Derek Partridge: Self - Narrator & Host
Quotes
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Self - Narrator & Host : Leslie's star status continued to rise. He was sought after by the top leading ladies in Hollywood. First, he was offered the romantic lead opposite Greta Garbo in "Queen Christina" and astonished Hollywood by refusing the offer. Howard explained, "I should not hesitate to play opposite the most glamorous of stage actresses; because, a play can be depended on to materialize as rehearsed. A picture is different. Added to the terrific competition of her personality, which no man has ever equaled, the film would naturally be cut to her advantage and where should I be?"
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Self - Narrator & Host : In September of 1934, while filming, "The Scarlet Pimpernel," a more serous relationship developed with Merle Oberon.
Self - Interviewee : She was a beautiful, beautiful girl and, at that point, my father fell in love with her. He never made this stupid mistake again of falling in love with his leading lady. But, he did fall in love with her.
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Self - Narrator & Host : "A Free Soul" gave Leslie the least rewarding role of his career. Despite co-star billing, his colorless character was overshadowed by the showier parts played by Norma Shearer, Lionel Barrymore, and, a young actor who had recently failed an audition for a part in one of Leslie's plays, Clark Gable.
Self - Interviewee : Clark Gable was a very young man, he came for an audition for a very small part as a chauffeur - perhaps two lines or three lines or - anyway, my father looked at him and he said, "Oh, no, no, no. We can't have him. He's - he looks too common, even for a chauffeur." And this man, who looked too common to my father, whatever it was, ended up being, you know, the King of Hollywood - the great - the great, glamorous man that all women wanted to make love to.
