TALENT FIRST ESSENTIAL FOR SCREEN FAME

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 31, 20 February 1937, Page 18

TALENT FIRST ESSENTIAL FOR SCREEN FAME

Becent editione of the Los Angeles newspapers carried an unique advertisement. They carried the picture of a young man, gave his name and read: "Lookl Hoping to reach famel To the directors and movie stars of Hollywood. Many San Franciscans say that I resemble George Eaft. The majority of people think I am the image of George Brent. I am a baritone singer —have a marvellous radio voice— am 22, and 5 feet 8 inches tall." That wals the first time any hopeful had used a method so simple, direct and obviously naive. But s'till the chance of that young man getting the opportunity he so ardently desires is aa remote as if he were a 90-year-old Eskimo living at Point Barrow, Alaska. In fact, the chance for the Eskimo would be brighter. Some film company might sent a nnit up there and the frost-bitten ancient would likely be hired for colour. That San Francisco lad, providing ht has the talent along with his resera* blances, will come to the attention of Hollywood in some other way, not through an advertisement, and he won 't win his chance because he Jooks like someone already established on the screen. That fact alone is against himi The studios have their own way of seeking ont talent. Take Paramount for instance: First of all they have scouts who catch all new pietures dur-1 ing theiT preview stages, that is, before they get into general releaise. Occasionally, but not often, the work oi some ' ' extra " or " bit ' ' player will hint of talent that might be developea and they'il try to put that player under a test option for trial and training before some other studio gets similai! ideas. Gary Cooper was oyne such' case. He was spotted in "The "Win* ning. of Barbara. Worth" and signed before the .producer oT that picture, Sam Goldwyn, had a chance to isee it in detail. Paramount 's ecouts in New! York and in Los Angeles, also, watch' the stage clos'eiy. That is one of ~ the chief sources of new talent. Eeep in mind that a director first spotted Marlena Dietrich on a Berlin stage, Fredrie March .was signed when he came to Los Angeles m a stage show and Fred MacMurray wcj taken right 'ont of the cast of the stage' musical "Eoberta" when Oscar Berlin, Paramount 's New York scout, canght the show on Broadway. • - - • These1 scouts watch the floor shows of supper clubs, the prayers in aom1 teur theatres, and listen constantly to the radio. Don't forget that Bing Crosby's voice won him screen stardom'and Frances Langford got to Hollywood via a microphone. Fred Datig, casting director at the Paramount istudios gives this advice to screen hopefuls: ' ' Call Hollywood 'a attention to. you through your work and don't attempt to do it through advertisements, trickery or deceit; All have heard of the girl who adopted a Eussian name and accent, and the one who picketed the doorway of a famous male star. It can't he done— you muat have genuine talent and you must earn your way." Fred always gives splendid advice but we are quite certai a that there will he just as much conniving 'and fancy stunts tried to achieve screen fame as before. Maybe some day it will work — who knowsi