PERSONALITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1938, Page 10

PERSONALITIES

BILLIE BURKE—Star of the Broadway stage, widow of Florenz Ziegfeld, Billie Burke today is settled in Hollywood. She has just sold the famous Ziegfeld estate, Burkley Crest, at Hast-ings-on-Hudson, indicating her intention to remain on the west coast. She was born in Washington, D.C., August 7th, the daughter of a famous circus clown. She was christened Ethelbert, but her father's name. BilDe, has clung to her. She was educated in England where she made her stage debut. Back in New York she became a star and then met Ziegfeld, "resulting in one of Broadway’s most sincere and lasting •romances. Her daughter, Patricia, is a writer in Hollywood.

JOAN FONTAINE—BIonde newcomer to the screen, was born in Tokio, Japan, on October 22, 1917. She was brought to San Francisco when two years old and then back to Tokio, where the American School of Tokio was her finishing school, and it was there that she acquired her great interest in Japanese culture. She expressed many of her ideas in 'water colours and drawings and intended making art -her career. Under her mother’s teaching, Joan became interested in the theatre and did many Shakespearean roles. She moved to America and Henry Duffy, noted producer, asked Joan to try for a part in his production, “Call it a Day.” She had been on the stage no more than a fortnight when she was seen by Jesse Lasky, RKO producer, and given a screen contract. Less than a week later she made her screen debut in a small role in “Quality Street.” She

was then given the femininq lead in “The Man Who Found Himself,” playing opposite John Beal. This was followed by a still better role in the RKO Radial picture, “You Can’t Beat Love,” playing the lead opposite Preston Foster.' Such confidence did the studio have in Joan, that they gave her the coveted role opposite Nino Martini in his first picture for RKO Radio, “Music for Madame,” in which she scored a great hit. She had her most important and biggest role to date in her latest picture for RKO, playing the feminine. lead opposite Fred Astaire in “A Damsel in Distress.”

FLORENCE RlCE—Although she has been in Hollywood only three years, Florence Rice is virtually certain of stardom. The beautiful daughter of Grantland Rice, noted sports commentator, who had the feminine lead in “Navy Blue and Gold,” was born in Cleveland. She was educated in New York and at the exclusive Dwight School for Girls at Englewood, N.J. Later she studied in Europe. As a child Miss Rice was interested in the theatre. In 1934 she went to Hollywood and appeared in “Fugitive Lady.” She is unmarried and laughingly remarks that there is no immediate indication of any change ip her status.

GEORGE MURPHY—was born in New Haven, Conn., on the 4th of July. He is the son of the late Mike Murphy, famous athletic trainer who was in charge of six of America’s Olympic teams. Murphy was educated at the Newton School in Philadelphia; at Pawling Institute in New York; and at Yale University. In school he was a football, baseball, basketball, track and swimming star. His stage experience included leads in “Good News,” “Hold Everything,” “Shoot the Works,” “Of Thee I Sing,” “Roberta,” and “Anything Goes.” He has appeared in the following pictures: “Kid Millions,” "Jealousy,” “I Will Love You Always,” “After the Dance,” “Public Menace,” “Woman Trap” and “Top of the Town.”

PAUL MUNI —was born Muni Weisenfreund in Vienna on September 22, 1897, making him an Austrian, but his family went to the United States when he was very young. Since his early childhood, his ambition was to be a great figure on the stage. His first role—when he was about thirteen—was that of an old man. The stage play, “We Americans,” brought him his first recognition in the New York theatre. His present ambition is to be allowed to continue his career along the lines he has laid out for himself. Never to be “typed” to one kind of role. Music is his great interest outside of the theatre. Has studied it since he was four years old and loves it. He is an exceedingly fine violinist and could undoubtedly make a success on the concert stage should he ever give up acting —which he emphatically will not. Also might like to manage prize fighters. Does a lot of reading and prefers the classic authors

to the moderns. Names as his favourite authors, Gorky, Shakespeare and Tolstoy. Is very much in favour of domesticity and is happily married. Enjoys making excursions to out of the way places with his wife. Especially inns throughout New England, taking his violin, to rest and relax.

BUDDY EBSEN—was born in Orlando, Fla., on April 2nd. He attended the University of Florida and Rawlins College, where he took a pre-medical course. The depression caused Ebsen

to give up college and go to New York in search of a job. He finally obtained a “position” working as a soda jerker at the Pennsylvania Station. Finally he succeeded in getting a job as a chorus boy in Ziegfeld’s “Whoopee.” Vilma, his sister, and he worked as a team in night clubs in America to test them. They were working in the Central Park Casino as a featured act when M-G-M decided to test them. They appeared as a team in “Broadway Melody of 1936,” then Vilma returned to New York and Buddy remained in Hollywood. Buddy subsequently scored in “Captain January,” “Banjo on My Knee” and “Born to Dance.”