MOVIE COLUMN.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17833, 7 March 1930, Page 6

MOVIE COLUMN.

ALL ABOUT THE STARS.

INTERESTING ITEMS. Fay Wray, Paramount actress, has the reputation among film folk in Hollywood of being an excellent cook and housekeeper. Invitations to Sunday dinner at her home are looked upon as priceless a»d are much sought after.

Jack Oakie, whose chief aim is to get a laugh out of life, is as popular off the screen as he is on it. He makes a great hit with theatre managers in Los Angeles because he is an inveterate first-nighter, and the people flock to their openings when he is scheduled to be on hand.

Harry Green, the screen comedian, is a handball enthusiast. When he is not working he can generally be found - at Param-ount's gymnasium strenuously perfecting his game.

Gary 'Cooper, the film star, is still more than half Montana cowboy at heart. The walls of his dressing room at the Paramount .studios are decorated with drawings of range life and with game specimens . which he himself shot and mounted.

Evelyn Brent has two homes, one in Hollywood and the other at Malibu seack. When she 4 is not working at Hollywood studio, most of her time is spent at the beach. ; * '* ■. * >. * Fuller Mellish, Junr., recently recruited 'by Paramount from the stage, is the youngest member of one of the oldest theatrical families in England. His grandmother was Rose LeClery, and his father appeared with Sir ' Henry Irving for several years. - * * * * Mary Eaton is married to Millard Webb, the motion picture director. * * * * Jack Oakie and Lawford. Davidson were brokerage clerks before they became show people. 'Oakie was on .Wall Street and Davidson in London. '"' _ .■ . ' * * * * Beryl Mercer, famous character actress of the stage and screen, was born in Seville, .Spain. Her .father was a Spaniard, her mother English. * * * * Mary Brian, Paramount featured player, is sft. 2in. tall, weighs 7.7, and has dark brown hair and hazel eyes. '"'-■: * * * *

STAGE FRIGHT

VITAL TO GOOD ACTING. Stage fright is' an absolute essential t0..-clever acting. An actor deals in emotions and stage-fright in a sort of electric 'nervousness that, properly controlled, spurs the actoron to artistic heights. Without that feeling, he. becomes wooden and does not vibrate emotionally'to the spirit of the play he is in. Those are the .observations of Lothar' Mendes, the director of Paramount's dramatic taming picture, "The Marriage Playground,"" in which Mary Brian and Frederick Marsh are featured. Mendes further says: "In'order to do_full justice to their parts, the players must

feel the director's eye upon them, responding' to them, watching them and spurring them on, never allowing a moment's relaxation from the high tension* During the making 1 of "The Marriage Playground," Miss Brian played her best scene while under this emotional spirit." "The Marriage Playground" was adapted from Edith Wharton's bestselling novel,- "The Children." The lar-ge supporting cast includes Kay Francis, Huntley Gordon, , Lilyan Tashman, David Newell, William Austin and Phillip de Lacy.

* * * * «~ JEAN ARTHUK IN. "THE BENSON , MURDER CASE." '

Jean Arthur, popular screen leading lady, has been assigned to the feminine lead in "The Benson Murder Case," William Powell's next starring picture-for Paramount. Miss Arthur replaces Pay Wray, who was assigned to another production. Othei's.in the east are CJlive Brook, Eugene Pallette, E. H. Qlavert and Neil Hamilton. Louis Gaznier is directing.

* * * * "SLIGHTLY SCARLET."

Filming on Scarlet," a new Paramount all-talking production, co-starring Evelyn Brent and Give Brook, has been* completed at the Hollywood studios. "Slightly Scarlet" is a Continental adventure romance. Paul Lukas, (Helen Ware, Henry Wadsworth, Morgan Farley* and Fred Kohler play the principal roles. Louis Gaznier . and Edwin .Knopf co-directed.

"YOUNG MAN OF MANHATTAN." Robert Presriell, well-known playwright, who wrote the adaptation for Maurice Chevalier's "The Big Pond," has been assigned to write the screen story for "Young Man of" Manhattan," a new Paramount talkie, featuring' Richard Arlen, iClaudette Colbert and Charles Ruggles. "Young Man of Manhattan" will go into production at the Long Island studios this month.

MARY ASTOR IN "LADIES '. LOVE BRUTES." Mary Astor, popular, leading- lady of silent films, has been assigned to one of the chief supporting roles in "Ladies Love Brutes," George Bancroft's next Paramount picture. "Ladies Love Brutes" was adapted from the stage play. "Pardon My Glove," by Zoe Akins. Ruth Chatt'erton plays the feminine lead. Fred Kohler and Frederick Marsh are in the cast. Rowland V. Lee is directing.

"THE TWO BLACK'.CROWS IN THE A.E.F." Walter Weems, who wrote the adaptation for "The Two Black *Crows in the A.E.F.," is also east in one of the chief supporting roles. Weems portrays .Sergeant Skipp, a coloured rival of . the Two Black .Crows in their courtships. Richard Wallace is directing. Others in the cast are Joan Peers, Henry Wadsworth and Neil Hamilton.