Greta always wanted to plunge into the sea at once as soon as she donned her bathing suit, but it was necessary for the purposes of the picture that the suits should be photographed in all their pristine freshness, before being immersed! That produced a few little pouts and grumbles; but there were many compensations to come, and altogether the making of the picture proved a delightful holiday for Greta. Although she worked hard all the time, it set her up in health, and helped to make her more confident in herself. She had now quite made up her mind to become a professional actress. And with this end in view she went to Herr Petschler for advice. He himself had no further pictures in view at that moment and he told her she had no technique! That could only be picked up by years of experience, unless she went to a dramatic school to learn her job. He advised her to consult his own old teacher, Franz Enwall, who would give her a few valuable points, and tell her how to set about preparing to enter for a scholarship at the academy attached to the Royal Dramatic Theater—the school through which almost all Swedish actors and actresses of note have passed. (Copyright. 1936, by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.) TOMORROW—Greta Gets a New Name. Married 25 Years Helen Broderick, droll comedienne of “Love on a Bet,” says that the most important thing she has done is remain married to the same man, Lester Crawford, for 25 years.

Miss Oberon j Praised for Movie Voice Freddie Bartholomew Also Honored for Quality of His Diction. By United Prrs * HOLLYWOOD, March 12.—Two English film players, dark-haired Merle Oberon and 11-year-old Freddie Bartholomew, recently were refected by a group cf experts as having the best voices and diction on i the screen. The selections were made by Dean Ray K. Immel and Dr. Grafton P. Tanquary of the University of Southern California School of Speech and Josephine Dillon Gable, former wife of Clark Gab!e and prominent dramatics instructor. Others named as having “superior” diction were Walter Huston, Julie Hayden, Fredric March, Norma Shearer, Franchot Tone, Anne Shirley, Leslie Howard and Rochelle Hudson. Miss Oberon’s pleasing voice registration” led the judges to select her as having flawless diction, while young Freddie Bartholomew was said to display “the ultimate in training.”

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WEST SIDE Srr rwi p 2*02 '.V. loth SL I \ I It Double Feature 1 * * Ronald Colman “THE MAN WHO BROKE THE BANK AT MONTE CARLO” npi w. Wash. A Belmont RRLMONT Double Feature ULiLHIVin A Herbert Marshall “IF YOU COULD ONLY COOK” "TOO TOUGH TO KILL” a ■' o%T 2 r >4o W. Mich. SL A \ V Double Feature ** 1 ° 1 Edward Arnold “CRIME AND PUNISHMENT” “THIS IS THE LIFE” NORTH SIDE Ri fwy m Illinois at 34th 11/. Double Feature 1 " Gene Raymond “SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE” “POWDER SMOKE RANGE” UPTOWN “BIG BROADCAST OF 1936” “PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER” pi inn i/yi/ 30th and Illinois GARRICK STS.'ass “HIS NIGHT OUT” “HARMONY LANE” rim /ii a fwu St. Clair A Ft. Wayne SI IiLAIK Double Feature “■* * vlMtll' Warne' Baxter "KING OF BURLESQUE” “MARY BURNS. FUGITIVE” nrv 3Ath at North w’t’n. KkX Miriam Hopkins Joel McCrea "SPLENDOR” , Comedy—News nil In/ \ ryvp Talbot A 22nd IALBOII Double r “ ta,( M. i a a Fredric March “DARK ANGEL” “SHE COULDVT TAKE IT” m . . e j 19th A College StratkOrd Double Feature uuuuuiu j MB Crawford “I LIVS MY LIFE” “srx ftAY TIKE RIDER” Mn pi n • Noble A Mass. L Li Li A Doable ret#r ‘ ‘ Carol Lombard “HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE” "WOMAN WANTED” nnn a a a 2361 Station St. l/KEAM Fredric Mareh Norma Shearer “SMILIN' THROUGH” Chap. "ROARING WEST”—Short Reels EAST SIDE RIVOLI "iSSKST ’ v Private Slack’s “FOUR ACES” “MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION^ TUXEDO _ “NAVY WIFE” “BREWSTER’S MILUOIM”

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WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOLLO “The Cbuntrv Doctor.” starring the Dionne qutntUD’.et*. with Jean Hersholt and Dorothy Peterson, at 11:12, 1:18. 3:35. 5:31. 1: 38 end 8:45. CIRCLE "Anything Goes.” arith Charlie Rubrics and Bing Crosbv. at 11:03. 2:50. <3O and 10 15. Also "Captain Blood." with Errol Flvnn. at 12:50. 4:35 and 8:15. INDIANA "Follow the Fleet." with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, at 11. 1.10. 3 20. 5 30. 7:40 and 9 50. KEITHS "Turn to the Right. ’ with Federal Players cast under the direction of Charles Berkell. Tonight at 8.15. LOEWS "Little Lord Fauntlerov.” with Freddie Bartholomew, at 11.05. 1:15. 3:27. 5 38. 7:49 and 10. LYRIC Eddie Peabodv with vaudeville on stage at 12:50. 3.34. 6:29 and 9:19. On the screen. "Tha Prisoner of Shark Island." with Warner Baxter and Gloria Stuart, at 11. 1:55. 4:39. 7:34 and 10:24. OHIO “Broadway Hostess.” with Winl Shaw and Phil Regan, at 10:53. 1 25. 3:53, 6.25 and 8:53 Also No Other Woman" at 12:02. 2:32, 5:02. 7.32 tnd 10:02

'WkteA GEORGE? — ——————

EAST^SIDE m i a 2112 E. Wash. St. VACOMA R'S&'fiSS? “SMILIN’ THROUGH” IR VI N G “*l~ “Vw “• a is vs Burns A Allen "BIG BROADCAST OF 1936” Comedy—Cartoon riiuno/wi ids* f. foth st. EMERSON D l oub|e atre James Carney “THE FRISCO KID” “BRIDE COMES HOME” HAMILTON teASSST ‘ KaMJ * Claudette Colbert "THE BRIDE COMES HOME” “THE MAN WHO BROKE THE BANK AT “MONTE CARLO” P A R K E R W£T “STARS OVER BROADWAY” "LAST OUTPOST” STR A N D •Toe E. Brown “BRIGHT LIGHTS” “WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND’* RA V V 2721 E - Wash. StT" U A I B r *wln Nirht Frankie Darrow “LITTLE MAN” “DIZZY DAMES” Paramount 4,1 *• *• *• *• Surprise Nirht TWO GIANT FEATURES Will Rarer* “STEAMBOAT ROUND THE BEND** Preston Foster—Doretbv Wilson “THE LAST DAYS OF POMrEU’* Pins These Special Attractions “HILLBILLY’S WAY UP THAR” Chan. 13 "ROARING WEST” AUDIOSCOPIKS—Third Dimension Film m Sensatlou^ SOUTH SIDE FOUNTAIN SQUARE Double Feature Edward E. Horton "HER MASTER'S VOICE” "BURNING _GOLD” J* p a tinrno At Fountain Squaru SANL/EKS Double Feature ° Charles Farrell * “FIGHTING YOUTH” "BREWSTER'S MILLIONS” A\T * I ai Prospect-Churehma'S VAL() l\ Double Feature T a L VII Marraret SnUiraa “SO RED THE ROSE” "EAR FOR MUSIC” ORIENTAL "V.,i m bh±.” **■ Arlene Judge “SHIP CAFE” GARFIELD “THE PAYOFF" Comedy—New*—Cartoon