| Doris Lloyd takes on the character of Miss | | | | "Ecstasy" will be ready. Six months later |
| Maud Mockeridge, English lady romance | | | | "Emma The Passionate" and in one year |
| novelist in the twisty Dangerous Corner (1934 | | | | "Sleeping Dog".Some time passes and the |
| US). Forget the plot and surprise ending; | | | | partners gather for a dinner party where |
| just study Maud.(Virginia Bruce as Ann, | | | | Maude's new novel "Sleeping Dogs" brings a |
| Melvyn Douglas as Charles)Publishing partners | | | | foam of questions about truth. The title is |
| Ann and Charles are also romantically | | | | based on an old proverb meaning don't disturb |
| flitting around each other, though this has | | | | the truth.Charles: "Which the chief |
| been pushed aside in the busyness of | | | | character, the husband, insisted on |
| manuscripts and authors.Opening scene: Ann is | | | | disturbing with strange and disastrous |
| about to host a breakfast interview on her | | | | consequences."The truth is questioned by all. |
| apartment balcony for Romance author Maud | | | | Ann: "Well there's truth; and then there's |
| Mockeridge. The English lady novelist has | | | | truth."A bagful of views on truth and |
| already published "A Flame", "Scarlet | | | | complete truth is unloosed. Arguments arise |
| Flowers", "Burnt Wings" and "Paradise For | | | | and Maud is mentally taking notes of the |
| Two". Over kippers and toast they discuss her | | | | situation. Perhaps she is adding to her |
| new book "Ecstasy" and a possible contract | | | | mind's collection of notes for future novels? |
| before Maud travels back to England.Charles | | | | She leaves with a Miss Marple style "Goodbye" |
| arrives unexpectedly before Miss Mockeridge | | | | thus showing her dislike of unharmonious |
| and lighthearted romance takes place. The | | | | gatherings.Maud Mockeridge is a wonderful |
| maid answers the door to the famous dame of | | | | example of the 1930's style romance author... |
| love.Ann, anxious about being discovered with | | | | refined, sophisticated, unhurried, and sought |
| a man in her apartment before breakfast | | | | after by a sighing following of women. |
| declares to Charles: "Stand in the middle of | | | | Publishers wooed her. Not crimped by the |
| floor and look innocent."Charles: "Yeah, | | | | winds of today's frantic marketing, she was |
| that's our great trouble. We are innocent. | | | | free to do what authors do best. She just |
| All we ever do is stand in the middle of the | | | | wrote!Full graphics version hereEsmerelda |
| room."Maud Mockeridge's bosom rises in poetic | | | | Jones... Writer Of DesiresAuthor of: The |
| moral amusement: "I came in a minute too | | | | Higher Self expressed in Ancient Wisdom, |
| early. He lingered a moment too late in fond | | | | Beauty, Goddess Sensuality, Golden Wealth, |
| farewell."She adds in haste: "I have my own | | | | Poems For The Passionate, Ecstatic Romance. |
| moral code. It's quite simple. Two baths a | | | | Writings of the struggling Lower Self in |
| day and mind your manners."Later that morning | | | | tales of Victoriana, Victorian Swoon Flash |
| Ann joyfully announces to her publishing | | | | Fiction, Old Curiosities, Bushrangers and |
| partners that she has secured a three year | | | | Quaint Collections. |
| contact with Miss Mockeridge. Next month | | | | |