The Only Woman in the Room

Aboard the SS Normandie from London, Hedy listens to the head of MGM Studios deliberate what to rename her. When his wife suggests Lamarr, the group agrees that Hedy Lamarr works. Once in London, Hedy searched for acting jobs but knew that Hitler’s Nuremberg Laws could eventually reach all of Europe. She sought out Hollywood by engineering an introduction to Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM. When they meet, Mayer is adamant that America only makes “wholesome films” and that “Americans won’t tolerate Jews on screen” (147). Knowing that Mayer himself was a Russian Jew, she is surprised to learn that America is just as intolerant but says nothing. Instead, when they offer a measly $125/week, she rejects his offer and walks away. However, Hedy has a plan: She learns that Mayer and his associates will be boarding the Normandie back to America and buys a ticket. On the first night aboard, she dresses in her most arresting dress and descends slowly into the crowded ballroom. The entire room is mesmerized—and Mayer is impressed. He offers her $550/week, and she happily accepts. His only condition is that they rewrite her history.