HOPES FOR 1940

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 March 1940, Page 9

HOPES FOR 1940

WHAT THE STARS WANT. What do the stars really want for 1S40? You don’t always find out by asking them, and certainly not from their press agents. You find out by nibbing shoulders with the stars, talking to them in unguarded moments, listening to their complaints and their longings, writes a Hollywood correspondent. Two years ago, and even one year ago, William Powell's New Year's wish would have been good health. He has that now to a certain extent. Now he'd like a good screen role—something better than his part in “Another Thin Man"—a picture not exactly worthy of the names or studio connected with it.

It is not hard to guess Vivien (Scarlett O’Hara) Leigh’s wish for the New Year. She wants to marry Laurence Olivier, and he wants to marry her. This has been their loudly voiced desire since they came to Hollywood a year ago. But they are both legally tied to others —and must wait for the divorces they clamour for.

Guess what the Clark Gables want most in 1940. The one thing they haven’t got: They have fame, money —and each other. But neither of them. Carole with two marriages and Clark with three, has a child. Yes. they would welcome a visit from the stork in 1940.

Talking about babies. I know that Bing Crosby would give everything—except his four sons—to have a female infant the next time, to which rumour has given a 1940 label. Mickey' Rooney’s wish for the New Year —some extra inches of height. . . . Hedy Lamarr’s for people to stop raving about her beauty and to talk about her acting ability (you'll have to be very good at acting, Hedy, before it equals your face) Deanna Durbin wants privacy for her non-profes-sional life. (But that is what you sacrifice for a place in the sun). Wants a Husband. Rosalind Russell's wish —to find a busband —but he must have a sense of humour. . . . Ditto Bette Davis—but,

in addition to humour, the Davis mate must be an established "someone." or aii embryo "big shot.” A year ago Norma Shearer would have asked the fates .for another Irving Thalberg. Now she knows it isn't possible. Norma's biggest "want" for 1940 is a screen role for the calibre of her Elizabeth Barrett in "The Barretts of Wimpole Street” —her last truly great picture. Wallace Beery is sure of getting his 1940 desire —he wants to adopt two more children to join his family of two daughters. . . . Hard to know what Joan Crawford wants for the New Year. I'd say it was the same as lor the past five years—tranquility within herself. Robert Montgomery's is easy—he wants more pictures like "Earl of Chicago" and "Night Must Fall." Bob. incidentally, gives the best portrayal c" his career as the gangster-earl. Greene's Bad Luck. Don Ameche will settle for a good digestive tract. . . . Richard Greene will be glad if accidents and operations stay away from his 1940 door. Tyrone Power, who surprised with his rating of second at the box office, will i>e very happy in 1940 if boss Zinuck gives him pictures that emphasise his acting the is a good actol'> as well as his dark good looks, Cary Grant's wish for 1940 is that he will avoid matrimony. It will have to be a very clever girl to change Cary’s mind. Olivia De Havilland wants another Melanie role. George Raft wants a divorce in 1940 -but the wife, from whom he has been separated for many years, has a counter 1940 wish—no divorce.