Roland Young

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 180, 28 April 1939, Page 14

Roland Young

No Trouble To Wardrobe And Make-up Workers A S fa r as the various studio departments are concerned, Roland Young is the most popular male star in Hollywood. His popularity is not because of his engaging personality, but because he is the only film actor who never causes the wardrobe, makeup and hairdressing departments any work. He never uses a speck of makeup; never uses a wig or “frontpiece” for his hair, and always provides his own clothes. Young was born in London on November 11, 1887, son of Keith Young, a famous English architect. Roland was educated at Sherborne, in Dorset, and at University College. London. He earned his first money singing in the school choir, where he was paid a threepence, and a sixpence for singing in the chapel choir. He attended the Tree Dramatic School ip London for a year. His father was not’at all eager to have his son on the stage, preferring him to become a hospital architect. His first engagement was in 1911 with Arthur Bourhies in “Find the Woman.” After playing in stock for some time in the English provinces he appeared in “Improper Peter” in London. So successful was he in this play that his next opportunity came from New York where he played in “Kindle Wakes,” and in shorter plays with the Darlington Square Players. Other stage plays include “Good Gracious Annabelle,” “The Successful Calamity,” “Scrambled Wives,” “Buddies,” “Rollo’s Wild Oat,” “The Beggar on Horseback," “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney,” and “The Queen’s Husband.” Young’s first, screen appearance was with ' John Barrymore in “Sherlock Holmes,” some fifteen years ago. He went to Hollywood to play in “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney,” a picture, but the part was filled before his arrival. He was then placed under contract to make “Unholy Garden.” He has also appeared in “Her Private Life.” “Wise Girls,” “The Bishop Murder Case,” and the part of Jimmie Wade in “Madame Satan.”

Other films are "The Squaw Man,’ “New Moon,” “Two Can Play,” “The Pagan Lady,” “Lovers Courageous,” “One Hour‘With You.” “This is the Night,” "Street of Women.” “The Woman Commands.” Following these he went to London to star in the film “Wedding Rehearsal.” His next film was “New Yorker,” with Al .Tolson, but he withdrew from the cast because of illness. “They Had to Marry” was one of his recent ones. He then appeared in “A Lady’s Profession.” In 1926 Young married the daughter of Clare Kummer v the playwright, who wrote “Rollo’s Wild Oat” and othersuccesses in which Young appeared.

During 1934 Mr. Young appeared in two American films, “His Double Life,” and “Here is My Heart.” His first film for 1935, in which he scored a tremendous hit, was “Ruggles of Red Gap,” with Charles Laughton, followed 'by “David Copperfield,” in which he played the role of Uriah Heep. His more recent screen appearances have been in "The Unguarded Hour,” "One Rainy Afternoon,” and “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” “Topper” and "The Young in Heart.” He will, next be seen in "Topper Takes a Trip.” Roland Young’s hobby is drawing, and he is the author of several books of caricatures, including “Not For Children” and “Actors and OtherPeople.”