1937
Well it has been quite an eventful few months. Warner Bros publicity department were able to take full advantage of my visit to Spain. They dubbed it a "goodwill visit". But that was neither the case. From the moment I stepped onto Spanish soil, there were troubles. First the rumour began that I was to give $1 million dollars to the Loyalists cause. Completely untrue! This was fabricated by Erben and I just laughingly went along with it. I never thought an off-handed comment would turn into a firestorm.
After Lili left, we reached Madrid. Erben and I continued in our journey. I played the part of "war correspondent", but I found that title to be quite unflattering. I took notes and posed for pictures but that was all of my correspondence.
We stayed at the Hotel Gran Via where we met Ernest Hemingway. He was quite a gruff gent. Only talking about virtues of revolution and such. I cared for none of that mess. I did find myself to be injured in the process. Silly it is, a piece of plaster fell on my head. As you might have heard I was shot, another false statement. But of course the story circulated around that I had been killed. Lili had to send a telegram stating that was indeed untrue.
I left Spain in a midnight flight, hoping to escape to brewing war. I found this trip has done much to destroy my reputation. Even the Photoplay article I penned, What Really Happened to Me in Spain, was turned around to make me look like a frivolous playboy with absolutely no moral fiber whatsoever. I am quite appalled with everything from Lili's possessiveness to Erben's strange actions during the trip. I have only deep regret for all that has happened in the past three months.
After Lili left, we reached Madrid. Erben and I continued in our journey. I played the part of "war correspondent", but I found that title to be quite unflattering. I took notes and posed for pictures but that was all of my correspondence.
We stayed at the Hotel Gran Via where we met Ernest Hemingway. He was quite a gruff gent. Only talking about virtues of revolution and such. I cared for none of that mess. I did find myself to be injured in the process. Silly it is, a piece of plaster fell on my head. As you might have heard I was shot, another false statement. But of course the story circulated around that I had been killed. Lili had to send a telegram stating that was indeed untrue.
I left Spain in a midnight flight, hoping to escape to brewing war. I found this trip has done much to destroy my reputation. Even the Photoplay article I penned, What Really Happened to Me in Spain, was turned around to make me look like a frivolous playboy with absolutely no moral fiber whatsoever. I am quite appalled with everything from Lili's possessiveness to Erben's strange actions during the trip. I have only deep regret for all that has happened in the past three months.