HOLLYWOOD’S DOORS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1939, Page 5

HOLLYWOOD’S DOORS

HOW THEY ARE OPENED. Although it is extremely hard to break into the film world and Hollywood’s doors are not easily opened, there are numerous ways in which this screen citadel can be stormed. The majority of them require a certain amount of good luck, while other entries are obtained by family connections, facial resemblances, and success in broadcasting or stage work. Perhaps the most unusual introduction to a film career was staged by David Niven, who, following a party in a British battleship at Santa Barbara, was taken ashore in a film company launch —and favourably impressed the producer. Another method which has proved successful in the case of Wendy Barrie, Maureen O’Sullivan and Sally Eilers, is to attract attention when dining out. These three were discovered at cafe tables in London, Dublin, and Hollywood respectively. Influential Fathers. Family acting traditions have helped Joan and Constance Bennett, Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks Junr., and Ida Lupine, all of whom have adopted the surnames made famous by their fathers. Another suggestion, which may be a little difficult for most people, is to be a quintuplet or head for Los Angeles in an aeroplane and land in Ireland, Of course, the family Dionne and Mr Corrigan are rather lucky in this respect. Film players whose facial specialities have helped their screen careers are Jimmy (“Schnozzle”) Durante, Simone (pouty) Simone, Ned ("dead pan”) Sparks, Joe E. (large mouth) Brown, and Guy (bald) Kibbee. Beauty Contests. Winning a beauty contest sometimes opens the Hollywood studios’ doors, and Gail Patrick, Ann Sheridan, and Marjorie Weaves still find them open. Photographers' models who have made good include Norma Shearer, Jean Arthur, Kay Francis and Alan Curtis, Even Garbo was modelling hats in Sweden before she became a Hollywood institution. Singing with a well-known orchestra has helped Alice Faye, Dorothy Lamour, Harriet Hilliard, Priscilla Lane and Leah Ray to land screen contracts, while Joan Crawford caught the eye of the talent scout when she was in the front row of the chorus. If you make a hit in-a night club you may attract the producers’ attention. Consider the Ritz Brothers, Martha Raye, Margo, Ella Logan, Ann Miller, Beverly Roberts and Doris Weston. Cesar Romero got his chance after' he had been spotted doing a tango in a night club. Successful appearances in Little Theatre productions near Hollywood were responsible for the film breaks of Robert Young, Gloria Stuart, James Ellison, and Jane Bryan. Radio singers whose faces were photogenic include Bing Crosby, Don Ameche, Gene Autry, Jack Benny and Joe Penner. Wayne Morris got his chance by

looking like the drawings of the hero in a magazine story which was about to be made into the film, “Gid Galahad.”