TALK OF WEDDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 235, 3 October 1936, Page 5 (Supplement)

TALK OF WEDDINGS.

GENE RAYMOND'S FLOWERS. MAUREEN PLANS CEREMONY. Talk of weddings is in the air in Hollywood just now. With the Jack Oakie, the Myrna Loy, the Jean. Parker, the Dick Powell-Joan Blondell, the Allan Jones-Irene Hervey, and the Henry Wilcoxon marriages all having taken place within the past few months, another batch appeal's to be well on the way. Jeanette Mac Donald and Gene Raymond have announced their engagement, and that means that the expected husband of the famous singing star, writer Bob Ritchie, with whom she has been "going places" quite as much as with Mr. Raymond, is definitely shelved. Gene has always sent flowers to his leading ladies on the first day of production. But, now that he is pledged to become a Benedict, this pleasant little practice will cease. Dick Powell and Joan Blondell had a nautical wedding in San Pedro on the s.s. Santa Paula on September 19, prior to leaving for New York via the Panama Canal. Only ten of the couple's most intimate friends were in the secret and witnessed the ceremony. Dick and Joan planned to spend ten days sight-seeing in New York and booked the bridal suite at the Waldorf Astoria. When the honeymoon is over, they will return to Hollywood by train and start work immediately on their various picture commitments. Merle Pines for her David. Merle Oberon is pining away with the thought that shortly she will have to obey Alexander Korda's call to go to England to make two filmS there. "Hollywood is the best place in the world for a movie actress," she thinks. "I hate to leave it." What Merle really meant to convey was that she hates to leave David Niven, who cannot quit the film city because of the heavy roster of work lined up for him. But the real Hollywood romantic thrill of the moment in Hollywood is that supplied by the plans of Maureen O'Sullivan and writer Johnny Farrow. They are planning a church ceremony— with orange. blossoms, white veil, lace and everything. It has been a long time since a film couple "went to town" on the marital ceremony,- and Maureen, with her dark beauty and angelic disposition, should look wonderful in her bridal gown. They planned the event to follow immediately the far-too-long-delayed "Tarzan Escapes," in which Maureen for the third time plays romantic lead opposite her jungle mate, Johnny Weissmuller. Johnny Farrow, while waiting, has completed a book (already accepted • for publication and, possibly, for filming) based on the life of Father Damien, saintly Belgian priest, who gave his life in a battle against leprosy in an isolated corner of the Pacific. Will Leave Screen For Ever. Farrow would prefer to be married in Norfolk, England, where his family lives, and Maureen's parents are hoping the wedding will be solemnised in Dublin, Ireland. But Maureen herself, in a whirl of happiness at the imminent prospect of changing her name to Mrs. John Farrow, doesn't care where it takes place just as long as it happens soon. If film "fans" have anything to say about the matter, however, the marriage will be delayed as long as possible, as "Maureen is quite serious in her intention of leaving the screen for ever the moment she relinquishes her maiden name.