My Library

GLORIA SWANSON On the morning of July 15, Lucille Kahn telephoned. "Gloria Swanson wants to meet you. She has always been interested in psychic developments. Can you come to my apartment tomorrow night?" It turned out that Lucille and Gloria as young, aspiring actresses had been close friends back in the days of Old Broadway. Lucille abandoned her acting career to marry David Kahn; Gloria had gone on to Hollywood -- thence to become THE Gloria Swanson of tremendous and worldwide fame -- and later the mistress of Joseph Kennedy when he was ambassador to Great Britain. "Gloria is very careful and particular about food, you know," Lucille went on, "because she nearly died from eating mercury-laden fish in Portugal. I’m getting the freshest fish and strawberries. I’ll call you back later with your instructions." "Instructions?" "Well, yes. You have to collect her at the theater and bring her to my apartment." I had only $40 to my name, not enough to hire a car to stand by. Then there was the problem of WHAT TO WEAR since the weather was hot as Hades and I was fatter than ever. I finally decided on a nice suit made of good blue denim. I had to let out the pants a little. But I struggled into all of this, and in the theater district found a taxi and explained the situation to him. He agreed to stand by with the meter running. I then proceeded to follow my instructions -- which were harrowing. I had to report to the stage manager of the play BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE in which Swanson had the lead role. I