Dumb Doras Make Money

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 151, 29 June 1938, Page 11

Dumb Doras Make Money

Smart girls of Hollywood who 4 ‘play dumb” in screen roles are finding increasing favour among theatre patrons and growing demand for their varied comedy talents in current film productions.

Many of the screen’s most accomplished actresses, a survey of tho film colony revealed, are passing up such traditional assets as classical profiles, lavender and old lace mannerisms and the business of “tear dimmed eyes” familiar to the old fashioned heroines. Willing to sacrifice glamour for comedy, they are riding to success on gales of laughter. Among the famous “dumb Doras” of Hollywood whose present popularity provides that chuckles instead of heartthrobs ring the cash register of public adulation, aro Gracie Alien, Alice Brady, Marie Wilson, Dorothea Kent, Zasu Pitts and Mary Livingstone. Together, these actresses, all past graduates of the dramatic stage, demonstrate that the movies will shower gold upon those players willing to forget coy prettiness and concentrate on comedy, even at the expense of dignity. Abandoning the dramatic roles of her Broadway days, Alice Brady has turned to comedy to become one of the most-in-demand players on the screen. She is credited with starting the present era of nonsensical characterizations by her role in “My Man Godfrey” with Qarole Lombard and William Powell. Contrasting with her success in stage drama, Alice’s hilarious sense of comedy has lifted her to the heights of whirligig film portrayals. Currently soaring to comedy i'arao in such hits as 4 4 More Than a Secretary,” “Having a Wonderful Time” v and “Goodbye Broadway” is Dorothea Kent, number one blonde of the film colony. Dorothea started her career as a dramatic actress, but gave it up to win wide acclaim with her “dumb blonde” roles. Her popularity is skyrocketing. Gracie Allen established her particu-