Linda Darnell Had Unique Experience

Northern Advocate, 17 February 1940, Page 8

Linda Darnell Had Unique Experience

A Hollywood Cinderella story with a new twist is the saga of lovely Linda Darnell.

Unknown and unsung until 20th Century-Fox production chief Darryl F. Zanuck announced that he had chosen her to play the feminine lead in Elsa Maxwell’s “Hotel for Woman,” the Cosmopolitan production, this dark-eyed daughter of a Dallas, Texas, post office clerk, was brought to Hollywood two years ago with Mary Healy and Dorris Bowdon.

While Mary and Dorris stayed on to be built toward stardom, Linda was told she was too young and was sent home with a vague promise that she might hear from the studio later on.

Back in her home town. Linda took the studio’s advice and joined a Little Theatre. And here's where the dramatic twist comes in. Unknown to her. the studio planted talent scouts in the audience to waten her progress. When they reported that she seemed ready for a screen career, the studio wired her train fare and asked her to come at once!

Arriving, still breathless, in Hollywood, Linda was immediately signed to a contract.

Tested with a large group of girls, mostly seasoned actresses, Linda won the “Hotel for Women" role, in a cast which features her with Ann Southern, James Ellison, Jean Rogers, Lynn Bari, June Gale, Joyce Compton, Elsa herself. John Halliday, Katharine Aldridge, Alan Dinehart and Sidney Blackner.