FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 23113, 12 November 1938, Page 5

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

h y “Loiterer”

Jottings on the people of the Stage and Screen and on the latest recorded Music.

FAN MAIL FANCIES

DEMANDS ON THE STARS " A MERRY BUSINESS " The stream of fan mail flowing into Hollywood never runs dry. Upward of 3,000 letters each week are received by the most popular screen stars. The biggest percentage is from America, and ,New York and Chicago postmarks are as common as those of Gopher Prairie. Not all of the self-invited correspondents are bored housewives with nothing to do in the afternoons, or screen-struck boys and girls. They embrace the whole rank and file of contemporary society, and they seem to go on for ever with the persistence and volubility of Tennyson’s brook. The morning studio mail is certain to contain a batch of laudatory comments on a star’s latest picture; requests for money or help in getting into the movies, or for an autographed picture; in fact, most correspondents conclude by requesting a photograph. Sometimes the requests include coin or stamps to cover the postage, sometimes not. The fan mail business is a merry one for the United States Post Office,

a tough one for the army of secretaries and assistants -who have to wade through the flood. - Some of the stars take an intense personal interest in what their unknown commentators have to say. Some, like May (Robson, are so conscientious that they spend a good deal of their spare time answering the more interesting or the more urgent letters, and looking over the others. These are the exceptions, however. More often the stars are content to shift everything to the backs of hirelings, except m a few extra special cases. Some writers look on their favourite stare as Santa Claus in the flesh. Leo Carrillo, while working in ‘ Too Hot to Handle,’ received a cablegram from a total stranger in Czechoslovakia complimenting the star on his fine characterisations and asking for a return remittance of £BOO to enable the sender and his fiancee to be married. Wallace Beery received a letter from a stranger enclosing a promissory note for £3OO, a document that needed only the star’s signature and a return check for that amount to complete the transaction. The writer somewhat ingeniously explained that his friends and the two local banks had refused him this loan, but that he felt sure the big-hearted Mr Beery would prove more generous. Demands for money are supplemented by a host of other strange and unbelievable requests. One man wrote to Clarence Brown, the director and flying expert,' explaining his interest in aviation, his ■ inability to buy a plane, and his hope that the director would ship him a second-hand one which he no longer needed. Sometimes the stare are asked to lift the family mortgage, sometimes they are merely requested to send a shawl worn in a Spanish costume scene, or a hat or dress used_ in some romantically outstanding picture. For a long time after the release of * Ben Hur ’ Ramon Novarro received scores of letters addressed to “ Mr Ben Hur.” Whenever a star is publicly advertised as having developed a new hobby the promoters avidly join his fan mail group. After it became known that Robert Montgomery was an enthusiastic polo player he was the recipient of a host of air mail, special delivery, and registered letters from people trying to sell him a string of pomes. Similarly with Spencer Tracy and his hunting proclivities, Alice Brady and her kennel of dogs. Promotion men for bulldog farms, horseradish ranches, and travelling whales are among the odd gentry who pursue the film players. One of the most unusual cases of fan mail correspondence concerned Joan Crawford. For many months she had been receiving letters filled with enthusiastic praise of her work, written in a strong masculine hand, and further distinguished by the fact that

they were composed upon heavy browu glazed paper, such as butchers used for wrapping meat. Investigation disclosed that the writer was an irrigation hand working in the Imperial Valley in Southern California, and that his virile missives were written on the paper which contained his lunches. Statisticians have reported that there are three feminine letter writers to every male, and about 40 per cent, of the fan mail written by men comprises marriage proposals or requests for dinner. Even after the published announcement of her marriage Myrna Loy received as many as 79 proposals in one week. Some of the more artistic-minded letter writers send their messages rebusfashion. Weird drawings or diagrams represent the names of the stars. Wallace Beery’s seems to exert an unholy fascination on the horde of amateur artists. At/last report he was leading the field in the number of rebus envelops received. His first name is sometimes depicted by a sketch of a wall covered by what passes for a frontage of lace, sometimes by a wall and the ace from a pack of cards, sometimes by a “W ” on an awl and an ace. His surname generally takes the form of either a berry or an effervescing pot of beer.

One of the most famous letters of this type presented what seemed to be a menacing coloured diagram of the underworld, with a superimposed letter “N. ” and an overhanging mass of

clouds. This was sent to the Fox studios on the assumption that it belonged .to someone connected with ‘ Dante’s Inferno.’ When the letter was opened there, however, it was found that it had been intended for Helen Hayes ; the cryptic sketch on the envelope stood for hell-N-haze! So it was remailed to the stage star. Sometimes the amateur draughtsmen try to convey their meanings by a snarling, ghoulish face. When "this happens office workers have to gamble on whether to send it to Boris Karloff, Claude Raines, or Bela Lugosi. No snap judgment can be exercised on these enigmatic messages. Recently a clerk found an envelope with a collection of hieroglyphics and with a picture of Grace Moore. It was promptly sent along to the lady, whose astute secretary sent it along to Lionel Barrymore. Close scrutiny showed that the “ Moore ” on the envelope was preceded by a very decrepit-looking lion, the letter “ L ” and a bunch of exceedingly lopsided berries, Lion-L-herry-Moore.

GUY RELEASES

CURRENT AND COMING ATTRACTIONS St. James, coming soon: ‘ Kid Galahad,’ a stoy of the prize ring, and the characters who are in and about it; some of them are straight, some of them are crooked, but the story is a great one, and has a magnificent cast: Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Wayne Morris, Harry Carey. In support, ‘ West of Shanghai,’ a story of West meeting East in a setting of the SinoJapanese war zone. Cast: Boris Karloff, Beverley Roberts, Ricardo Cortez, Gordon Oliver.

Empire, Friday next: M.G.M.’s uproarious comedy of " one of the daffiest families ever pictured on stage or screen, ‘ Merrily We Live.’ Mrs Kilbourne (mother of the family), it should be known, has a penchant for adopting tramps in order to rehabilitate them, but most of her protegees bite the hand that feeds them, as it were. Billie Burke is the mother (enough said), and her family and associates are Constance Bennett, Brian Aherne, Alan Mowbray, and Patsy Kelly.

Regent, coming shortly: M.-G.-M.’s latest two-hour singing, dancing, and romantic musical, ‘ Roslie,’ with Nelson Eddy, who this time has Eleanor Powell, tap dancer, playing opposite him. This time Eddy is cast as a cadet from a military college—and he plays American football with the best of them. Plenty of good singing by Mr Eddy, dancing by Miss Powell, and comedy by Frank Morgan, Edna May Oliver, Billy Gilbert.

Strand, Friday next; Jimmy Valentine, mythical hero of the underworld, makes his latest appearance in the Republic production ‘The Return of Jimmy Valentine.’ Roger Pryor is the latest screen Jimmy, and he is supported by Charlotte Henry, Robert Warwick, and Edgar Kennedy. All the excitement of heavy-weight championship boxing will be found in ‘ The Main Event,’ the supporting feature, which presents Robert Paige, Jacqueline Wells, and Arthur Loft.

Grand, Wednesday next: A smart blend of comedy, music, and romance constitutes ‘ Fight For Your Lady,’ an RKO-Radio production of crooked wrestlers and others. Cast includes John Boles, Jack Oakie, Ida Lupino, and Margot Grahame. Youth flings its cap in the face of danger —and wins—in ‘ Night Spot,’ with Parkyakarkus, Allan Lane, Gordon Jones, and Joan Woodbury.

State, now showing; United Artists’ ‘ Blockade,’ with Henry Fonda, Madeleine Carroll, John Halliday, Reginald Denny, Robert Warwick. ‘ Blockade ’ is the romance of a man and a girl drawn into the conflict of the Spanish Civil War against their will—lovers who are at the same time the bitterest enemies. The picture claims to take no sides in the dispute, but is an unbiased presentation of civil war and its consequences.

Octagon, Friday next: A. E. W. Mason’s story, ‘ The Drum,’ filmed in technicolour by London Films. A stirring saga of the dauntless men who govern Britain’s farflung outposts buried in the hills of North-western India. Described as the greatest outdoor adventure romance since ‘ Bengal Lancer,’ 'The'Drum’ stars Sabu (“Elephant Boy”), Raymond Massey, Valerie Hobson, Roger Livesey, Desmond Tester, and a cast of 3,000 extras. Mayfair, now showing: The inimitable George Wallace gets into trouble and out of trouble consistently in Cinesound’s latest production, ‘ Let George Do It.’ George does it all right, and he is assisted by Letty Craydon as his principal partner in comedy and crime. With this is screening 1 Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,’ with Shirley Temple playing the popular Kate Douglas wiggin character. She is supported by Jack Haley, Gloria Stuart, Phyllis Brooks, and Alan Dinehart.

'GUNGA DIN'

KIPLING CHARACTER DRAMATISED Cary Grant, Victor M'Laglen, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Joan Fontaine, and Sam. J affe have been chosen to bring ‘ Gunga Din ’ to the screen. Based on the world-famous ballad by Rudyard Kipling, which first appeared in the magazine ‘ National Observer,’ and was published in book form along with a group of service poems in 1892 under the title ‘ Barrack Room Ballads,’ ‘ Gunga Din ’ is probably Kipling’s best known verse. It tells

graphically of the bravery and loyalty of the native water carriers serving with the British troops in India, and ends with the immortal line, “ You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” Sam Jaffe, who played the role of the Grand Lama in. ‘ The Lost Horizon,’ has been assigned to bring the character of Gunga Din himself to life, whilst Cary Grant, Victor M'Laglen, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., will be the inseparable trio of sergeants in the Queen’s Own Sappers and Miners Regiment. It is particularly pleasing to see noteworthy works and stories of British heroism brought to the screen, and ‘ Gunga Din ’ is a worthy addition to the already fine array that has come from Hollywood studios. Of the three principal stars little need be said, as all are top-rankers in their profession. A “ three musketeers ” friendship between a trio of British Army sergeants and the devotion and loyalty of an elderly native water carrier comprise the dual theme of the film. The all-for-one and one-for-all spirit of the three non-coms., the treasure-hunting Cutter (Cary Grant), the romantic Ballantine (Douglas Fairbanks), and the hardboiled MacChesney (Victor M'Laglen) gives rise to the series of exciting adventures that make up the plot. The resourcefulness of the old native in keeping the three men alive during a siege and in bringing the rescuing column to them at the sacrifice of his own life brilliantly interprets the Kipling poem in vivid and memorable fashion. Using nearly 1,500 players and technicians, two-thirds of the action of ‘ Gunga Din ’ is to be filmed in the High Sierras, with the snowclad Sierra Mountains being used for the Himalayan peaks of the story’s actual locale. Some of the largest sets ever constructed for motion picture work are being employed, and these, built on a vast scale, will ensure that the backgrounds and settings of the film will be authentic.

Stan Laurel now wants his Russian bride, Uliana, to be leading lady in the next Laurel and Hardy comedy.

MOUSE TRAP SALESMEN

LAUREL AND HARDY LOOSE IN SWITZERLAND The new Laurel and Hardy musical extravaganza, ‘ Swiss Miss,’ featuring Della Lind, Viennese singing star, and Walter Woolf King in the romantic leads, is said to boast a lilting score. Phil Charig, London and New York composer, has written five tunes —‘ Yo-Ho-De-O-De-Lay-Ee-O,’ ‘ The Cricket Song,’ ‘As Sure As There’s a Sky Above.’ ‘ I Can’t Get Over the Alps,’ and ‘ Gipsy Song ’ for the picture. The

first is believed to be the first waltz clog written since the perennially popular ‘ Sweet Rosie O’Grady.’ It is sung by Miss Lind, King, and a huge chorus. Equally melodic are the choral numbers and music for the dances which are in keeping with the background of the film. One of the group, ‘ The Mountain Shepherd’s Dance,’ is described by Val Raset, who directed the routine, as’ the Swiss variation of the ‘ Big Apple.’ An ensemble of 138, including a group of real Swiss flag-throwers, takes part in this spectacular offering. In ‘ Swiss Miss ’ Laurel and Hardy appear as mouse-trap salesmen about to rid the cheese-making country of its rodent population.' At an alpine inn they come upon a noted Viennese composer who is at work on a new operetta. His wife, an actress, has incurred his jealousy because the critics give more attention to her singing than to his music. She follows him to the inn hoping for a reconciliation, but he spurns all her advances. Laurel and Hardy, smitten with her charm and beauty, become foils in the ruse she employs to regain her husband’s love.

MOSLEMS DISLIKE ' DRUM ’

A crowd of Moslems picketed Bombay’s oldest theatre, where the film ‘ The Drum ’ was being shown. They object to it because of the aspersions which, they allege, are cast in it on the frontier Pathans. Propaganda was also worked up for some days by the Nationalist newspapers, which said that the film is imperialistic jingo and harmful to India’s freedom. At a public meeting a resolution was passed protesting against ‘ The Drum,’ on the grounds that it “ justifies the aggressive policy of British imperialism against the freedom-loving independent The Government was asked to ban tribes of the North-West Frontier, depicting them as treacherous, wily, and ferocious, and the British as the saviours of humanity.”, the blip.

NEW EDDY VEHICLE

SPARKLING SINGING SHOW Born© along on tho lilt of attractive melody, sung splendidly by Kelson Eddy; whirled in entranced rhythm by the dancing feet of Eleanor Powell; carried away in laughter by the inmitablo Frank Morgan, Edna May Oliver, and Billy Gilbert, is ‘ Rosalie,’ one of tho brightest and best of this year’s talkie offerings. There are no half-measures about it. It is spectacle and composite entertainment of the type in which Hollywood specialises with success. You come away from it with that rested sensation which is the best contribution that the pictures make to work-a-day life.

it came into being in the United States as a Christmas attraction, and, even if in its voyaging to the Down Under regions it nearly caught up with Father Christmas on his next round, it still has the sparkling quality of carefree fun-making that is the characteristic of the “ Out the Old-In the New ” season. Its major characteristic is that it is big. That time-battered “ spruik ” of the carnival showman that he has brought his particular patch of entertainment to the thronging millions “ regardless of expense ” does not need to be tagged to this M.G.M. production, for it bursts upon the spectator with a glitter of spectacle and a dazzling array of stars. William Anthony M'Guire, who wrote the original ‘ Rosalie ’ that was one of the greatest Ziegfeld successes, has rewritten it for the screen, and produced it, too; and he had as otfsider, writing the musical numbers, Cole Porter. Porter has some of the best musical "hits” in the world to his credit, and this show will add to that list. Cast in a military role, but spending the greater part of the time singing is Nelson Eddy. He is separated from his Jeanette, but in her place is the quite satisfying Eleanor Powell, whose lively legs find plenty of work to do. Supplying the soprano is Ilona Massey, who has “ a way with her ” as well as an attractive voice; and backing up are a number of well-known stars with a heavy lading of comedy. ‘ Rosalie ’ is certainly big; and it is good, too.

ONCE A VAGABOND

NOW A SCREEN “ HEAVY " Bruce Cabot, who has been cast for the leading .ole in Action Pictures’ story of the airlines, ‘ Love Takes Flight,’ has led a vagabond life that carried him to far ports and made him conversant with all types of life. He was born in New Mexico and educated in schools of. that State, New York. Tennessee, and in France. Following the completion of his education he knocked about _ the world in various capacities, serving as a deckhand on a tramp steamer, a driller in oilfields, and sparring partner in a boxing camp. He began his acting career in stock at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, and went to Hollywood for the screen after finishing three months there. In ‘ Love Takes Flight ’ he will be seen as a transport pilot, and will be supported by Beatrice Roberts, a newidiscovery. ' _

CAPRA’S LATEST

WHAT OF " P DEEDS? " Following the completion of ‘ You Can’t Take It With You,’ the next Frank Capra picture will be ‘ Mr Deeds Goes to Washington.’ The story is based on an original, ‘ The Man from Wyoming,’ by Lew Foster. Columbia is attempting ■to get • Gary Cooper, creator of the original “ Mr Deeds,” for the picture. He is permitted to do several outside, pictures under his Samuel'Goldwyn contract. The studio intention also is to have Jean Arthur as the feminine lead. Following the success scored by ‘ Mr Deeds Goes to Town,’ this should be a most popular production.

STRONG CAST FOR AUTRY WESTERN

Set in a background of the most pictorially beautiful along the old Santa Fe trail country, the picturesque West has been caught in all its glory in ‘ In Old Santa Fe,’ Action Pictures forthcoming Gene Autry musical western. In this picture Autry, who has, in a few short months, established himself as one of New Zealand’s cinema favourites, will be supported by a east of front-rank favourites, including Ken Maynard, George “ Windy ” Hayes, Smiley Burnette, H. B. Warner, and Evelyn Knapp. Never before has such a prominent cast been selected for a western, and thip is indeed proof that this type of entertainment is still very popular with filmgoers all over the world. ‘ln Old Santa Fe ’ will be released throughout New Zealand at Christmas.

STAGE FOLK

NEW ZEALAND ACTRESS FOR ENGLAND. The young New Zealand actress, Miss Leslie Crane, formerly of Whangarei, who has appeared in many stage pro-* ductions in Australia and the Dominion, has left for England on the advice or Miss Ruth Draper,, who was impressed with her work in the Commonwealth (.says the ‘ Dominion ’). Miss Crane studied dancing in Auckland, and during the New Zealand toua of the ‘ Blue Roses ’ Company she was seen by Cyril Richards, who advised her to go to Sydney. She heeded only this encouragement to leave for a wider fieldand on arriving in Sydney she joined the chorus of ‘Hold My Hand.’ Then followed more chorus work and spoken lines in ‘ Our Miss Gibbs.’ and 'The Quaker Girl,’ and ‘Blue Moun-. tain Melody,’ and later she; was entrusted with principal roles in ‘ Country; Girl,’ ‘ Katinka,’ and other plays. •Chosen as the leading player in the English Comedy Company, which enjoyed much success in Australia, Miss Crane proved her ability as an actress and dancer. She then appeared in ‘Over She Goes,’ ‘Yes, Madam t ’ and finally ‘ Balalaika ’ before returning to New Zealand for a rest. . Miss Crane’s family includes othoe stage artists. Miss Phoebe Hodgson, well-known English comedienne being an aunt, and Geoffrey, Brighton, who appeared in New York in Noel Caward’s ‘ Conversation Piece,’ a cousin. Miss Crane will be able to renew hen friendship with several Australian art-

thor since the writing of the stark, brutally realistic ‘ All Quiet on the Western Front,’ so the film versions of his books have gained ease and authenticity. The story is that of four of the “ lost generation",” the war generation, as one of them says, half living and half dead. In 1920 they are all still very young, but they have gone through the horror of the greatest-war in history, and that war has ended for their country in all the chilling finality ,of defeat. Three are men, sworn comrades of the battle line, who have refused to be separated after the war. From the demolished and confiscated Imperial Air Force they return to work, and their training finds for them a small motor repair and taxi business.

mm OVER MATTER

HOW IT WORKED WITH JACK OAKIE Friends of Jack Oakie are having to be reintroduced to the screen funster as a result of his successful campaign to take off weight. Reporting for his starring role in RKO-Radio’s * The Affairs of Annabel,’ it was discovered that the rotund comedian had lost a total of 451 b, and that none of his clothes in his extensive wardrobe would fit him. He now tips the scales at 1601 b, and he’s had to pay 600dol fewnew clothes and alterations. “It’s just a question of mind over matter,” said Oakie in his famous nonchalant manner. “ I mind what the doctor tells me about food. I mind what my physical culture trainer tells me about exercise. That ends the matter.” The reduction was accomplished in three' months with a consistent programme of massage, exercise, and diet. Friends who have know Oakie over a period of years claim he looks just like he did 12 years ago, when he first made his screen debut.

ists at present in London production** Cyril Richards, who was responsible for beginning her career, is at : present working in films, and his wife, Madga Elliot, lias just completed a season mi pantomime. ■ ‘ AN INVITATION FROM NEW ZEALAND. Mr W. E. Fowler, of Bristol, ha* received an invitation- from the secra tary of the Wellington Competitions Society inviting him to judge the instrumental classes at the Centenary festival in 1940. The ‘Western Daily Press ♦ (Bristol) remarks: “Needless to say,-. Mr Fowler, who has been a .foremost! figure in Bristol musical affairs for*' many years, is much gratified with this Invitation, and the propf it affords thatt Kis services as adjudicator of instrument tal and some vocal classes, in 1935 _ara not forgotten. The Competitions Society; of Wellington extends its work through-# out New Zealand, and at this year’s festival there were 4,445 entries, aboud double the number of our Bristol) Eisteddfod entries. Mr Fowler would) like to make another trip to New Zealand, but whether he will be able to do so remains to he' seen.” EXTENSIVE REPERTOIRE. With the enormous repertoire of tbs Covent Garden Russian Ballet, two changes of programme weekly are possible. During the season in Melbourne, there is being presented a varied and/ interesting selection of ballets, including; many which have not hitherto been/ given in Australia. These new ballets are ‘ Choreartium,’ ‘ La ‘ Jeux d’Enfants,’ /Union Pacific,^ ‘ The Good-humoured Ladies,’ ‘ Thai Gods Go A-Begging;’ * Cendrillon * (‘Cinderella’), *Le Pavilion,’ ‘Protee,’ ‘ Beach,’ ‘ Coq d’Or,’ ‘ Danses Slaves et Tziganes,’ ‘ Symphonic tastique,’ ‘ Fils Prodigue,” and ‘ Polislj Fete.’ The company is expected to come t(t New Zealand.

GERMANY AFTER THE WAR

LATEST REMARQUE NOVEL FILMED AH the turmoil, the heartbreak, and the shattered hopes of post-war Germany are portrayed in ‘ Three Comrades,’ M.-G.-M., which stars Robert The fourth is a girl, a fallen aristocrat to whom the poverty and lack of food of a blockaded country in war-time have given the dread plague of consumption. She loves one of the trio, and is adopted as comrade by all three. Her secret is kept from the man she marries, in order that he should remain fully happy until the last. When she is taken ill, the loyalty of the comrades is so great that all their possessions are sold to give her a last chance for life—a chance that she is loath to take. Though the story takes place in the years 1919 and 1920, the scenes are strikingly free of anachronism. That they should be entirely free seems too much to expect, but the incongruities are very few. A scene that will linger for a long time in the memory of its beholders is that in which the slayer of one of the three comrades, a half-crazy youth who shoots at the backs of running men from a safe vantage point, is hunted down by another of the three amid the Christmas snows of Berlin and slain within the shadow of a church. Taylor, Franchot Tone, Robert Young, and Margaret Sullavan. The film has a power that is seldom attained on the screen. Its plot and subject are new to pictures, but nevertheless carry the conviction of truth. Just as Remarque himself has improved as an au-