ROMEO AND JULIET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 1 May 1937, Page 12

ROMEO AND JULIET

With his famous father starring in the film in Ibie role of Romeo, Ronald Howard has commenced his film career in M.G.M. s “Romeo and Juliet.” Son of Leslie Howard, he won his role without using any of his father’s influence. About fourteen years old, and with more than a share of his father’s good looks, young Howard has set for himself a writing career. But he felt that motion picture work would give him experience that he needed. Therefore when production commenced on “Romeo and Juliet,” he approached the casting offices and won an extra’s role. On the set he attracted the attention of George Cukor, the director, who. impressed with his bearing, allotted him the small role of a page. Although Leslie soon recognised his son, he said nothing until the boy greeted him as “father.” Cukor feels that the boy, who comes by his talents honestly and has exhibited unusual talent before the camera, has excellent screen possibilities, but young Ronald lias no screen ambitions. His writing comes first, and he has already produced a book of verse. Norma Shearer, in the role of Juliet, has the leading role in the picture, the cast of which is particularly elaborate, including John Barrymore, Basil Rathbone, Edna May Oliver, C. Aubrey Smith and Reginald Denny. Y Y Y Y “Think Fast, Mr Moto,” a thriller with Peter Lorre in the title role, has gone into production.