Character Parts Stars' Versatility

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 8

Character Parts Stars' Versatility

Many of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars are deserting their typed roles of blameless heroines to follow the villainess trail blazed by Bette Davis, who has proved beyond all doubt that there is far more glory in playing “meanie” roles than stereotyped “nice’’ onec. In the past few months Hollywood has been startled by many interesting changes of characters among top-flight stars, and studios as well as stars are wondering how the changes will “go over” (writes a Hollywood correspondent). Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Miriam Hopkins, Ida Lupino, Judith Barret, and a few lesser lights have switched to unsympathetic roles that have brought them far more praise from Hollywood critics than the best of their glamour roles. In addition, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Kay Francis, Rosalind Russell, and Ann Sothern have made revolutionary changes in their latest films.