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that queens cant be tough. But he’s got to have
respect. Tough male stars can make mince meat out
of gay company managers. They’re cattier than all
the queens put together. They’ll titter backstage
about the fellow to the pomt that he gets to be a
laughing stock. A show can’t afford that.

“But I'd be a damned fool not to look for gay
dancers. They’re graceful, and they’re in the major-
ity. If I put a couple of normal boys in the line the
swishes would tear them to pieces in no time. You
have enough trouble with chorus boys without bait-
ing them with the challenge of makmg it with a
couple of straights.

“There you have it. Queens fit certain jobs. That’s
why we hire them. When they won’t do their work
well, out they go on their cans.

“Now, how about that legend of the director’s boy
friend? It could just as well be his girl friend. So he
comes to me. He knows I understand the score. He
tells me that he’s got a little twit he’s interested in. I
know better than ask if it’s the same one he had last
season. He’s probably changed twice since then.

“Anyhow he wants the little fag to have that third
act walk-on, the young Englishman in the bowler
hat who tips his hat to the leading lady and walks
off. Maybe I'd prefer to give it to my own son so