FROM THE CHORUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 5 (Supplement)

FROM THE CHORUS.

STARS OF TO-MORROW.

When Samuel Goldwyn is about to begin production of his annual Eddie Cantor film the call goes forth for youth and beauty. And, as though drawn by a magnet, thousands of girls from all parts of America flock to Hollywood on the slender rfhance that they will be chosen. During the production of "Kid Millions," the last Cantor film, one girl actually begged car rides from Alabama to Hollywood, over 1000 miles, while another drove a motor cycle all the way from Detroit. Not all arrived in this fashion, however, for many are discovered by talent scouts, and others are found in Hollywood itself. During the search hundreds of girls present themselves at the studio each day. They are first weeded out by the easting director and perhaps 20 are asked to put on bathing costumes and parade before Mr. Goldwyn and his dance director. One girl at a time is the rule. She must be young, not more than 18 or 19. If she has had stage or dancing experience so much the better, but the chief qualification is beauty of face and figure. Every year two or three Goldwyn girls display definite screen personalities and these are placed under contract and "groomed" for something better. Virginia Bruce made her first apearance on the screen in the chorus of "Whoopee." Now she is a star. Paulette Goddard is on the way to worldwide fame as Charlie Chaplin's leading lady in "Modern Times," but few people remember that she was a Goldwyn girl in "The Kid from Spain." Toby Wing was a chorus girl in the same film and has since obtained recognition as a featured player. Eleanor Hunt was taken out of the chorus of "Whoopee" during rehearsal and given the leading feminine role. Barbara Weeks graduated from the same chorus to become Eddie Cantor's leading lady in "Palmy Days."