University of Virginia Library

Beyond Publicity

“You don't like interviews, do you?” I asked.

He made an expressive motion with his hands, slightly shrugged. At least his gestures are typically Latin.

“In France,” he said, “I am no longer interviewed. My fame is establish'. I am Maurice Chevalier. It is enough— for Paris. But here—everyt'ing is publicity—yes?”

At this juncture, we were interrupted by Director Wallace, a large, handsome young dynamo, who thrust his head in, in passing.

“Publicity is a get-famous-quick method,” he bellowed. “Fame is a female. You've got to chase her.”

“How you catch her?” asked Chevalier.

“All sorts of ways and means. Some people make a profession of notoriety. Now as for you—well, you might divorce your wife and that'd get you on the front page.”

“Ah, no! I do not like the front page. I like better my wife—even if obscurity.”

Director Wallace went off laughing. “There's French gallantry for you,” was his parting shot. Chevalier, with a wry smile and a shake of his head, said:

“He likes poke joke.”