February 17, 1932

GRETA GARBO ‘SITS A MEAN SADDLE’, COURT IS TOLD
Los Angeles, Feb. 17 (AP)
An owner of an exclusive riding stable patronized by Hollywood’s movie colony walked out of superior court today freed from charges in an $18,000 damage suit in which he testified that Greta Garbo, film actress, sits a “mean saddle” and that Mrs. Leni Lubitsch, former wife of the director, is a “clown on a horse.”
Miss Marion P. Bryant, Hollywood and Beverly Hills society girl, sued Roy L. Davis, stable proprietor, for $518,000 for injuries she said she suffered when she fell from Elizabeth, a horse Miss Garbo and Mrs. Lubitsch liked to ride.
A judgment for Davis was returned by Superior Judge William S. Baird after Davis and several of his employees described the riding ability of various Hollywood film personages who patronized the exclusive Bel-Air stables.
“Miss Garbo is a good rider and sits a mean saddle,” Davis testified in response to a question by his attorney.
“Well, how about Mrs. Lubitsch? Is she a good rider?” the attorney inquired.
“To tell the truth,” Davis replied, “she is a clown on a horse.”
Miss Bryant testified she went to the stables as a guest of Arthur Caesar, scenario writer, and that she asked for a gentle horse. They gave her Elizabeth, which stable attendants testified was probably the most gentle horse in the stables.




NOT THE MOVIES, BUT POLITICS
Laura La Plante, movie actress, is now in the role of a political aide as she joined Vic Meyers in his campaign for mayor of Seattle on an “everybody happy” platform. Meyers, an orchestra leader, advocates hostesses on streetcars and bands to meet all trains.




TALA BIRELL TO STAR IN FILMING OF ZOLA’S NANA
From Luella O. Parsons
The finest book that Emile Zola has ever written is Nana. It is also one of the classics of modern French literature. It created just as much stir in France as Flaubert’s Madame Bovary. Both were considered the essence of immorality. Yet to-day I doubt if either one could be put in that category, but each must be put down as an example of splendid writing.
Universal has purchased Zola’s Nana for Tala Birell. That proves positively that Miss Birrel will be given extraordinary encouragement to become another Garbo or Dietrich. Paramount had intended to star Marlene Dietrich in Nana and then, for some reason, the plans were changed.