GONE BRITISH.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 16 (Supplement)

GONE BRITISH.

THE TREND IN HOLLYWOOD.

ENGLISH VOICES POPULAR

HOLLYWOOD, March 17.

Hollywood has gone British with a vengeance. With the talkies came the realisation that some American voices weren’t very good on the screen, and straight away there was a demand for English voices. Some vf the Americans, such as Rutb Chatterton, Kay Francis,'Ann Harding, John Barrymore, and others had cultured voices, but there weren t enough to go around. “Where can we pick up ■ those necessary cultured accents?” vyailed the movie directors and supervisois. “Why, in England, of course," announced some divine .inspiration. And that is how “the-English-are-vcry-nruch-vvith-us" began in Hollywood. Hollywood is nothing if not thoroughgoing and if English it was to be, Hollywood was determined that things would be very, very English. Now the movie stars in Hollywood have taken to •speaking with a broad “a” and they are drinking tea at 4 •o’clock. The studios have gone to no end of trouble to see that productions with an English background live up to what is known as “good form” in Merrie England.

Cricket and Badminton.

The colony has gone British extensively. They are playing cricket

there now. It was started by Clive Brook and Ronald Colman, two Englishmen; but Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., says that in cricket America has been overlooking a.sport that “is” a sport. Badminton, hitHerto’o unknown in America, has been taken up with enthusiasm by the Hollywood stars. iHarpo Marx has gone violently badminton. So 'have Anita Page and other well-known players. Marion Davies, Clark Gable, Mary and Doug, Jean and Doug Jr., Joan Bennett, the John Barrymores, Helen Hayes, and others are fast becoming expert at 'this “new fascinating” game. A Funny Situation.

In the wake of the drive to expel from Hollywood all alien actors who were not legally entitled to- residence there comes a funny situation. The Hollywood British are screaming about the newly imported British! Those who arrived in the gold camps of Hollywood early feel that they are entitled tc first choice when it comes to getting English roles in films.

The recent 'importation In droves of English actors and actresses such as Fox did for “Cavalcade,” has got. the Hollywood Britons by the ears, so' to speak. They are in favour of strongly restricted imports for the future when it comes to brother Britishers. New Zealand Actress Affected.

Nola -Luxford, for a long time a capable New Zealand film star and stage success, has been among those accustomed to getting roles calling for English actresses. What was her recent dismay 'to have two fat parts whisked right out from under her nose by the newly imported English actress, Benita Ilume. Benita is under contract at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, so Benita gets the breaks. Nola is hoping confidently that she will get past all the new imports when it comes to "Berkeley Square,” and that in the film version she will get the chance to play the same role she did on the stage here. Nola’s case is typical of many Britishers who arc getting their noses a bit out of joint by the new procedure. Passion For Everything British.

Leslie Howard and Herbert Marshall, two line English actors, are in greater demand than any of Hollywood’s own leading men, and every boat- brings new recruits to the studios from England, among them Benita Hume. Diana Wynyard, Brian Aherne. Heather Angel and numerous others.

“How do you explain this sudden Hollywood passion for everything British ?" Leslie Howard was asked, "It all seems to me try go hark to the difference in Ihe altitude of America and England toward the acting profession." he answered.

“For instance, my friends in New (Continued foot of previous column].