ROONEY AND BARTHOLOMEW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1939, Page 4

ROONEY AND BARTHOLOMEW

WHAT WILL BECOME OF THEM? Five years from now. what will the casting rosters of Hollywood reveal? The popular “kid" stars will be grown-ups by that lime. Will they still be in pictures, or not? Will they be playing leads, or will old Father Time see fit to put them into entirely different branches of work?

Fred Datig, casting director at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, is willing to venture some predictions as to just where the youngsters on this particular lot arc heading. He bases these predictions on past performances and on the personalities of these potential stars who consider him among their staunchest friends.

“In Mickey Rooney,” Datig said, “we will find another Spencer Tracy. Mickey’s personality, his ability, all point toward this fact. There is no danger of Mickey ever branching into another profession. Even if he doesn’t choose the field of acting, five years will find him occupied in some division of the film industry. “He wants to be a director; he could be one, and successfully. He wants to be a producer; this may also be well

vilhin his power. But if I know Mickey as I think I know him. he will never get full satisfaction cut of anything outside of being in front of that camera and expressing the emotions he feels. He is really what is known as a natural born actor.” The case of Freddie Bartholomew gives rise to a bit more speculation. “Five years will still find Freddie classed as a juvenile,” Datig explained. “Freddie can ’grow up on the screen if he wants to. The youngster, however, has a definite academic trend which might lead him into other fields of endeavour. I am willing to hazard a guess, however, that five years from now will find Freddie doing the same type of juvenile leads in which Jackie Cooper and Frankie Thomas are appearing today. Freddie has a great gift, one that should find a definite place despite any age barrier.” In Judy Garland Datig sees the feature leading singing-comedienne of the age. "Five years makes more difference in a girl than in a boy," he said. "It is more difficult to predict where they arcconcerned. Personally, however, I can’t see where Judy could -miss. She has a great voice, and an unusual flair for comedy. I don't feel that she will be the romantic leading lady. Instead she will bo a comedy star in her own right, and a star equally popular on both stage and screen."