Brief Biographies Of Stars In Latest Film “Romance Of Rosy Ridge”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 81, 13 August 1948, Page 3

Brief Biographies Of Stars In Latest Film “Romance Of Rosy Ridge”

Janet Leigh is living proof that miracles can and do still happen in Hollywood. This blonde, browneyed young lady of nineteen was signed to a picture contract although she had never faced a movie camera in her life. Less than two months later she found herself playing Van Johnson’s leading lady in ‘ Romance of Rosy Ridge.” Miss Leigh, daughter of the receptionist at the Sugar Bowl Ski Lodge in Soda Springs, Calif., was “discovered” by Norma Shearer when the latter spent a vacation at the Lodge. Tested by M.G.M., she was immediately given a long-term contract. She was born in Mercer, Calif., and was a student of music at the College of the Pacific. She is the possessor of a lovely soprano voice which is certain to be made use of in pictures. i Van Johnson Van Johnson, who plays one of his rare non-comedy roles in the new M.G.M. drama, “The Romance of Rosy Ridge,” was born in Newport, R. 1., and won his theatrical start in the chorus of “New Faces,” a revue featuring fresh Broadway talent. He gained polish in vaudeville, then appeared with Mary Martin in the famous Rainbow Room. Broadway parts in “Too Many Girls” and “Pal Joey” followed, and the film talent scouts closed in. “Murder in the Big House” was Johnson’s first picture, followed by supporting roles in two “Dr. Gillespie” dramas, “The Human Comedy” and “A Guy Named Joe.” “Two Girls and a Sailor” brought him into prominence and, after “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” his success was assured. “Thrill of a Romance,” “Week-end at the Waldorf,” “Easy to Wed,” “No Leave, No Love,” “Till the Clouds Roll By” and “High Barbaree” are his most recent pictures. Dean StockwelPs Role Eleven year old actor, Dean Stockwell, who has appeared with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Wallace Beery and Tom Drake in his brief screen career, now adds Van Johnson to the list of stars with whom he has performed. He an important role in the new Johnsop starring drama, “The Romance of Rosy Ridge.” . }■ Young Stock well is cast as Andrew Macßean in the Mackinlay Kantor story of life in Missouri at the close of the Civil War. It is he who befriends Van Johnson and champions him when everyone else in the community of Rosy Ridge is against him. , Marshall Thompson Marshall Thompson is a native of Peoria, 111., studied at Occidental College, and played his first screen role with Gloria Jean in “Reckless Age.” His work in “Blonde Fever” won him a long-term contract at M.G.M., and he has since proved his worth to that company with excellent portrayals in “Twice Blessed,” “The Clock,” “The Valley of _ Decision,” ‘Bad Bascomb,” “They Were Expendable,” “Gallant Bess,” “The Cockeyed Miracle,” “The Show-Off” and “The Secret Heart.” In “The Romance of Rosy Ridge”- he plays Van ' Johnson’s impressionable buddy. “Props” Poser Because the period covered in the Associated British picture “My Brother Johnathan” is from the beginning of the century to the present day, the “props” department has been faced with some knotty problems and has had a host of scouts rushing round, looking for such varied objects as a 1916 Vauxhall and fire engine, field postcard dated 1916 with recruiting posters for the 1914 war, cuttings from a 1900 paper showing Lord Roberts in khaki rnd Ranji at the wicket, a railway train and bicycle of 1912 and two bailiffs’ bowler hats of 1900 vintage! Starring in this British picture are handsome newcomer Michael Deni- | son with his wife, Dulcie Gray as i his leading lady, and Ronald Howard.