LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

Chronicle (Levin), 24 August 1946, Page 6

LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

LES. M.

MURPHY).

GRACIE FIELDS TO WORK FOR WALT DISNEY

(SPECIAL — From

WELLINGTON, This Day.

A. J. Cummings, British newspaper editor and columnist, made a recent trip to Hollywood.^ He said he wanted to take back to' London a true conception of "the phenomenon of Hollywood." Is it possible? In the film version of "Life with Father" they have a wonder pup whose name is Orson Welles. And talking of Orson Welles, Rita Hayworth will file for divorce as soon as she finishes her current fihn "Down to Earth." Errol Flynn, who planned a yachting trip round the world, has changed his mind because tourist conditions are not enticing at the moment. It cost him 37,000 dollars for having the idea in the first place. Ann Miller is denying persistent columnist rumours that she is awaiting the arrival of an infant. Ann is more than busy with her role in "Thrill of Brazil." Betty Garret is writing Broadway history in "Call Me Mister." In private life, Betty is Mrs. Larry Parks. Ruth Hussey has temporarily retired from films and Broadway to await the birth of her second child. She is the wife of insurance man Robert Longdecker. Jane Withers and Charles Chaplin Junr., are frequently seen together in Hollywood restauranfcs and clubs. It is whispered that Jane has thrown over her usual escort, Farley Granger, for Chaplin. Recently Constance Bennett married her fifth husband, Colonel John Cotter. Looking at her plain gold wedding ring after the ceremony Connie remarked that "this will never come off. I know I am going to be happy this time." A new producing company has been formed in Hollywood named Enterprise Productions, which has signed Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Ginger Rogers, Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, and John Garfield for roles in forthcoming films. Co-star of Bessie Love, Pauline Frederick and Anna Q. Nillson (who has returned to the screen after 25 years retirement) , William S. Hart had an enormous 'Hollywood funeral. The famous old Western star put his age down at 73, but the records' . disclose it as 83.:,//'Bill" Hart was no fool about money. He is the only star in the screen's history who made 2,000,000 dollars in one year- — and that was real money in those days. He was always the actor, but he was a great character. No" "rone ever equalled.; his record for firing two six-shooters simultaneously. He could keep a tin can in the air while he emptied both barrels. "It's Great to be Young," musical showcase for a number of Columbia's promising young players, goes before the cameras under Del Lord's direction. The cast includes Leslie Brooks, Jimmy Lloyd, Bob Stanton, Jack Fina, Pat Yankee, Jack Williams and Milton de Lugg. Allen Roberts and Doris Fisher have written four new songs for the film. Nick Castle was signed to stage a special tap dance number for Ann Miller in "Thrill of Brazil," lavish musical in which Evelyn Keyes, Keenan Wynn and Ann Miller will star. The title of this film was formerly "Rendezvous in Rio." Castle recently completed the choreography for "Earl Carroll's Vanities." Remember when Jimmy Cagney smashed a grapefruit into Mae Clark's face? And Charlie Chaplin thought nothing about planting a kick on his leading lady's " bustle? Just now, manhandling is out, and womanhandling is definitely the season's preference. Rita Hayworth gets even with Glenn Ford in "Gilda" by caressing his face

rather . vigorously with the palm of her hand, and now she's "following it up with similar treatment of Larry Parks, leading man in "Down to Earth." Esther Williams is to a bathing suit what Rita HayWorth is to that black gowh she w^axs 'in' "Gilda." Not since the "days of Anhette Kellerman has a bathing suit' done so much for a giri; and vice versa. Rowever, in her next picture, "Fiesta," Miss Williams plays the role of a female bullfighter and doesn't wear a bathing suit at all. Spring is the season for rejoicing, but not for Larry Parks. Larry gets exercise on Sundays by hiking through Laurel Canyon, which is near his home in Hollywood. Last week-end, Larry contracted a case of poison oak, and his back is ablaze with the rash, causing a halt in production of the current film "The Jolson ' Story" at Columbia. Hereafter Larry Vows he will get his exercise within the confines of his owh home. The much coveted title "The Man of the Year" has just been bestowed upon handsome Glenn Ford by the Bobby-Soxers of America, a nation-wide organisation of teenagers. Glenn, whose performance in "Gilda" woh him the lead in "Gallant Journey," now in production, is the third male so honoured; Frank jSinatra and Van Johnson have each won the title in 1945 and 1946 respectively.