FILM FAME

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 13330, 17 December 1943, Page 3

FILM FAME

FAMILY OF SEVERNS

GREAT ACTING ABILITY

Little Billy Severn’s narrow escape from injury while filming in a battle scene has set Hollywood talking about the amazing Severn family, says the Sydney Sun.

Five-year-old Billy is ome of the "Seven Severns,” all of whom are in pictures. His full name is William Churchill Roosevelt Severn, and he is appearing in Metro film, “Journey for Margaret.”

Another of the acting Severps is Raymond (11), who appeared in “A Yank at Eton.” His full name is Raymond Chesterton Shaw Seyern. His father, Dr Severn —psychologist, lecturer, globe-trotter—is an Englishman who went to Hollywood via

South Africa. He wrote to G- K. Chesterton and Bernard Shaw asking permission to name the boy after them. Chesterton wrote back: “I think it’s safe. At least he’s 12,000 miles away!” Shaw sent a copy of “Man and Superman” and wrote inside the cover, “You may borrow the name, but not the genius!” The seven Severns have appeared in 60 movies since the family moved to America six years ago. There are eight Severns now. The latest arrival —nearly a year old —is Winston Franklin MacArthur Severn.