NEWS OF THE CINEMA

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20989, 16 December 1939, Page 15 (Supplement)

NEWS OF THE CINEMA

Nelson Eddy as “Vagabond King” The annual rumour of the breakup of the Jeanette MacDonaldNelson Eddy team is going the rounds again. Reason is that Ilona Massey, Mr Eddy’s co-star in “Balalaika,” is to be with him again in “The Vagabond King.” Deanna’s Songs Deanna Durbin has finished the final recordings for her latest picture, “First Dove.” The songs are: “Spring in my Heart,” “Home, Sweet Home,” “Amapola,” and “One Fine Day,” from “Madame Butterfly.” The latter was sung by Jeanette MacDonald in “Broadway Serenade.” New Zealand Boy in Hollywood Ronald Sinclair (the New Zealand boy, Ra Hould) and Edith Fellowes are making personal appearances in Los Angeles theatres during the showing of the picture of “Five Little Peppers,” in which they played leading roles. Ronald has a full schedule before him in the Californian winter. His best part probably will be in “The Earl of Chicago,” in which he will play the title role. Colin Tapley, another New Zealander, has taken advantage of the unusual heat wave this autumn; he spends most of his spare time sailing. America’s Most Intelligent Mother Mrs Cora Lane, mother of the Lane Sisters, has been elected “America’s ! Most Intelligent Mother” by the American Women’s Congress. At the same time, Rosemary Lane was chosen to represent the “Symbol of Tolerance” at the national Ceremonies of the Council Against Intolerance. Charles Laughton Loses Flesh The strenuous action and grotesque make-up necessitated by the title role in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” are already taking their toil in pounds of flesh off Charles Laughton.

Working on location in the San Fernando valley in temperatures as high as 105, Laughton dropped a pound a day during the first nine days, and this despite the fact that the studio permitted him to work only five hours a day and those from midnight onwards.

Fearing that the loss of weight might damage his health, the director ordered for Laughton as a dressing-room a special air-condi-tioned trailer equipped with shower baths.