ACTOR’S FILM TEST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21188, 10 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

ACTOR’S FILM TEST

“STOLEN” BY GINGER ROGERS DANCER IN AUSTRALIA Hal Thompson, young American actor and dance star, has just arrived in Sydney after a successful season in London. He partnered Jessie Matthews in the revue, “Come Out to Play,” and, during its three-months’ run at the Phoenix, became very popular with London audiences. Hal has some good stories to tell about stage and screen life. Perhaps his best yarn is that which describes his first screen test. He thought his big chance had come. He wanted a girl partner to go along and help him with his dance turn, so he invited a red-haired lass whom he had known in his danceschool days. She was delighted. The test was

taken. Later Hal asked the studio chiefs what they thought of it. “The Girl’s Marvellous” They were enthusiastic. “Why, the girl’s marvellous!” they said. “But what about me?” Hal asked. “I thought it was my test.” They didn’t seem very interested. You see, the girl was Ginger Rogers! Since then Hal has appeared in many stage productions, and danced with Ruby Keeler as well as Ginger. 1 One of his earliest ambitions was j fulfilled when he starred with Jessie ! Matthews in the London show. I He had seen her in one of her I pictures in America and made up | his mind he would dance with her

one day.