The SCREEN and its STARS

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 931, 29 November 1933, Page 3

The SCREEN and its STARS

“ J WANT to do a bigger and more serious subject, something the whole empire knows about, and I don't care if it costs £50,000," was the remark passed by Tcm Walls to the film correspondent of the “ Daily Telegraph ” recently, after a private view of his amusing new comedy, “ Just Smith He preferred, he added, a story in which he could ride. He had thought of the exploits of Ned Kelly, the Australian bushranger, only to be deterred by the impossibility of finding the right scenery in Europe. \yHEN CHARLES BICKFORD went to Elstree with a reputation for shouting defiant “ noes ” into the “ yes-men’s" chorus at Hollywood, some people had an idea that the picturesque red-haired six-footer was going to be a ticklish proposition to handle. He has turned out to be nothing of the sprt, says a correspondent. On the contrary, he is popular in the studio. Bickford is a straight talker, but essentially so good-natured and reasonable that everybody likes him; and he is said to be fitting splendidly into the part of Joe Prince, the circus proprietor, in the picture which is being made of Lady Eleanor Smith’s story, “ Red Waggon.” This will probably be the biggest talking film made vet in the British International studios. It is designed to challenge Hollywood in its international appeal. Racquel Torres and Greta Nissen head the feminine interest, and another Hollywood importation is Don Alvarado, whose passport difficulties at Plymouth recently arose out of the fact that he was without a British visa because he thought he was to act in Italy.

I r JMIE breakfast table is where finicky appetites grow most temperamental. But (.'lark Gable admits that nothing suits his first meal of the day so much as good old ham and eggs. Marion Davies says that she can get by nicely on orange juice and coffee, but confesses to a breakfast weakness for Welsh rarebit—of all things! Greta Garbo usually has toast and tea sent to her dressing room for breakfast whilst making up for the day’s work at the studio. Norma Shearer says cereals and fruit suffice in the morning, unless she is free to sleep late, and then, why, a minute steak with waffles isn’t at all hard to take. Then there is John Barrymore, who rises on a glass of hot water and lemon juice to pave the way for French toast, with lots of Vermont syrup and two cups of coffee. His brother Lionel is less robust at the breakfast table. He prefers soft-boiled eggs, and has a decided loathing for oatmeal and prepared cereals. Helen Hayes likes chocolate instead of coffee at breakfast. Nils Asther actually eats pie or tart in the morning, and also sprinkles his fried eggs with sauce. Jean Harlow’ is content to start the day with fruit, tea and Melba toast. Wallace Beery could not think of stirring without sausage or pork chops with his eggs and coffee. Walter Huston has an after-shower appeiite for pigs-in-blan-kets, with French fried potatoes and milk. Jackie Cooper laments a prescribed breakfast of cereals, cream and milk when he really prefers ice-cream and bananas. Marie Dressier likes to nibble on cold pieces of fried chicken, but usually confines her morning meal to creamless coffee, fruit juices and whole-wheat toast. Joan Crawford keeps that waistline with tea and biscuit crackers.

THE ROMANCE which culminated in the marriage of Sally Eilers at Yuma, Arizona, to Harry Joe Brown, a Hollywood film director, first developed in London. Sally Eilers. who secured a divorce from Hoot Gibson the cowboy film star, in August, went to Europe in the French liner lie de France in May during her separation from .him. Brown was also on his way to London to take scenes for a new production, and he and Sally Eilers saw London together. He says: “ I loved her at first sight. But it was only at her birthday party in September that she said ‘ Yes.’ ” In the spirit of this age young Hollywood rides to marriage in a swift aeroplane. Not content to, wait the three days decreed by Californian laws, couples rush off to Arizona to get the knot tied in a moment. So Yuma, which is now the Gretna Green for Hollywood elopements, was the scene of Sally Eilers’s marriage. She and Brown were accompanied by an aeroplane frcjm Hollywood by Ben Lyon and his wife, Bebg Daniels, Lew Cody, and other intimate friends. The ceremony was performed by F. A. Freeman. he sailed for Paris recently, Maurice Chevalier left to the officials of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios the problem of finding a leading lady for “ The Merry Widow,” which is listed as the smiling Frenchman’s next picture. Three outstanding candidates for the part are Joan Crawford, Jeanette MacDonald and Grace Moore. The studio officials have looked over the schedules of the three women to see which of the trio may be available in December.