Mr. Douglas Learns A Lesson

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1940, Page 10

Mr. Douglas Learns A Lesson

Never will Melvyn Douglas roam from home. Never will he join the ranks of wayward husbands. He learned his lesson on the set of the Columbia comedy now in production, “He Stayed for Breakfast.” But he learned it the easy way—acting a part of an impetuous waiter in the picture with Loretta Young. Early in this fast-moving comedy, Douglas takes a shot at Eugene Pallette. Miss Young’s banker husband. After that the star takes to hiding in the young woman’s lavish apartment. “I hide from one end of the picture to the other,” Douglas says, describing

his part. “I hide in closets, on rooftops, in back halls, and underneath furniture. And it’s no fun.”

What prompted the last remark and at the same time raised the warning finger about secreting oneself in other women’s apartments was a scene where Douglas hurriedly took refuge under a bed.

As enacted, all went perfectly until Miss Young sat on the bed as Pallette came bursting in through the door. Pallette unexpectedly added a bit of business; he sat on the edge of the bed himself. One can guess the rest. The bed, a prop, affair, had been made only to support Miss Young. When Pallette’s 230 pounds came down so did the piece of furniture. Douglas is still trying to catch his breath.