BIOGRAPHY OF STARS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 November 1946, Page 6

BIOGRAPHY OF STARS

RON RANDELL IN LIMELIGHT The quest for the ideal Australian to play the part of "Smithy" went on for months until Mr. N. P. Pery, the producer, saw R011 Randell playing at the Minerva Theatre, Sydney, in "While the Sun Shines." He was immediately impressed, for, Randell had the qualities of a rugged Australian, agile, alert, adventurous, a man among men, with, at the same time, an eye for 1 the fair sex. | Born of Australian parents at Santa Ana, California, (U.S.A.) on October 17, 1918, Randell went to Australia with his people at the age of 10. He received his early education in Sydney, where he achieved a name as a champion swimmer and runner. He became an actor by accident, I appearing in a radio show at 14, when a woman talent scout offered him a oart. His first stage appearances 'were at Sydney's Minerva Theatre in "Quiet Wedding," "Love on the Dole," "Mr. Smart Guy" and "Of Mice and Men." ' After being discharged from the Australian Army he revisited the United States. In San Francisco he played the role of Mr. North opposite Nancy Carroll in "Mr. and Mrs. North," oue of America's most popular programmes. He fulfilled many radio engagements, including several plays by Norman Corwin. He collaborated on a Hollywood script entitled "Know Your Ally— Australia," and represented Australia at the National Theatre Convention. As a result of his outstanding peri'ormance as "Smithy," Ron Randell has been signed up by Columbia for a six-year contract in Hollywood. Critical acclaim won by Steven Geray for his performancc in "Gilda" resulted in his being signed to a long-term contract by Columoia Pictures. Since "Gilda" Geray has completed anothcr picture, "So Dark the Night," in which he has the male lead. Walt Disncy and his wife leave Hollywood this month for Ireland to do rcscarch on lcprcchauns, states the latest mail from Filmland. Leprcchauns (Irish spritcs to you) will be the characters of Walt's ncxt big cartoon, "The Little People," a feature cartoon, will bring Disncy back to thc complctcly fairy tale mood of "Snow White" and "Bambi." Hc has no intention of using flesh-and-blood figurcs in the ncw movie.