TALIKIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 57, 1 September 1939, Page 6

TALIKIES

Diana Churchill, playing in "Jane Steps Out t ''» is one of those stars whom the Americans so expressively term "a natural." In other words' her playing is so effective and seemingly part of herself at aU times that one forgets that this is an actress putting over her ''lines.'' Her j interpretations are always intelligent and she is far from being that type of young British actress who in her efforts to remain dignified, succeed merely m playing every role on the. emotional level of a vicarage tea party. The spontaneous remark made 133* most people after seeing Dian a play is "What a charming girl!" and there lies the secret of her success. She has not attempted a blatant exhibitionism or pitched her playing 011 a key and .volume calculated to drown everyone else in the cast, but an acute student of dramatic stvle would see just how telling those quiet lines have been made.

When storms are required Diana can summon them with the best. Everyone will remember her outbursts in "The Dominant Sex," and in Jane Steps Out" there is another instance of her being roused to fury and a speech that raises this rather small figure head and shoulders above everyone else on the set. "Jane Steps Out" tells the story of Jane who so much the useful mem ber of the family that visitors took i her for the housekeeper, and not a daughter of the \Vilton family. Her sister Beatrice has handsome Basil home for the week-end and Jane goaded by Beatrice's contempt, threatens to stea] the boy from her. I Aided and abetted by Granny Jane does capture him, but in trying to keep her promise to give him back to Beatrice, finds she is in love with him, as he ,is with her. To drive him off, she stages a compromising situation, but merely succeeds in closing the bonds between them even tighter.

News, Views and' Forthcoming Events

GENE AUTRY'S RISE Because an executive of a record- - , ing company told Gene Autry that He "would have to learn hovv to sing . into a microphone," the Republic Studio's cowboy sensation is to.day America's most popular actor—if fan mail means anything. He receives , letters 'which pour info Hollywood at the rate of six to ten thousand every week. The story of Autry's rapid to success is unique. He went to Ne\v York City from Oklahoma, in an attempt to secure an audition with the Victor Recording Company. But, after sitting patiently i n the waiting room for three days without getting his audition, the singer decided to do something drastic. He began play*ing and singing in the reception hail" An executive heard him, and admitted that Autry had possibilities, but iiceded more experience, and would - have to 'Mearn tossing, into the mike." • Autry came back to Oklahoma, and in. Tulsa convinced the manager - of radio station KVOO he- had bilities as a; singing cowboy.. It was not long before the «'Yodel_ ing Cowboy'' was producing records for every major phonograph company and at the same time continuing his radio appearances. Sears-Roebuck gave him a spot as Master of Ceremonies on their national programme. After a thirteen week contract which extended into four Autry went to the' National Barn Dance hour, where he was a featur_. Ed star. M. J. Siegel, president of the American Record Company became interested in Gene and oflercd him screen test with a motion picturecompany- with which he was connected. The test was .successful* ! Along with "Smiley'' Burnette, art oki radio .partner, Gene came io California, and was starred in a ser"The Phantom Empire*." Since then, Autry's pictures havebroken records of the biggest and best known stars in the picture industry, and his recordings have con. sistently outsold Bing Crosby's threeto one.