THE SCREEN WELCOMES TALLULAH BANKHEAD

Rotorua Morning Post, 29 August 1931, Page 5

THE SCREEN WELCOMES TALLULAH BANKHEAD

A NEW PERSONALITY ' (Written exclusively for "The Post" by Reg Kelly.) The truly great stars of the show world are originals. Like 710 others, and when Paramount releases "Tarnished Lady," the screen will instantly know that it has been enriched by a hrilliant personality. . . . Tallulah Bankhead. A star destined to stand with filmdom's elite. Because she is a vital, splendid actress; because she is supremely attractive in a startling new way; but, even more important, because she is theglorious fulfillment in appearance and action of all that modern women hope to, be. Tallulah Bankhead will quickly become a new motion picture idol.

There is a new type of woman at large in this modern, exciting world of ours. Whether loved or censured, greeted with cheers or gasps, she is the most interesting person alive! She dresses and talks smartly; she faces life and love eagerly and unafraid; she kisses and never tellsj endures heartbreak and never weeps; she regards men as neither natural friends nor enemies, neither protectors nor tempters, but fellow humans to he laughed with, f ought with, play- ! ed with, and, if necessary, forgotten.

She can marry and be a good wife, but marriage is not the be-all and end-all to her. She is, above everything, herself. The breath-taking, flaming symhol of these millions of modern women is Tallulah Bankhead. Australian theatre-gaers will welcome this newcomer who indeed brings a new thrill to the talking

screen. She is American born, but for the past eight years has been the darling of the London stage which has given her a voice that is a comhination of America's southern pleasing tone, and Oxford's broadest ac1 cent. You will like Tallulah's voice 1 when it comes to you from the screen. It is a voice that thrills. Somewhat reminiscent of the late Jeanne Eagels, whose brief screen career was terminated by her unfortunate death. The whole make-up of Tallulah, too, resembles Jeanne Eagels, just as prominent as the likeness between Garbo and Dietrich.

An uncommon name, this Tallulah, you'll say. It's Indian . . . and following the Redman's trail, it led her to the wigwam of Gotham's wits, Greenwich Village. This was when she was seventeen, and she took a fling at a Bohemian playhouse. For three years she battled Broadway for fame. In those days the "Village" WAS Bohemian. And it was "la vie Boheme" that Tallulah lived, quite literally in a garrett. There was fun, sure. But also there were arguments with the landlady, and similarly distressing moments. For a youngster she progressed in her profession. She followed Constance Binney in "39 East." She I played in "Nice People," "The Ex- j citers" and a half-dozen others. It was only a question of time when Broadway would crown her with its diadem of stardom. But Tallulah, like time and tide, waits for no man, so she went to England. America saw no more of her for eight years. But it heard plenty. For before she had learned ' to say "cheerio," she was the toast of London from 'Amstead. 'Eath to Piccadilly. i Not for a generation has it bowed in adoration at such a lovely shrine as London worshipped. From the Berts and 'Arrietts of Limehouse to the monocled Johnnies and lorgnetted ladies of Mayfair, the tovm on the Thames took Tallulah for its own. She starred in Katherine Cornell's "The Green Hat"; in Pauline Lord's "They Knew What They Wanted"; in "The Gold Diggers" of Ina Claire; in the tragic Eagels' "The Cardboard Lover," and in Francine Larrimore's "Let Us Be Gay." She even played "Camille" as Duse Bernhardt and all that mighty galaxy had done before het. Opportunity, with a capital 0, for the prodigal daughter of the Algonquin! And the girl made good! Oddly enough, these vehicles have

heen converted into celluloid, and now that Tallulah is Paramount's gift to film fans, it is interesting to remember that she has played the roles enacted on the screen hy Garho, Marion Davies, Vilma Banky, and Norma Shearer. And here's a tip to you — Tallulah's a threat to Greta, a menace to Marlene! Perhaps it's searcely fair to burden her with comparisons. Better say that we'll be needing a nice new niche in our hearts for our Tallulah just as soon as her first Paramount talkie, "Tarnished Lady" is released. Her outward pose is that of ultrasophistication. But she showers affection on a pup, and says, "Ah" when she sees a baby. Just a sentimentalist at heart. She gives herself a present before each premiere. Sometimes an ermine wrap. Again a jewel, "If the play's.a flop, it will console me," she says, "and if it's a success — then I have celebrated."

Tallulah is a realist. She knows the facts of life. She neither shuns them, nor ignores them, hut accepts things as they are. With no particular enthusiasm, hut without complaint. She screens divinely, with a sort of sombre, fascinating beauty that reach es way inside to disturb your heart and soul. She has the largest, most depthful eyes, and the longest lashes in memory. And uses both with devastating effect. Her hieight is medium, but she creates an illusion of added stature. Her hands are interesting, and wellkept. At present she affects the bighly polished, ruby-red hrilliance sponsored by the manicures. Her hair, praise he, is natural — a relief from the platinum blondes, silver blondes, radium blondes, and peroxide blondes. It's smolcy brown and she wears it smartly coiffed. She could have heen in the movies eight years ago, and, in fact, did make one picture. Other films didn't interest her until sound came in, and she declined all offers. W'hen the talkies ehanged her attitude toward tbe cinema, she determined that Paramount was the company with. which she wished to he aflfiliated. She "adores" Greta Garho. .. Paramount is releasing "Tarnished I Lady" . . . her first picture. In it slie has tbe excellent support of the polished Englishman, Clive Brook, J What an ideally suited pair they are, ; and how they will delight theatre- ! goers. Clive Brook, you alreadj | know and appreciate, so prepare foi I a new favourite in Tallulah. i . _