European Star Makes Hollywood Debut

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 4

European Star Makes Hollywood Debut

It’§ a case of the third time being the charm. Undaunted by two setbacks in attempts to produce "Hotel Imperial,” Paramount chose the story for the Hollywood screen debut of Isa Miranda. The tribulations of the picture have made it one of Hollywood's most famous productions. The first attempt to produce the picture saw Marlene Dietrich in the leading role with Henry Hathaway directing. In a shift of executives at the studio, Ernst Lubitsch was taken from the production of “Hotel Imperial” for another assignment. Miss Dietrich’s contract provided that Lubitsch should produce her pictures and she refused to make the production. Paramount then assigned Margaret Sullavan to complete the film. .Miss Sullavan worked for two weeks and then broke a wrist in a fall. Isa Miranda is famous throughout Europe as an international star. She has made pictures in Italy, Germany, Austria and France. Several of her pictures have won international awards which are equivalent to Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award. Ray Milland has soared to stardom within the last three years at Paramount. Curiously, although the handsome young actor is an ex-member of the 'British Royal Household Cavalry and is one of the finest horsemen in Hollywood, he rides a horse for the first time in “Hotel Imperial."