OLD COLLEAGUES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1940, Page 9

OLD COLLEAGUES

AN INTERESTING MEETING. The reunion of former colleagues is a common enough circumstance on a Hollywood set, but the instance is rare in which two stars of a film meet, and one admits that the other is responsible for the stellar rank. That is what happened when the cast assembled at M.G.M. for the shooting of “Pride and Prejudice." Producer Hunt Stromberg greeted his stars, his party manners well in evidence, ready to effect an introduction. Laurence Olivier had been in Hollywood for some little time. Greer Garson was a compartive newcomer, hailed overnight for her work in "Goodbye. Mr Chips.” “Miss Garson,” said our Mr Stromberg, “meet . . ." and that was as far as he got. He found himself watching an enthusiastic reunion oif old friends. + “You see,” said Olivier in explanation, "I claim that I invented Greer Garson.” “He is certainly responsible for my career —if career it is to be," agreed “Mrs Chips.” "Having Larry for a friend is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me.” Five years ago, it transpired, Laurence Olivier had fought a battle with a doubting producer on Miss Garson’s behalf. At that time he was well known on the London stage. Greer Garson had just emerged from repertory work, and had only her wistful charm and substantial aspirations to recommend her. Her experience consisted of two seasons with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and one touring in Bernard Shaw’s “Too Good to be True.” During the latter the actress had the misfortune to develop a severe attack of tonsilitis. Lying sick and miserable at lodgings, Miss Garson reviewed her prospects, deciding, rather desperately, that it was London for her —or nothing. Almost it proved to be nothing. With a book of Press cuttings tucked under her arm, the Irish .actress presented her case at one office after another. She did not succeed in even displaying her red-haired, grey-eyed charm to a producer in person. Then a chance meeting with the novelist, Sylvia Thompson, brought her in contact with Olivier and success. The scene was the University Women’s Club —Greer Garson is a graduate of the London University. Miss Thompson had written her first play. Greer, she asserted, was exactly the

girl she had pictured for the lead. The role was that of a gay, high-spirited American girl. At rehearsals she found herself playing opposite Laurence Olivier, who was increasingly impressed with the sensitivity of her work. After rehearsals had been proceeding for a week complications arose. The producer did not share ■ Mr Olivier’s opinion of the talents of the unknown leading lady. In cojnmon with his kind, he felt the West End 1 audiences demanded a name. An unknown girl represented a risk that he could not justfy. Mr Olivier is not the man to have his judgments thus questioned. He made a determined stand, prompted, probably, by a judicious compounding of obstinacy and sincere admiration for his attractive colleague. If Miss Garson could not appear, he would not, he stated unquivocally. So Greer Garson played the role. The obvious conclusion to this story is that the play was a triumphant success and Miss Garson the toast of London. Unfortunately, the play folded up after a three weeks’ run. But, for the leading lady, it had worked the oracle. It had presented the chance for which she had been striving. Press notices of her work were unanimously pleasant. The first day’s shooting on “Pride and Prejudice” was the first time Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier had worked together since that three weeks’ season live years ago.