STARS OF TOMORROW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1939, Page 4

STARS OF TOMORROW

NEW NAMES AND NEW FACES. Realising that the film stars we have will not always be with us, the studios are continually on the watch for youngsters who may be given a try-out in order to 'discover whether they should be prepared for stardom. i This business of providing new tai ent causes one of the worst headaches for studios, although nation-wide searches to find a particular person for a particular role —Scarlet O'Hara and The Golden Boy are two instances — may be prolonged for publicity value. But many of the important roles in new films now in production are being played by young girls who were unheard of twelve months ago. They may still be unheard of twelve months hence, but at least they are given a chance. Why they are being given that chance may still be doubtful; one cynic tokl me I could take my choice of three reasons: The studios’ pursuit of a new-old publicity angle; the studios’ panic that fresh faces must be found to replace the established stars when they fade; or a genuine desire on the part of a producer to “give the kids a break, anyhow.” The Golden Circle.

Paramount has its Golden Circle, a group of young players being “groomed for stardom” in this year of motion pictures' golden anniversary. The circle includes Susan Hayward, who a year ago was studying commercial art in Brooklyn, then recently landed the only woman’s role in "Beau Geste,” starring Gary Cooper. Now she is the leading lady opposite Bob Burns in "Our Leading Citizen.” Also in the circle are William Holden, lent to Columbia for “Golden Boy;” Louise Campbell, appearing in “The Star-Maker" with Bing Crosby; Ellen Drew, .who after "Sing, You Sinners” and “If I Were King" is now in England; William Henry who has a part in "Geronimo;” Joyce Matthews, in “Night Work" with Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland; Janice Logan in “What a Life” and to go into “Dr. Cyclops;" Joseph Allert in “Our Leading Citizen;" Judith Barrett in the film presentation of Lloyd Douglas’s novel. “Disputed Passage;” Evelyn Keyes and Robert Preston who are in “Union Pacific;” Betty Field, who plays with Jackie Cooper jn “What a Life," and Patricia Morison.

Another Deanna Durbin? Then there is 14-ycar-old- Linda Ware, Paramount's reply to Universal's Deanna Durbin. She has a featured role in "The Star-Maker" with Bing Crosby, and as soon as the picture is completed she will be starred in a film tentatively entitled, "A Star in Manhattan.” Young Linda's voice has a range of three and a half octaves — from low E to C above high C. Linda Monetta Eloyse Darnell, billed as "Hollywood’s No. 1 Cinderella Girl of 1939,” comes from Texas, where shei has been studying Spanish and art. and/ keeping up with amateur theatricals. Now she has the leading role in "Elsa Maxwell's Hotel for Women” being produced by Fox. Continuing, there is Mary Healy, also on the Fox lot. She was a stenographer 12 months ago: then she had a screen test; then she spoke seven words in "Up the River,” Irving Berlin heard her song; then she had a part vzith Sonja Henie in "Secondi Fiddle” and then she was drafted into | “.Elsa Maxwell's Hotel for Women.” |