Swanson - Marshall Affair Goes On

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 19, 23 November 1934, Page 17

Swanson - Marshall Affair Goes On

Gloria Swanson’s Fifth Husband to be English Actor, Herbert Marshall — Rumours Confirmed — Jean Harlow Shows Methods of Hooking Millionaires in New Talkie.

ESCRIBWD, despite her years, us the most fascinating woman in all Hollywood, the already .much-married Gloria Swanson is to take her fifth husband. American and British fiim _ fireles were surprised when it was abrecently that Herbert ‘Mar shall and Edna Best, whose marriage ‘has stood like a rock for years whuic others crashed about them, were to be divorced, the woman in the case being none otner than the beautiful Gloria, According to Edna Best, when ‘she arrived in Hollywood from Envy ‘land some weeks ago with her young son, she was met by her husband, whe told her frankly that he was in love with Miss Swanson. "She fascinates me. I can’t help it." Marshall deciared, according to his wife. "Try and stick. by me, dear, fox .a while. I don’t know what is going to happen." Miss Best stuck by, butstill according to: her own story-Mar shall came to her again, and told bez finally that she would have to divorce him,,as Miss Swanson had agreed to his proposal ef marriage. "TI couldn't stand in. his way,", Bdaa Best is reported to have said. later. "and. so I let him go. { still love him dearly, but what is the use? He is not mine’ any .onger." Mrs. Marshall is obtaining her divorce in England, whule Gloria Swanson will be separate. from Michaei Farmer. in America.’ ‘"Hollywood’s fascinating star has a remarkable oistory. Her first marriags fook.-place in the old Mack Sennett days, when ‘she walked up to the alta: with that great actor, Mr. Wallace Beery. Not Iong.afterwards she matie her bow to the divorce courts. She then- married Herbert Somborn, wa? held his beautiful wife’s affection for a few years. But. the Marquis De L* Falaise came to i Ollywood and Gloria again saw the judge. Her marriage to the. Marquis was one of the most speetacular ever to take place in the fiim colony. But ii did not last. at leas’: for long. -The Marquis made his next ‘adventure into the matrimonial fieid with Constance Bennett, «while Gloria became. Mrs.. Michael Farmer. . Farmer shared the same fate as Somborn, and many other Trollywood husbands. |‘ .v being called. by. his wife’s name. Thus, "Mr. Gloria Swanson" was seen at lasi night’s big premiere of --." Such a method of reference has caused sev eral divorces in the film colony. Incidentally the Mrs. Marshatl-to-be has ‘two -grown-up daughters. "An interesting fact about Herbert_ Marshall is’that he has:a wooden leg, although his limp-is. ‘not very: ‘noticeable.on the screen, "Rerore FOR HOOKING "MIL: LIONAIRE" -must just -have easily been the title of Jean Iarlow's latest film, "Girl from Missouri." which.opened ‘at the Wellington Majestie at:. the ‘week-end. Miss Harlow's ‘appearance in ‘a: swimming suit briugs

to mind the remark of the famous Hollywood director. when discussing a hundred thousand dollar contract for A star: "Believe me, for a hundred ‘grand’ a girl's gotta be good all over". -and the audience at Miss Harlow’s latest film has. ample opportunity of ‘discovering that this star measures up to the director’s requirements.

SRNR RAR RRA Franchot Tone and Lione! Barry"more are the principal supporting artists. in this entertaining film, whica wanders from penthouses in New York to palatial vachts lying off Palm Beach, Jean Harlow is the scheming show-girl who’s determined, to land 4 millioraire or bust. Before the wedding bells ring out she finds herself in all sorts of tight corners, but love and Virtue .are triumphant in the’ ena Altogether "Girl from Missouri" is a bright and entertaining film, the prin cipals-playineg their parts in the maz ner: born. HE New Zealand public has seep "and heard many child artists dur ing the past ten.years. It is one thingy for precocious infants to be schooled ‘into clever imitations of adult dance and patter turns, but it is quite an. other thing for a child to be inducted into a role involving .a psychological study, demanding for its portrayal « very high order of intelligence besides acting talent. This thing, however, has been most successftilly accomplished in

the case of little Nova Pilbeam, a child of 14 years who, in the title role of the Gaumont-Br ifish picture, "Little Friend,’ gives an amazingly realistic rendition of the reaction of a chill te the surge of unhappy domestic events around her which culminate in an action for divorce. "Little Friend," which will shortly be released in New Zealand, presents a strong, dramatic story and features a’ powerful allround cast, including Matheson Lang and Lydia Sherwood. But Nova Pilbeam dominates the whole picture with her characterisation. She discloses au intuitive grasp of the author’s intentions which is little short of wonder: ful. Whether she is silently suffering, through "scenes" between her parents, painful in their cold-drawn bitternéss. or whether she is happily concerning herself with her childish joys, she is never other than an unself-conscious little girl, whose very naturalness makes for the "difference" which sets the picture on an entertainment plane of its own.