The Woman Alan Ladd Loves

"Susie, the dark girl, is not merely my wife and the mother of my child," says Alan Ladd. "She is also, and always, the dearest of all my friends, and I shall tell you the reason why. But I do not want it to enter your minds that Susie is a perfect woman — for if my wife were perfect, then I too should have to rise above all faults, and that is a remote and difficult thing. The truth is that Susie suits me, and I have proofs that I suit her; we are happy in our marriage, and we were friends before we were sweethearts.

In the first stage of our life before marriage, failure was in league against me and would not let me be, until I nearly despaired of acting and gave it up — had it not been for Susie's faith in me, her confidence, and her encouraging words. I owe to her my success and the spread of my name among the stars of Hollywood.

Her devotion went so far that when my name became known, she wanted to withdraw from my life and refused to marry me, lest the marriage harm my success... And it was not easy to persuade her to go back on her resolve except by a threat! — when I swore to her that I would give up

acting if I were condemned to remain far from her, and that I could not succeed without her warm wing fluttering over me and giving me confidence in myself.

Susie now keeps step with me in everything she does; she watches over my comfort and my contentment, and serves me with love and generosity. I never hear her grumble or criticize, and she avoids everything that might vex me. My life with her is truly one of lasting bliss... I am very happy indeed that I found her, and that the sacred bond of marriage was tied between us.