Engagement of Merle Oberon

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 12 (Supplement)

Engagement of Merle Oberon

The attractive Tasmaninn actress, Merle Oberon, is reported to be engaged to David Niven, the fair young Scot who .was seen in "Splendour." "A London stage-star," who came to Hollywood on a visit to Merle Oberon and other old friends, David Niven does not appear in any English theatre lists. A more picturesque story declares him an adventurer, who came into Hollywood furtively, as a dodger of "prohibited immigrant" laws. One fact is known. Samuel Goldwyn has signed young Niven to a threeyears' contract. The romance with Merle began when she coached him for his screen-test. They have been constantly together since. Giving a list of the most attractive men in Hollywood, Miss Oberon recently described David as "the most amusing man in town." This is Merle Oberon's second engagement. The star prefers exotic romances. Her first betrothal, publicised eighteen months ago all over the world, was Joseph M. Schenck. Then head of United Artists, Schenck was on a visit to England—a veteran producer in his seventies. During the three-months' duration of the romance, Miss Oberon signed her first American contract, and appeared in the Schenck-Darryl Zanuck production, "Folios Bergere." She warn then twenty-two. "Folies Bergere" brought the start her present contract with United Artists.