LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

Chronicle (Levin), 4 October 1947, Page 7

LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

M.

Murphy)

(SPECIAL — ' Fro.m Les.

Anne , Baxter has dropped 181b recently, and it is said she looks like a million dollars. Well done, Anne. Noel Coward, now in New York, is not sp'eaking to Mary Martin. The feud dates baek to the time she was in his play in London. Leo Genn, the British actor who is now established in Hollywood, will next appear opposite Olivia de Havilland in "The Snake Pit" for 20th Century-Fox. Margaret Lockwood, whose visit to America is now in doubt, is at present in Italy, regaining her health after a bout of tonsilitis. Clark Gable plays golf practically every day with Dolly O'Brien and Millicent Rogers. clark who is supposed to have both of these wealthy women in love with him, is sticking closer to his ranch than ever. Joan Crawford is reporied to be displaying a 45,000-dollar diamond and ruby ring. No, readers, you are mistaken, it was not from Don Barry. Joan bought it herself. Before Tyrone Power takes off from Hollywood 011 his European jaunt he and Lana Turner will go on a "joy" trip in a private yacht, which will head for Mexican I waters. Speculation is rife as to , whether this pair will surprise Hollywood by returning from Mexico wedded. Gene Kelly continues to be one of the busiest actors in Hollywood. The star has hardly finished work in his starring role opposite Judy Garland in "The Pirate," but preparations will start for "The Three Musketeers," a technicolour production in which Kelly will play the role of the dashing d'Artagnan. Keenan Wynn has been chosen to play Porthos. Production starts this month on "His Only Son," starring Jose Iturbi and Ricardo Montalban. The film tells the dramatic story of a world-famous pianist, whose fan- • atical interest in music threatens to ruin the happiness of his only son. A young British film star, 22-year-old Maureen Hurley, a newcomer to the screen, has gone one better than Hollywood stars who insure their legs, bosoms and faces. She has insured herself for £5000 against "loss of sex appeal." The puzzle that mu'st confront readers as well as myself is: What constitutes loss of sex appeal and who decides when Maureen has lost it? The team of Louis Haywerd, Edward Small and Columbia Pictures, which was so successful with the recent "The Return of Monte Cristo," will be together again in the production of a film to be based on Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Black Arrow." Louis Hayward has bpen siened for the leading role of Dick, swashbuckling hero of the story about "Wars of the Roses" in 15th century England. Mrs. Jack Benny's dress caught

fire at a large party the Bennys gave last week. With real presence of mind Barbara Stanwyck wrapped her dress about Mrs. Benny and smothered the flames, but not before Barbara burned her arms. She is now unable to carry out her M.-G.-M. contract for some time. Beautiful glamour girls are raining down on the R.K.O. lot like mana from heaven. The nevpest is Marilyn Maxwell, who gets the Lead/ opposite George Raft in "Race Street," with William Bendix also in the cast. Marilyn will be given the full glamour treatment since she probably will stay on as a contract player. Greer Garson and George Sanders are a brand newtwosome. They seem to enjoy their dining and dancing dates so mufeh that it looks like becoming a habit with them. No, readers, it is not romantic, yet,' but — . • • Greta Garbo has gone to the mountains for a rest. But not alone. She has a copy of a story by Salka Viertel with her. No doubt Garbo is still ideaing the thought of making a picture. Fans would certainly like to see her on the screen again. Another Joan Crawford? There is no secret about the fact that Ava Gardner is expected in Hollywood to develop into the same type of star as Joan Crawford was when she belonged to Leo the Lion — glamorous, colourful in private life and good publicity copy. Ava is getting no chance to cool off after "The Hucksters" for, because Bob Taylor is not ready to start "This is Love" with Ava, the I actress has been asked to go immediately into "Wanted" with Van Johnson. Five New Walt Disnev Films Walt Disney iias plans for releasing five full length coiour pictures between now and 1950. One of these films, "Fun and Fancy Free," will star Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd, Dinah — and all the Disney standbyes such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Jiminy Cricket, and a host of new animated characters. Disney has completed w'Ork on "Alice . in Wonderland," "vCinderella" and "So Dear to My Heart." These colour qartoons will be released in New Zealand in the near future.