STUDIO CHATTER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 3, 24 July 1946, Page 6

STUDIO CHATTER

# A FEATURE COLUMN “LAURA” Unknowns Taking Hollywood During the past year, more ‘unknowns’ have zoomed to screen fame through Hollywood than during any other period in motion picture history. A New ‘Role’ Reginald Gardiner is to be King Charles 11. in “Forever Amber,” and actor Alan Mowbray will have a new type of assignment in the same picture—he will act as technical advisor. . ■ Her Greatest Success Gene Tierney, who gives an excellent performance in “Laura” a current release, has high cheek bones and narrow piercing eyes that enable her to portray the beauties of the more exotic races. In “Son or Fury” she was a Polynesian; in “Shanghai Gesture” a Eurasian, and in “A Bell For Adano,” a Sicilian. The part she plays as an American girl in “Laura'” represents her greatest film success. Variety Dana Andrews, a star of “Laura,” has led a varied life. He was born in 1912, the son of a minister. Before finally finding his way to the screen he was in turn a publicity writer, advertising salesman, petrol station attendant, weed-fig-cotton-orange picker, plumber’s assistant, delivery boy, apiary attendant, tinsmith, gutter layer, accountant, school bus driver, ditch digger, and oil salesman. He graduated to Hollywood through the stage. REGENT “Hitler Lives?” This is the title of the Academy Award-winning featurette released a month ago in Auckland, and which will be screened as a short feature in conjunction with “Laura” at the Regent, Whakatane, commencing next Wednesday. A striking endorsement of this short is given in a statement by Major General Kippenberger C.B. 'C.B.E. D.S.O. and Bar, in which he states that ah though it is a pity to perpetuate the hatreds of war, it is not a pity to nourish a hatred of evil, and a determination to prevent its resurgence. “I came away,” he said, ‘feeling with refreshed conviction that we had fought against the powers of evil incarnate on the earth, and that everything had been worthwhile. I agreed with someone who suggested that “Hitler Lives?” should be shown in every theatre every few months for the next fifty years.” “Laura” Regent screening Wed. Thurs. and Fri., July 31, August 1 and 2. “Laura” represents a strange , and unusual departure from the usual run of screen dramas. It has been billed as a ‘surprise’ film, and fulfills every letter of the word. Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb and Dana Andrews play leading parts, and incidentally, it was this film which rocketed all three to fame. A feature for all audiences, particularly those with a liking for drama and suspense.