BETTY FURNESS HAS AMBITION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 445, 29 May 1937, Page 3

BETTY FURNESS HAS AMBITION

She’s a girl with a mind of her own, is Betty Furhess, star of “They Wanted to Marry;’’ Radio’s new romantic comedy at the King’s. ■When she was still a youngster in primary school and in hair ribbons, Betty decided she wanted* to be an actress. Aoouf’SO jer cent of all such youngsters have- itoi’ar notions. The difference os that Betty stuck with her jmWlcu. Acting didn’t appeal to ‘he Furness fami'v as the ng’.t career foi their daughter. Of old Knickerbocker and Engl -a stock on be b sides, and tracing their descent through authentic Mayflower passengess and early New YorK settlers, the Furness, es planned a brilliant social future for Befty, and sent her to a very exclusive school —where she promptly fanned the flames of her dramatic aspirations by playing the lead in “Alifce in Wonderland'’ and other student shows.

I But she got her acting “break” in a unique way. The school’s gradual, i ing class visi'ted Hal Phyfe, noted society photographer, to have pictures taken for the year book. Phyfe attracted by Betty’s beauty, advised her to go into the commercial advertising field as a model, and also called! the attention of RKO Rodio officials to her possibilities. Betty was starting to make, a name for herself for a test The test was successful, and Petty started West to see her acting ambitions bear fruit at. last. That was four years ago, and the brown-haired New Yorker Has been busy l ever since in one | seveen role after another, her latest ' appearance being opposite Gordon Jones in “They Wanted to Marry’” The same determination that made her an actress is evident in many other ways. Having a figure that retains i'ts shapeliness without either, Betty Furness doesn’t go in for sports or any of the Hollywood food fads. She is a devotee of sun-bathing, and of sewing, and of bargain hunting.