LATEST DOINGS FROH THE STUDIOS

Chronicle (Levin), 11 January 1947, Page 6

LATEST DOINGS FROH THE STUDIOS

M.

Murphy)

(SPECIAL — From Les.

Raymond Massey, at the completion of his Warner Bros picture "Posses'sed," , will go to England to do a picture for the. Rank organisation. \ - Vivacious blonde Marilyn Maxwell has been added to the cast of "High Barbaree," opposite Van Johnson. She will play the "other woman" to June Allyson. Another addition to the cast is Thomas Mitchell, who portrays Van's seafaring uncle. Olivia de Havilland does not aspire to be another Sonja Henie but she has gone in enthusiasticallv for ice skating. She is now taking daily lessons at the Westwood outdoor rinks and cutting a few ungraceful curves. Walter Wanger is in earnest about his promise to give Susan Hayward a build-up under his aus^pices. He has written every important nublishing house in New York to be on the special lookout for stories suitable. for the redheaded actress. . So many people were tested for "Life With F.%ther" — Bette Davis, Mary Pickford, Dorothy Stickney and Irene Bunne for' mother, and Ronald. Colman, William Powell and Frederick March among the fathers — that someone had the right idea of making a shot of all the tests. Margaret O'Brien, Dean Stockwell and Claude Jarman, Jun., will be the stars of "The Secret Garden," a story of three children by Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of that old favourite "Little Lord Fauntlefoy." Dean is the little boy who charmed all who saw "Anchors Aweigh" and "The Green Years." Claude's debut film, "The Yearling," awaits American release. British actress Patricia Medina, wife of actor Richard Greene, has signed a long-term contract with M-G-M. She will make her American debut in "The Secret Heart," which will star Walter Pidgeon and Claudette Colbert. Greer Garson's mother, Mrs. Nina Ross, is considering a screcn career for herself. After playing a bit part in the Katharine HeppurnRobert Taylor starrer, "Undercurrent," she has just been cast for a role in "Lady in the Lake," a mystery thriller in which Robert Montgomery stars and also directs. Barry Nelson is back at the M-G-M studios after discharge from the U.S. Army Air Force. He has been assigned an important role in the atonx bomb film, "The Beginning or the End," and joins a cast which is headed by Brian Donlevy, Robert Walker and Tom Drake. Cyd Charisse has been announced for an important role in "Unfinished Dance" — fonnerly titled "Ballerina." She will co-star with Margaret O'Brien, who is now taking ballet lessons for her role in the film. Another addition to the cast is the beautiful auburn-haired Katherine Booth, who will make her debut as a dramatic actress in this film. Jeanne Crain, Dorothy McGuire, Eleanor Parker and Nora Eddington Flynn announce that they are expecting babies early this year. The most joyful is perhaps Dorothy McGuire (Mrs. John Swope since July, 1943). Dorothy lost an expected child earlv last year, and feared she might never have another. Jean Crain, who married Paul Brinkman last January, is a top star of Fox musieals, and the studio is.already worrying how tc replace her. After divorcing Fred Losee, Eleanor Parker, Warner Bros.' new dramatic star, married Chicago businessman Bert Friedloi, last January. Errol Flynn is ii5 Tahiti, but will fly home in February, in time to greet his new baby, which both parents hope will be a boy.