Bennie Bartlett Much in Demand

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 11

Bennie Bartlett Much in Demand

BIG PROGRAMME TOR NINE-YEAR OLD (Kosy: Screening To-day.) Bennie Bartlett’s only trouble is that he’s not quintuplets. The nine-year-old redhead, who will be seen in Paramount’s “The Sky Parade," story of daring adventure high in the clouds, has made such a hit with directors and producers that they are constantly arguing as to which one will manage to get him for a picture. As an example, here was Bennie la programme, all at once: Cast and working in “The Sky Parade; cast and working in "Thirteen Hours by Air;’’ de* manded for the cast, but refused —of “Too Many Parents." After all, studio officials ruled, the boy was entitled to some time off, to play with other kids, and his two dogs. But then, work doesn’t seem to bother Bennie at all. He thrives on it, and seems to be unl happy with free time -on his hands. At the age of two, he could play the trap drums; at four, he was a trumpet soloist and dance orchestra conductor. He has composed many hit songs.

Acting iu a South Sea Island picture is no job for a "softie," Dorothy Lamour and John Hall will testify. Even before the big climax which gives its name to Samuel Goldwyn ’a production of “The Hurricane," was reached, Dorothy and Jon, who are playing the native heroine and hero of the film, took plenty of plysical punishment. Walking barefoot over pebbly beaches and jagged rocks, being drenched by cold water from dawn till dusk and having GO mile an hour gales whipped into their faces by batteries of wind machines were just their routine hardships. Each day brought some special ordeal, such as a lung-torturing under-water swim into a subterranean cavern or « fall from a cocoanut palm tree. <g> <3> <B> <9 Now in its seventh week at the Melbourne Plaza, “Wings of the Morning" is steadily adding to the array of records which it has smashed with supreme ease throughout the entire length and breadth of Australia and New Zealand.