Ralph L Roberts.com

[Marilyn] "Seems like the whole world is here for the opening of LETS MAKE LOVE. I’m afraid they’ll be awfully disappointed – it isn’t a very good picture. I gave Maysie a ticket for you. This fire seems somehow to be symbolic of the whole thing. So much raging emotions during the shooting. Golly, I miss Johnny Hyde. He’d have known how to have handled all of that, and all of this. He taught me so much when I was beginning – all about the workers behind the scenes. He helped me learn how to mix and mingle with people – he knew instinctively how to separate and categorize people, and some of that rubbed off on me. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him. Some little silly incident will trigger off a whole flow of memories of him. Johnny sitting in the restaurant, talking about the things I was going to do, how with my drive, my determination to be a top actress, nothing could stop me studying everything about all the elements involved – acting, singing, dancing, - the inside and the outside of the body. I remember many times "concentrate to learn to use your body as an instrument of expression as well as a thing of beauty. Acting is basically the fine art of gesture and gesture begins in an agile body. And don’t let the mind go untended. I think I fell in love with Arthur first when I read DEATH OF A SALESMAN – speaking of "tending the mind". Of course the picture of him didn’t hurt, either. I had two idols, and had pictures of them in my bedroom. One Duse, the other Arthur. I’m certainly rambling, aren’t I?" I practically never mention Johnny’s name. But so often when I’ve done something I think is good, I say a little prayer thanking him. I loved him. I wasn’t in love with him, but I loved him, and am eternally grateful for his belief in me, and his guidance. "They wouldn’t let me see him."

When she drifted off into sleep, I went down to the bar. It was still quite early – before dinner – and there was such a flurry of activity. Monty was talking to a reporter, but drew me into conversation with "this wonderful guy practically saved my life, and let’s all have a drink on that." During the drink, word came through that because of the power failure, the theatre would be unable to be used for the premiere. There was a mad rush, and all the visiting reporters were returned home in a chartered Constellation. Monty asked how she was, and was glad she had gotten to sleep. "I know the feeling."