BIOGRAPHY OF STARS

Chronicle (Levin), 20 July 1946, Page 6

BIOGRAPHY OF STARS

WILLIAM HOLDEN'S RAPID PROGRESS Even the false grey whiskers and the grease paint of a character role in an amateur production at the Pasadena Community Playhouse couldn't hide the romantic screen potentialities of handsome young William Holden, whose film contract is currently shared by Columbia and Paramount. So, through the penetrating eyes of a studio talent scout, began a rise to the heights of film fame the speed of which made even blase Hollywood open its eyes.

Immediately piacea unaer contract (the year was 1939) Holden scarcely drew a breath before he was cast by director Rouben Mamoulian in the much sought after and sensational title role of "Golden Boy" at Columbia Pictures. This was quickly followed by an important part with George iRaft in "Invisible Stripes" at j Warner Bros. His fine work lattracted director Sam Wood, and Holden was given the romantic lead in, "Our Town." This led to produeer-director Wesley Ruggles choosing for him the important role of Jean Arthur's romantic interest in "Arizona." Then, without a week's respite from the camera since his. debut, Holden was cast as one of the three male leads in Paramount's "I Wanted Wings." The principal male part in "Texas" for Columbia followed, then came "The Fleet's In" for Paramount, after which Bill retufned to Columbia for "Meet the Stewarts" and went to United Artists for "Young and j Willing." On April 17, 1942, Holden enlisted in the Army, but was later transferred to the Air Force. . He received his honourable discharge on November 7, 1945. Itching to get back in front of the camera, he said, "All I want to Ido is work. I've returned with more ambition than ever."

Born April 17, 1918, m OT'aiien, Illinois, the young actor was : christened William Beedle by his | parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Beedle. Later they moved to South Pasadena and Bill was in his second year'at junior cofiege there when he was signed for motion pictures. While attending high school he , participated in radio plays which eventually led him to Hollywood. - Holden studied voice culture while at school. Additional training for his fine bass speaking voice 'was the singing he did in two church* choirs. Holden is six feet tall, weighs 165 pounds, has blue eyes and brown hair. On .July 13, 1941, he : miarried film player Brenda Marshall at Las Vegas, Nevada. They have a son, Peter Westfield, born November 19, 1943. Brenda has a daughter Virginia, aged 8, by a previous marriage. His picture credits are: "Golden Boy," "Invisible Stripes," "Our Town," "Arizona," "I Wanted Wings," "Texas," "the Fleet's' Ih,"""Tlie Rerriarkable l Andrew," "Meet the Stewarts" and "Young and Willing."