The Silver Screen

by The Silver Screen (retail) (epub)

  “Miss,” Rosie handed Kate her evening bag and wrap.

  Kate blinked, releasing the sentimental thoughts. “Thanks, Rosie. I appreciate all your help.”

  Rosie’s fresh Irish face glowed pink. “Not at all, Miss. It’s my pleasure. I hope you enjoy the evening.”

  “Me too,” Kate said.

  The chauffeured car carried the four of them through the streets of Los Angeles. Kate found it nearly impossible to recognize the area at night. Jack mentioned the Holmby Hills earlier, which helped Kate to realize they were heading west. But before she could guess where they were, the car slowed, turning right through two tall white lantern pillars joining the line of arriving cars that moved up the red brick paved entrance. A grand white two story colonial house was at the top of the drive. Kate watched the stream of elegant couples stepping out of amazing vintage cars, but it was the flashbulbs of the press that jolted Kate as their car inched closer to the home’s entrance.

  Tilly, seeing Kate’s concerned expression, said, “Don’t worry, darling. They are fairly civilized, the press, at these private events.”

  “I was just . . .” Kate paused. “I guess I never really thought about it. About having to deal with the press.”

  Jack interjected, “It’s going to be okay. I will handle questions for both of us.”

  Kate didn’t fight Jack on this point. “Okay,” she agreed.”

  When Jack added, “The real problems are with Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons.”

  “Oh, perish the thought,” Tilly said. “Those two should be hogtied like in your American westerns.”

  Everyone laughed, but Kate recalled a few comments her mother had made, that they ruled Hollywood with an iron hand. But before Kate could dwell on the uneasy feeling of running into either of them, the car came to a slow stop at the home’s main entrance. It was showtime.

  * * *

  Jimmy, true to his word, met Hawk at the end of the block outside the Beverly Wilshire. They had fallen into an easy conversation about Hollywood and Hawk let Jimmy ramble on about the movie stars, current gossip. He had hidden his modern camera and equipment in his backpack, deciding to only reveal it when they were taking shots of the celebrities. Anyway, his eyes were going to be only on one person, Kate, who was bound to be with Jack Baldwin, of course. He gathered, listening to Jimmy, Hollywood was still Hollywood. The gossip, the sneaking around, snapping celebrity photos, not much had changed. Jimmy’s words cut into Hawk’s thoughts as he looked for a place to park.

  “You know,” Jimmy said, “the real problem is with the dragon goddesses.”

  “Dragon goddesses?” Hawk repeated.

  “Yup. Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper. They hold huge power over the film industry. They can make and break careers.”

  “I’ve heard of them. Not good.” Hawk said.

  “Not good is calling it short, my friend. I wouldn’t want to be at the pearly gates when they try to explain their actions.”

  “Well, yeah. Me neither.” Hawk said.

  Suddenly Jimmy swerved, finding a place to park and said, “We’ve got to hurry. They have already started arriving.”

  Hawk grabbed his backpack and sprinted after Jimmy through the side entrance.

  “Okay now. Just keep next to me and you will be fine. The trick is to be friendly with the actors. Most times they are nice and stop to say hello.”

  Hawk agreed and nodded, “Got it.” Of course, in his time, the movie stars would also be friendly and talked, but their handlers limited them. Hawk stood back as he watched the stream of beautiful people arrive. There was a certain aura of class and elegance. Not that he really cared, but it wasn’t around much in his time; now, here it was in his face, and he wondered idly what had gotten lost through the cracks in time?

  “Look alive.” Jimmy said. “Here they come.”

  Hawk, whose glance had strayed, snapped front and center as he recognized a car door opening and Tilly, the British lady, and her husband, the tall blonde gentleman, and then Jack Baldwin. Jackpot, he thought. Jack exited the car and turned to extend a hand assisting Kate as she stepped from the vehicle. For the barest of seconds, Hawk felt his heart lurch at the sight of her stunning beauty. Here she was in 1939 and you would have never guessed she didn’t belong here. She fit right in.

  “Miss Tilly,” Jimmy grinned. “So nice to see you.”

  Archie nodded in his direction. “Oh, thank you, Jimmy. You are so kind. A photo?”

  “Of course.”

  Tilly and Archie stood arm in arm for the perfect Hollywood photo. “Thank you. We hope you enjoy your evening.”

  “Oh, we hope to.” And Tilly and Archie turned towards

  the entrance of the house as Jack stepped forward followed by Kate.

  Hawk’s palms were starting to sweat. This was really up close and personal. He had to be so careful not to blow it.

  “Mr. Baldwin,” Jimmy grinned. “Jack, please.”

  “Nice to see you, Jimmy. Are you in town for a long time?”

  “No. Maybe a week or two. That’s it this time.” Hawk’s eyes wandered. What was happening in two weeks?

  “Who’s with you tonight?” Jimmy asked.

  Jack put his arm around Kate’s waist, sending her heart into a sudden flutter. “My friend, Kate Clifton, just visiting from New York.”

  “What a lovely gown, Miss Clifford. Who designed it?”

  “Orry-Kelly.” Jack jumped in as Kate smiled. But her eyes wandered to the other photographers that were in range. And then she saw him. She thought I know this guy. I’ve seen him before. Recognizing Hawk from the photographer that chased her outside the Wilshire Hotel. But it was more than that. How could she know him? Unless . . .

  But before she could find a reasonable answer, Jimmy asked, “A photo?”

  “Certainly.” Jack replied. And they posed again for one more photo.

  Jimmy turned to Hawk saying, “You could have a photo too.”

  But Jack looked at him suddenly and recognized him, and Hawk said, “Oh, sorry. My camera jammed.” And he bent down, pulling the hat forward, hoping that Jack Baldwin hadn’t seen him. Oh, shit. Hawk knew he was in trouble, because he knew Jack Baldwin had seen him.

  But Jimmy, completely unaware, said, “It’s okay. You go ahead. It’s nice seeing you.”

  And Jack said, “Thanks,” and they moved on.

  Hawk looked up at Jimmy, “Sorry, man. It looks like my camera really jammed here.” But when Jimmy had turned away he whipped out his camera and took a few parting shots of Kate and Jack Baldwin.

  When there was a break in the celebrities, Jimmy turned around and said, “Where did you get your camera? I’ve never seen anything like that.”

  Thinking fast on his feet, Hawk said, “Some new-fangled camera designed in Europe, I think. Decided to give it a try, but jammed on me.”

  “Too bad,” Jimmy said.

  “Yeah.” Hawk replied. As Jimmy turned back to photographing the next celebrities, Hawk decided he would have to move out of the Beverly Wilshire. Things were obviously getting way too sticky.

  Kate entered the grand house. She felt like she was entering a magnificently designed movie set. The sweeping staircase that she almost expected Bette Davis or Joan Crawford to come sweeping down. It was beautifully situated and carved. There were several black servants with trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres that moved easily through the river of arriving people. Fresh flowers perfumed the air and Kate couldn’t help but smile. It was such an incredible experience.

  “Champagne, Miss?”

  Kate nodded, but it was Jack that reached out securing two fluted glasses of champagne, handing one to her.

  “Thanks.”

  Jack nodded, a small smile flickered over his face. Clearly, Kate was enjoying herself. “You know, Sonja Henie designed this hous
e.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “I don’t think people entertain much anymore like this.”

  “True. Different times, different styles.”

  Kate nodded, scanning the beautiful artwork and then the faces of celebrities. Some she recognized, others she did not. But it was the woman in the most outrageous hat that made her turn to Jack and ask, “Who is that? The hat lady?”

  “That is Hedda Hopper.”

  “The dragon lady?” Tilly remarked.

  “Yes. And she’s heading our way.”

  Tilly and Archie saw her baring down on them and scattered like little mice.

  “Jack Baldwin, back in Hollywood for a while?” She said. But before he could answer she gave Kate the once over with uncommonly shrewd eyes. “And who do we have here?”

  “A friend from back east visiting.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she’s a friend,” alluding to an intimate relationship. “What is your name, honey?”

  Kate felt her throat dry. The woman made her feel like she was an eagle about to get her talons into her. “Kate. Kate Clifford,” she managed to say. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hopper.”

  Hedda paused for a moment. She did not know the name or the girl. And as if coming to the conclusion she wasn’t worth dissecting, she realized she had bigger fish to fry tonight. “Yes, well, I must go now. Bye.” And she turned on her heel. She gave Kate one more piercing look before becoming enveloped in the river of arriving guests.

  “Why do I have the impression I just barely escaped being fried alive by that woman?”

  Jack chuckled. “You did. She can be a very difficult and vicious woman.”

  Kate shook her head. “Bad karma everywhere.”

  “No kidding,” Jack agreed.

  Just then, a petite blonde-haired woman signaled Jack and headed in their direction. Kate recognized handsome Tyrone Power following her, and she realized it was her hostess, Sonja Henie. As she greeted Jack warmly, Kate felt her vibrant personality. She had a nice face, would be called perky in 1999, and Kate felt though she was short, she had a big personality.

  “Ty, you know Jack Baldwin.”

  “Yes. Good to see you again.” The men shook hands. But it was all Kate could do not to gape at the very handsome Tyrone Power. He was not very tall, but had a special presence. She remembered enjoying a film he made recently in 1939; The Rains Came with Myrna Loy and George Brent. A personal favorite.

  “This is my friend, Kate.” Jack said.

  “So nice to meet you.” Sonja smiled. You instantly felt her personal power, but equally her genuine warmth.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too. Your home is beautiful.”

  Sonja grinned. “Thank you. I do love the house. Ty, this is Kate.”

  He reached out to shake her hand as Kate’s smile grew. Everyone was so polite and well mannered, something you didn’t see much in her time.

  “Oh, I must dash. Everyone seems to be arriving at once.” And Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power quickly moved into the arriving guests.

  Jack bent down and whispered in Kate’s ears, “They met in 1937 doing a film called Thin Ice. Hollywood would love to see them married, but not happening. She will marry a millionaire, Dan Topping.

  “Interesting. She seems nice, but I feel that there is a force inside of her. She gets what she wants.”

  “Good observation.” Jack said. “I have always enjoyed her, but I don’t interact much with her when I’m here.”

  Kate nodded. They had moved into another part of the house. A round room with windows that overlooked the outside pool and grounds. A grand piano was at one end in use as she spotted Archie and Tilly in a singalong. She recognized the tunes, but the lyrics were altogether different. Very salty and naughty, to say the least, which brought waves of laughter from the group around the piano.

  Tilly and Archie came towards them. “I thought we had lost you in the mob.” Tilly said.

  “No. After we managed to escape Hedda we had a little visit with Sonja and Ty.”

  “I’m sorry we abandoned you. Keeping off Hedda’s radar is a must.”

  Kate chuckled. She then said, “I think I need to go powder my nose.”

  And Jack said, “Don’t be gone long,” as she moved in the direction of the powder room.

  The groups of people seemed to suddenly shift as Kate paused and looked across the crowded room. Then she saw him. It was Humphrey Bogart. Her heart beat faster as she watched him smoothly navigate out the doors to the patio without notice from anyone. She forgot about going to the powder room because she couldn’t believe her luck. This was definitely one of the time travel perks she really liked. She realized no one in particular was watching her either, so she moved in the direction of the patio unable to pass up the chance to talk to him. She stepped through the doors into the quiet shadowed courtyard. Then she saw him sitting in silhouette except for the tip of his lit cigarette. She realized she was holding her breath when he spoke. “So you found me,” came out in that voice she knew from all his movies.

  She nearly choked and giggled at once, but managed to say, “I think it was the white dinner jacket. A giveaway.”

  A low throaty chuckle escaped Bogart’s lips. “Well, that was nice of you, but I’m hiding.”

  “Hiding?”

  “Yes. A few minutes of peace and a cigarette before Mayo finds me.”

  He sounded oddly resigned as Kate said, “I see.” She knew little of that early marriage, except it wasn’t good for him. He nodded and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, tipping the open pack with a gentle

  tap, offering her a smoke as he looked up at her in that classic way.

  “Oh, thank you, but I don’t smoke.”

  “Good for you. Bad habit. Been with me for years.”

  Suddenly, Kate recalled his throat cancer. Could she change the course of events to come? She frowned slightly, concerned about the reprimand she would most likely get on this. But maybe just a little nudge wouldn’t be so bad. “Well, maybe you could just cut back a little bit. You know, a small step in the right direction?” Kate offered.

  Bogart nodded in a thoughtful way as he pondered her words. When he didn’t speak, she added, “You never know what the future holds. You could meet the girl of your dreams while making a movie and you would want to be healthy for that.” She smiled in a hopeful way.

  “Do send that thought to the man upstairs.” Then he stood, dropping the cigarette butt and stamping it out with his heel. He turned, looking her straight in the eye, “You see? You’ve already helped me turn over a new leaf. Are you one of those soothsayers that knows about the future?”

  Kate smiled. “Some say I have had my moments of insight.”

  “Really? Well, in that case, what do you say, lovely soothsayer?”

  “Oh, my. Everything. So much is ahead for you. I predict you and Mayo will part ways and . . .” she knew she was rambling, but she couldn’t stop, when Bogart cut in.

  “Now that’s an uplifting prediction,” he chuckled. “What else have you got for me?”

  “Then you will meet the girl of your dreams. A beautiful lady who will bring love and a family into your life. And we can’t overlook the sailing boat.”

  “Now how did you know about that? It is a passion of mine, you see. I have always wanted my own boat to get away from it all.”

  Kate smiled and nodded. “So much is waiting for you. I think 1945 is really going to be your year, but . . .”

  “But what?” Bogart said with a raised eyebrow.

  “But you need to be careful about the smoking.”

  “Fair enough,” he said. She wondered if it would matter in the future.

  Suddenly, cutting into that pleasant moment came a loud brassy voice yelling, “Where is he? I just left him here a minut
e ago.”

  “Ah, that would be Mayo,” Bogart said.

  “She sounds like a force of nature.”

  Bogart laughed. “Well said, my dear. And in truth, an understatement.”

  “Perhaps that’s my cue to return to the party, but . . .” She paused so sad to end this priceless moment. “It really was so nice to meet you, Mr. Bogart.”

  “Mr. Bogart, is it? After all we’ve shared, you can call me Bogie.” He reached to give her arm an affectionate pat of

  thanks.

  “Bogie it is, then. Good luck.” She smiled and turned quickly, seeing Mayo barreling down on them. She really didn’t need a scene because she had a feeling she already was in enough trouble. She wondered when she got back to her time would Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall get a few more years together. She was pulling for them.

  Then suddenly this short dark haired woman she knew must be Mayo stopped right in front of her, causing her heart to lurch. “Have you seen him? Was he out there?” She pointed to the patio.

  “Who are you talking about?” Kate said, looking as innocent as she could.

  “Oh, nonsense. He has to be here somewhere.” Mayo muttered more to herself than Kate as she brushed past her, clearly annoyed as she marched off looking for Humphrey Bogart.

  She stood for a moment watching Mayo barrel towards Humphrey Bogart, and then she turned around to find Jack standing beside her with a look in his eyes she didn’t like. It pretty much said What have you been up to? “What were you doing out there?” He pointed to the patio.

  “Having a chat with someone.” Kate knew she was in trouble but hedged a bit.

  “And who might that someone be?”

  “Oh, Jack, calm down.”

  “No. I know you. You mean well, but things happen.”

  “Okay, okay. I talked to Bogart.”

  “Really?” Jack said, completely surprised.

  “It was really great. He’s even better in person. He really has something special that sets him apart.”

  Jack cut in, “I know. I know. But did we say anything that we shouldn’t have?”