LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

Chronicle (Levin), 17 January 1948, Page 6

LATEST DOINGS FROM THE STUDIOS

Les. M.

Murphy)

(SPECIAL — From

Two of America's best' swimmers. Buster Crabbe and: Jon Hall, stage a terrific underwater battle f or "The Last of . the Redmen," an adventure story in colour released by Columbia. Crabbe is a former Olympic swimming champion while Hall acquired his aquatic prowess in Tahiti, where he spent his boyhood. Sonja Henie, who has been away from fllms sinee 1944, and Susanna Foster, who has been studying singing in New York and Europe sinee 1945, will make a : fllm comeback together in "The Countess of Monte Cristo." Many of Hollywood's stars spent Christmas at Honolulu, while others went "dowh on the farm." Throughout the festive season all the studios were -deserted, say with the exception of a few essential workers. c, Rita Hayworth has shared equal honours with Franklin D. Roosevelt as being the only two personalities to star on Life's cover four times. "Life" has deseribed Rita as being the embo'diment of America's most prevalent national myth, the goddess of love. Ron Randall, Australian star who was originally brought to Hollywood to-play the title role in the "Bulldog Drummond" series, is rapidly finding himself one of the busiest players on the lot. Appearing currently as Ginger Rogers' fiance in "It Had to be You," and the young doctor in "The Sign of the Ram" Randall was assigned to a *third top part . when he was named as the third man in Evelyn Keyes' life in "The Mating of Millie." Anita Castle, * eight-year-old singer, gets the only feminine role in "West of Sonora," co-starring Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette — and you can bet she's the central story chara-cter, too. Gossips are speculating in Hollywood over the romance between Joan 'Crawford and Los Angeles lawyer Greg Bautzer. Their close company of late give every indication' that their friendship is more than platonic. The postman would have to ring more than twice in this case. The following lette'r, addresse-d to "Alexander Dumas, c/o Columbia Pictures," and written by a fan in Chiswick, England, was recently received at the Columbia head office, London. "Dear Mr. Dumas, I have just seen 'The Return of Monte Cristo,' and I would like to eon» gratulate you on a wonderful

story. I have read most of your books and would be very grateful if you send me an autographed photo of yourself." As lovers of Dumas' books know, he died in 1860. Rita Hayworth's famous red hair will be seen in the forthcoming "The Loves of Carmen" in technieolour. Miss Hayworth's exoticlong' red tresses were bleached to a blonde for her co-starring role with Orson Welles in "The Lady from Shanghai." Hairdress.experts for her current s'tarring role, tested her for various shades — from light red to shining black : . . and decided to leave it "as it is." Glancing at the daily newspapers one is led to believe that the smartest women are all wearing the longer skirt length, but roam- ' ing through the Hollywood lots one is struck by the fact> th^t the stars (among whom are some of the best-dressed women in the world) are not favouring the very long skirt length. Most welldressed stars are compromising by wearing dresses mid-calf. Ihe longer coats are in the minority.. .Short leopard-skins still hold their own as one of the favourites for both casual ahd formal wear. Hollywood's top glamour girl Rita Hayworth, has added two or three new length f rocks to her very simple personal wardrobe, but even these reach no lower than midcalf. Rita says, "I have no reason fco be ashamed of my legs so why

,'should I cover them with ugb s long skirts?" From this recen • survey of fashions, it is safe t( . surmise that Hollywood stars wil be loathe to surrender the freedon or the smartness ;of the mediun length frock for the ankle-lengtl hobble -skirts. ... •