FAME IN THREE YEARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 12 (Supplement)

FAME IN THREE YEARS

REAL ROMANCE OF SCREEN SWIFr RISE OF SIX PLAYERS "Three years ago a Hollywood film director founded a British film company and chose four yonng women and two men all practically unknown as potential stars," says an English writer. "To-day three of them are worldfamous, two widely known in England at least, and the sixth will, I dare prophesy, be famous after the release of the remarkable H. G. Wells' film 'Things to Come,' in which he has a leading role. _ , "The man was Alexander Kordaj the company, London Film Productions; and the potential stars, Merle Oberon, Wendy Barrie, Joan Gardner, Diana Napier, Maurice Braddell and Robert Donat, all under 24 years of age. As an example of inspired picking and faith in untried young actors, there has never been anything of the same calibre in the British film industry, and probably never in America. "Only three years ago Merle Oberon was unheard of. Arriving from Tasmania, via India, she made her debut in 'Wedding Rehearsal' and then had an illness which prevented her from playing an important part. There followed a long wait until her brilliance in a small role as Anne Boleyn won her almost accidental recognition. Now, at the age of 24, she has become known to millions. "So also has Wendy Barrie, aged 23, and born in Hongkong. From a few small screen parts she has risen to Hollywood standard. Diana Napier, born in Bath, plays opposite her fiance, Richard Tauber, the tenor. "Joan Gardner will be seen in three big films early next year: 'Things to Come/ 'Lives of a Cossack,' and a film with Beniamino Gigli. Maurice Braddell has an important part in 'Things

to Come,' which is likely to impress his name on minds in England and abroad. "Robert Donat is now one of the most sought-after leading men in the world. He refused the opportunity of playing Romeo opposite Norma Shearer. It was in his second picture (London Films' third) that he met the American director, Rowland V. Lee, who remembered him when he wanted a leading man for 'The Count of Monte Cristo."