FOLLOWING THE FILM TRACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 164, 17 July 1946, Page 3

FOLLOWING THE FILM TRACK

Feeling between Clark Gable and his studio gets worse. There is a report that the star, who is now doing the social round in Southampton (Long Island) will sell his California estate and give up Hollywood permanently. „ • ♦ * David Niven is back an the set playing in “The Magnificent Doll” opposite Ginger Rogers, striving to appear light-hearted in a comedy role that must make him w nce. * » * * William Hart, jun., was cut off in his father's will without a cent., but will not discuss it.

Gertrude Lawrence has sold her biography, “A Star Danced,’’ to producer John Sutro, in London. She will fly to England this month to act as adviser. She wants an unknown player > portray her, and nas turned down o..srs from Ginger Rdgers, Rita Hayworth and others. It is a tremendous chance for some British actress.

William Powell is tired of playing the Thin Man—he wants a fat part for a change.

Deal has been completed by the Victor Company to issue an album of recordings of musical scores by Warner Brs.’ composer Max Steiner, inciud.ng his compositions for “Mildred Pierce,” “Saratoga Trunk” and “A Stolen Life.” Too much of glorious background music in films is lost to posterity, being designed merely to build up atmosphere for particular scenes or moods, and it is a happy thought that has prompted Victor Company to capture the best of these scoring arrangements.

One of the largest symphony orchestras ever assembled for a screen performance w.ll be conducted by Franz Maxman, Warner Bros, conduc-lor-composer, for the Joan CrawfordJohn Garfield picture, “Humoresque.” The orchestra will be composed of 115 pieces and will record several operatic masterworks for the picture.

Awards for Greer Garson keep pihng in. The latest comes from Palestine!

The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star has been chosen the outstanding actress of the year by the readers of

“Kolnoa” magazine of Telaviv, according to word reaching the studio lhis week.

A gold medal is on its way to Holly wood for formal presentation.

“Spellbound,” starring Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck, which was d.rected by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by David O. Selznick, has completed six months’ continuous screening at the Astor Theatre, New York. The total amount grossed during its run at the Astor Theatre was close to nine hundred thousand dollars—all time record for this theatre. “Spellbound” is based upon the novel entitled “The House of Dr. Edwardes” by Frances Beeding and was translated to the screen by Ben Hecht. The picture will shortly be released in the Dominion by United Artists.

Canine screen actor. Lassie, is officially joining the ranks of Hollywood's lop stars. The talented screen collie is to have a swimming pool! With a new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract, and one befitting Lassie’s position as one of the screen’s top box office -'avourites, the dog’s owner and trainer. Budd Weatherwax, has decided upon construction of the pool as soon as material is available. Lassie, who has done extensive swimming scenes in each of his three starring motion pictures, including the latest, ‘Courage of Lassie,” will then have an opportunity for a daily dip with his master, at their San Fernando Valley home.

Catherine Craig joined the cast of “The Perfect Marriage,” Hal Vvall’s production for Paramount, starring Loretta Young and David Niven. She will portray Julian Camberwell, a

gossipy Now York socialite. Miss ( Craig recently completed a role in another Wallis ’film, “The Strange Love

of Martha Ivers,” and was prominently cast in “Monsieur Beaucaire,” Bob Hope starrer at Paramount. John Vesper will play the wealthy Jack Camberwell, husband of Catherine Craig and members of New Zork cafe society.