PERSONALITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1938, Page 4

PERSONALITIES

Paul Robeson. Paul Robeson, six feet in his stockings, weighs 13 stone . . . born at Princeton, New Jersey in 1898. He was educated at Columbia Law School and Rutger’s University ... at the law school he gained the honorary law degree LL.D. During school days he came to the fore as an excellent All-

American footballer, a sport he had always taken part in with enthusiasm. His first position, naturally, was with a law firm, but this did not last long . . . he gave it up and decided to follow a theatrical career . . . this ambition had lain in his mind since early childhood ... he realised the tremendous amount of work necessary and set about accordingly. His first good part was in Eugene O'Neil's "Emperor Jones” . . . this was made later as a film with Robeson in in the same role . . . about this time critics began to notice his amazing vocal ability, which was developing to its fullest grandeur , . . his concert tours started in 1925. From that year he has built up his career with perseverance and hard work and with the gift of a most glorious voice that has been more than an asset to him. . . Appearances in famous concert halls in London, Paris, Berlin. Vienna, followed in rapid succession ... a study of Russian made in England, which has definite attractions for him, followed . . . and then he concentrated once again on acting and musical plays . , . "All God’s Chillun Got Wings" . . . then films . . ."Sanders of the River,” "Show Boat,” "Song of Freedom,” "Big Fella,” and “King Solomon's Mines.” Bobby Breen. Bobby Breen was born in Montreal. Canada, on November 4., 1927. When he was two years old his family mov-

ed to Toronto. He first showed signs of unusual singing ability at the age of four when his sister. Sally, tool; him to Mme. De Monterey, with whom she was studying voice at the time. The vocal instructor became interested in Bobby and has greatly contributed toward developing his voice. In 1931 Bobby made his professional debut at the Silver Slipper Night Club in Toronto. He was an immediate sensation, and the- boy appeared at least one night each week, gaining radio experience broadcasting with the club's orchestra for the next two years. In April. 1935. Sally invested her lifetime savings in a trip to Hollywood and to the studio of Dr. Mario Marafioti, renowned voice coach of Grace Moore. Dr. Marafioti stated that Bobby possessed at his age a similar voice to that of Caruso at tne same age. But a more significant incident occurred at the vocal studio. Here So! Lesser, pioneer movie pro- I ciucer, heard Bobby sing a difficult 1 aria from "Rigoletto,” and immediate-

ly signed him to a long-term contract, under which Bobby’s first vehicle was "Let's Sing Again.” Bobby’s cinematic future under the guidance of Lesser looks unusually promising, for the producer has achieved exceptional success with child stars. He was greatly responsible for bringing Jackie Coogan and Baby Peggy to the forefront some years ago when he made a successful series of pictures with each of these juvenile players. Bobby Breen's second picture, "Rainbow on the River." was a terrific success and raised him to the top rank of film players. His current film is “Make a Wish.” which once again tops his previous performance. Irene Dunne. Irene Dunne was born in Kentucky U.S.A.. July. 14. She was educated in her home town and attended an exclusive finishing school, after which she studied voice at the Chicago College of Music. Going to New York, Miss Dunne made her debut in “The Beggar's Opera.” Later she sang in "Sweetheart Time," "Irene,” "The Clinging Vine” and eventually as Magnolia in Florence Ziegfeld's "Show Boat." In this she caught Hollywood's eye. She created a sensation as Sabra Cravat in "Cimarron." Now a star, she played important dramatic roles in "Consolation Marriage," "Symphony of Six Million,” "Back Street." "The Silver Cord,” "Ann Vickers," "Show Boat,” and "High Wide and Handsome.” "Theodora Goes Wild" established her as a front rank comedienne. Her latest screen comedy is "The Awful Truth.”