Claudette Colbert Denies Some Stories

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 157, 29 March 1941, Page 16

Claudette Colbert Denies Some Stories

'•■y'OU can get an odd reputation in Hollywood. I have never been able to find out where the tales originally start, but some are classics,” said Claudette Colbert to a group of pressmen. ’ “For instance, there’s the one going around right now that I am a clever business, woman. I’m a genius at finance. I handle all my own affairs. I’ve saved practically everything I’ve ever made. I own vast business interests. “Nothing could be farther from the truth. Like all actresses and most actors, I know nothing about business. I have, in the past few years, invested only in a small trust fund and in a hotel development project. Anybody can set up a trust fund. The hotel development so far has been conspicuous for its lack of dividends. Fortunately, it seems to me at this time, my holdings are very, very small. ’ “Stories which have gone about concerning mv business acumen, coupled with official reports showing that I have been the highest salaried motion picture -actress during the past few years, rather frighten me. They remind me that in the face of Hollywood vagaries and a fickle public I might not make 10 cents next year, and that I have been able to save only a small amount of money—not enough, to be sure, to support me in what is known as ‘the manner to which I have become accustomed? “Frankly, taxes take about 79 per cent, of mv income. I have to pay my agent 10 per cent. That leaves me with 11 per cent! In other words, about the same amount that is received by. a successful business or professional woman, and that type of woman doesn’t have. to. spend the money I do in entertainment, on clothes, servants and other expenses. “So, in the first place, it isn’t possible to save a great deal. I make enough money and pay the Government enough money to build half a dozen fighting planes a year, if you want to reduce it to something concrete. After that, haven’t much to put into a savings account. As far as business acumen is concerned, my agent handles all my business affairs. He simplv reports to me, saying he has paid this bill and that bill, and that he has put a certain amount aside. "I am too busy with my work at Paramount to investigate investment possibilities for my money. I know no trade, which means that I couldn’t very well operate a successful shop. I do know a little about fashion designing," and once made two dollars apiece with my sketches.. I also received four dollars an hour, some hours, for teaching French. In a pinch, I could fall back on both these means for making a living—but I certainly wouldn’t make enough to maintain myself as I am at the present time.” Claudette Colbert will be seen soon in “Arise My Love.”