WITH THE MOVIE STARS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19052, 16 September 1933, Page 16 (Supplement)

WITH THE MOVIE STARS.

(From a Co

Herbert Marshall in Demand. Mr Herbert Marshall, who recently hastened from London to Hollywood to fulfil a contract with Paramount, has been borrowed by Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer to play in ‘‘Solitaire Man” with the English actress Miss Elizabeth Allan (writes Seton Margrave).

Mr Marshall reoeives £IOOO a week, while Miss Allan has a contract under which she will earn £120,000 in seven years.

Mr Marshall left England early last month for Hollywood, accompanied by Miss Edna Best, his wife.

■respondent.)

Clark Gable 111.

Mr, Clark Gable, the film Idol of millions, underwent an operation for appendioltis In August. It was reported afterwards that his condition was satisfactory, and that no complications had developed. Mr Gable was expected to return to the studio in three or four weeks, and plans are now being prepared for him to make two pictures. This was Mr Gable’s second appearance in hospital in less than a fortnight. Eight days previously he had his tonsils removed, and he had been out of hospital only a

week when he returned for the appendicitis operation. His ailment is described as a ohronlo oase. The news of his impending operation was flashed out, and when Mr Gable went Into hospital hundreds of telegrams poured In inquiring about condition. These came from his “fans” all over the oountry, and from friends and colleagues In Hollywood. Mr Gable's rapid rise to popularity has been one of the marvels of film history. He* has been happily marrled four years to Miss Rita Langham, who has no connection with the films. He was to have started “Dancing Lady" with Miss Joan • Crawford. Two other pictures projected are a co-starring film in.which he will appear with Mr Robert Montgomery, and “Soviet," with Mr Wallace Beery. Young Doug. Embarrassed.

Mr. Douglas Fairbanks Jun. Is genuinely embarrassed by {he suggestion revealed in The Daily Mail recently that an engagement between him and Miss Gertrude Lawrence, the actress, may shortly be announced. His former wife, Miss Joan Crawford, the cinema star, obtained a divoroe on May 12 last at Los Angeles. Mr. Fairbanks returned to this country last week after his serious Illness ,in New York, and is now back In London after spending three days at Miss Lawrence’s home near Southampton. When asked what he thought of ,the rumoured forthcoming engagement he smiled happily, and said, “Oh, well, it Is Just one of those things you have to laugh off.” He was looking remarkably well, but he said, “My looks believe me. I am feeling anything but well, and I am under strict orders to rest for two months.”

I told him an important London company was hoping that he would be able to play the leading part In a spectacular talking picture. 'He blushed with pleasure, but said he was sorry he could not consider it at the moment.

“Our plans at the moment,” he said, “are so vague that it would be wrong to say anything definite. Really, all I can fairly say is that I am tremendously happy to be back In London, and am resolved to get well in the next two months. Only after that shall I begin to think of work again."

Charles Chaplin as a Boy. One of Charles Chaplin’s close friends, who has known the screen comedian since he was knee-high to a grasshopper, recently revealed a bit of interesting early history about him. Charles, he said, received his baptism as an actor when, at the age of eight, he became a member of the “Eight Lancashire Lads,” an English vaudeville dance troupe. During the period that he stayed with the act, he received the munificent sum of 10s per week plus his board and lodging. Being a good boy and a dutiful son, Charles regularly sent the money to his mother, whd was in very poor circumstances. Charles is now reputed to be the richest man in fllmdom.

Thoy’re Still In Love. Intimates of Sally Ellers and Hoot Gibson are convinced this pair will make another try at domestic bliss upon Sally’s return from Europe. At the time of their most recent separation—the second since their marriage —it was agreed between them that Sally was to obtain a divorce, and that Hoot was to court her l'or six months. H, they decided, Hoot could win back her affections in that period, they would remarry. The legal papers were drafted and ready for filing, when Sally relented and instructed her attorney to withhold the action. That they are in love there is no doubt in the minds of their confidantes. Temperament is their only problem. During her stay on the Continent, Sally has cabled, ’phoned or written Hoot dally.

A British Thrlllw. The Ghoul is a British production whioh can rank with the best in the production of pictures of the calculated-to-thrill type. This is an excellent vehicle for Boris •Karloff and his weird make-up as a mad scientist Is a demonstration of the manner in which the British make-up man oan respond to the challenge of Hollywood. Settings and swift movements are features of the film which is also remarkable for some exceptional acting, notably from Cedric Hardwicke and Ernest Theseiger. There can be little doubt that here is a subjeot destined for outstanding success and one which the mass of movie fans will readily appreciate.

Jaokle Cooper’s 76,000 dollar .loss, r Perhaps there was something significant in the fact that when Jackie Cooper disappeared from the Metro lot the other day, searchers found him an hour later inspecting revolvers in a pawn shop a block away. It seems that only 24 hours before, Jackie had accepted a salary cut of 76,000 dollars for the next two years. The slash was revealed when the child star and his mother, Mrs. Mabel Bigelow, appeared in court, and obtained official approval on an amendment to a oontract entered into with Metro on June 3, 1931. Under the old agreement, it was provided the young luminary would draw 1300 dollars a week for the first two years; 2000 for the third; 2500 for the fourth, and 3000 for the filth. During the life of the pact, Jackie was to be given not less than 40 weeks work out of each 12 months. Under the rearranged terms, Jackie receives only 1300 dollars a week for the next two years. He's now 10 years old.

Joan Crawford’s New Romance. Romance is as much a part of Joan Crawford’s life as is her work, and now that she has cut the legal ties that bound her to Doug. Fairbanks Jr., she is making no secret of her interest in Franchot Tone. Seldom an evening passes that they are not seen together at some social function, a night olub or one of the theatres. When Franchot recently leased a new home, it was Joan who stepped In and personally supervised the decorating and furnishing. Joan’s divorce does not become final until next May.

Sylvia Sidney Indignant. Miss Sylvia Sidney, the petite, dark-eyed successor of Miss Clara Bow, the original "It” girl of the screen, is fuming witli indignation at the charges of “professional anarchy” brought against her by Hollywood. These arose through her action in leaving—owing, she says, to a recurrence of a gland ailment —before completing a film for the Paramount firm.

Value of Pictures. The value of ‘the motion picture production in Hollywood, according to last Governmental figures, is approxi-

mately 121,000,000 dollars, states the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce report. These pictures gave entertainment to theatre-goers all over the world. We do not like all the pictures that we see. However, It is difficult to satisfy the entertainment desires of many millions of human beings. At any rate, the figures given indicate the substantial volume of the production. In addition to this, of course, the industry has additional Investments which makes the manufacturing one of the largest in total.