The Girl Who Paid Dividends

By Earl Derr Biggers

The Girl Who Paid Dividends is a book by Earl Derr Biggers, an American novelist, and playwright. He was most famous for a series of novels featuring the fictional Chinese American detective Charlie Chan. Many of his works were adapted into popular films made in the United States and China.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DigiCat
• Release date: May 29, 2022
• ISBN: 8596547019060

Earl Derr Biggers

Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist and playwright. Born in Ohio, Biggers went on to graduate from Harvard University, where he was a member of The Harvard Lampoon, a humor publication for undergraduates. Following a brief career as a journalist, most significantly for Cleveland-based newspaper The Plain Dealer, Biggers turned to fiction, writing novels and plays for a popular audience. Many of his works have been adapted into film and theater productions, including the novel Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913), which was made into a Broadway stage play the same year it was published. Towards the end of his career, he produced a highly popular series of novels centered on Honolulu police detective Charlie Chan. Beginning with The House Without a Key (1925), Biggers intended his character as an alternative to Yellow Peril stereotypes prominent in the early twentieth century. His series of Charlie Chan novels inspired dozens of films in the United States and China, and has been recognized as an imperfect attempt to use popular media to depict Chinese Americans in a positive light.

Book preview

Earl Derr Biggers

The Girl Who Paid Dividends

EAN 8596547019060

DigiCat, 2022

Contact: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Cover

Titlepage

Text

MR. HERMAN WINKLE, the eminent producer of film masterpieces, sat in his office staring at the director he had but recently lured away from a rival concern. California's special brand of early morning sunshine poured through a window at Mr. Winkle's back, bathing in golden splendor his vast expanse of bald head.

Well, Kenyon, he inquired, did you go over that new script for Malone?

I did, said the director. It looks like an A-1 story to me.

Yeah, it's a good piece of property, replied Mr. Winkle, making use of his favorite phrase.

The director smiled.

Now that shot where Malone appears on the fire escape in her nightgown——

Wasn't in the property when I bought it, Mr. Winkle informed him. I wrote it in. He paused a moment, his chest swelling with the pride of authorship. Well, I guess you're ready to begin shooting as soon as Malone shows up. I hope you two get along O. K.

Oh, we'll hit it off, smiled Kenyon. I understand that Peggy Malone is a regular fellow.

She's a mighty fine kid, said Mr. Winkle. Five years we been working together, and never a word between us that wasn't as pleasant as a good week's gross. Yes, sir, five years ago I found her in the Follies chorus, getting her measly little fifty a week. Just for an evening of pleasure I go to the theater, and the minute this girl walks on I know I'm there for business. Right away I went back stage and signed her up. It was one of my big strokes.

One of many, flattered Kenyon.

Yeah, you said it, Mr. Winkle admitted. Well, get busy. All I got to say is, treat her right. I never knew her to be peevish yet, but I ain't taking no chances. I wouldn't lose her for Rockefeller's millions. She's the best bit of property I got. He rose and waved an emphatic finger at his new director. Believe me when I say it, she's the best bit of property in the films.

Up at the other end of Hollywood, in a boudoir done, to quote Peggy herself, in a Los Angeles imitation of Louis the Quince, the film star sat before her dressing-table. She was