Up-and-Coming Stars Find Market For Their Talent in Hollywood

Radio Record, 21 August 1936, Page 27

Up-and-Coming Stars Find Market For Their Talent in Hollywood

REMEMBER the days of the Wampas Baby Stars, when lots of cute lil gals broke into the films, mostly on the soundness of wind and limb? Well, those days are well and truly past, and to-day Hollywood is looking for real acting ability-and getting it! New talent is coming along like a house afire, and new -actors and actresses are seizing their opportunities with both hands. Of the 1936 batch of reeruits there are two young .men who are making people talk. One is Lionel Stander, who did such excellent work in "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town"; the other is James Stewart, who has lately been collected by Joan Crawford for one of her three leading men in "The Gorgeous Hussy." In "The Seoundrel" ad A TOUSLE-HEADED hunk of brawn" is one way of describing Lionel Sander, the young man who is by no means good-looking, but who -steals scenes from stars with the utmost ease, Like most up-and-coming state, Stander has been all sorts of things-in a newspaper: office, in a film publicity department, a creator of "thrillers." It was in Noel Coward’s film "The Seouwndrel" that he first attracted attention. His work in this pic-

ture-it was made in New York-took him on the first train to Hollywood, where he has appeared with Harold Lioyd in "The Milky Way," with Jean Arthur in "If You Could Only Cook," and with Marion Davies in "Page Miss _ Glory." And now Hollywood calls him Seene-Stealer Number 1! With Joan Crawford Af AMES STEWART, the other rumble of thunder, is a gangling young man, taller than Clark Gable and with

hair that refuses to stay put, ire nas been in Hollywood about nine montlis and already he has had parts in pictures with such famous stars as Jeanette MacDonald, Jean Harlow and Margaret Sullavan. Now Joan Crawford has noticed his talent.and he is to play a big part in her new film, Nobody would eall Jimmy Stewart goodlooking, but, once you’ve seen him on the screen, he’s not easily « forgotten. Perhaps one day he'll be as popular us Gary Cooper, whom he resembles in a queer sort of way. He’s a. Princeton man who played in college shows and eventually attracted the attention of 4 stock company, He was given a chance in a-play called "Goodbye Again," destined for the bright blaze of Broadway. The rest was comparatively easy. Toes That Tap ND then there are two ‘girls who are definitely making the grade. At Paramount Studios is a Slip of a girl named Eleanor Whitney, She has huge brown eyes, toes that tap and legs that move like a couple of:streaks of lightning. She was given a-try-out in "Millions in the Aix" aiid was so good that.she jumped into a leading role in "three OChéers for Love," playing opposite another future star, Robert Cummings. Cummings broke into pictures with probably the biggest hoax in the history of the American stage, Just an ordinary boy with a Missouri accent, he borrowed £40: from his father, added it to his own savings and went steerage to Nngland. Once there, he worked like the devil, acquired an English accent and did a bit of acting. Then he cabled five New York proflucers requesting interviews. Ilis accent impressed, he talked- lots about the old family seat in Dorchester, kuew

the cathedrals and rivers of England like the back of his hand-and got one of the leads in a. Galsworthy play on Broadway. Then came Carroli’s "Vanities" and the "Follies" where his name went up in lights. Finding the accent a bit of a strain young Cummings spiit the beans about his Missouri home-and everyone liked him for the confession. He'll be a star all right--and soon.

Star of To-morrow HE other girl is June Lang, lovely . to look at and with that streamlined sort of figure that must have given car manufacturers the idea in the first place. June began her film career & year or two ago under the name of June Vlasek-but it came to a full stop. | When the merger between Tox and Twentieth Century took place the eagie eye of Darryl Zanuck alighted on June. He brought her forth from her obscurity. changed her name to Lang-and ereated a new star of to-morrow. She had a good part in "The Country Doctor," the Dionne Quintuplets picture that brought to light another: budding star-Michael Whalen, who played the part of the young doctor who fell in iove with June. Moving Round "THEATRE managers in New Zealand continue to move round. Last week it was announced that Alec Regan, who went from the Regent in Wellington to the Auckland Regent, is returning to Wellington. The news is now out that Alec wiil return’ to take charge of the Majestic, which, since a change in policy, has become one of the most important theatres in the Dominion. Jim Donoghue, who has’ managed seyeral flesh ’n’ blood companies in New Zealand, and who hag been" looking after the Christchurch Theatre goes to the Auckland Regent. Albert Bidgood, manager of the Avon Theatre, Christchurch, has moved to the Dunedin Empire, while Bob Shephard,.of J, ©. Williamson’s head office staff, has

moved into the Avon, from which post he will direct his company’s South Isiand activities, Veterans Back T’S remarkable how the veteran players are making the grade again in films. Betty Compson and Maurice Costello are to be seen on the screen in the near future in "Hollywood Boulevarde." Esther Ralston, Bryant Washburn and Roy d’Arcy are also in this film, which has John Halliday and Wilson in the leading roles. Bessie Love (remember her triumph in "Broadway. Melody," to say nothing of the silent days) is returning in "Live Again.’ She'll costar with Noah Beery, featured role being played by John Garrick. The latter scored a great success in "Rose Marie’ in New Zealand when his name was Reginald Dandy. New Contract AROLD LLOYD hag renewed his contract with Paramount, and the bespectacled one who has proved the continuance of his popularity with "The Milky Way," will be called on to make at least one a year. In addition there is the possibility of him producing several films in which he Will not appear. Alj of which should be good for Paramount, because Hal certainly knows picture-making. In the Flesh HE actors of to-day do not let time rest easily on their hands, ' What with radio baiting with big cash and the personal appearance game being played by theatre managements to the extreme, the folks with names are finding plenty of attention towards them. Interesting are the figures which the filmsters are asking for the right to let audiences see them in the flesh. Zasu Pitts places her value at £1000 per week; May Robson is slightly be-

* low, 2s is also Virginia Bruce. Charles Farrell, who is back in ‘his stride after his visit to Australia, seeks £550 per week; Chester Morris, £515; Robert Young, £500; Frank Albertson, £500. and Lois Wilson, £125. In Australia [{!PRESSED with the rough cut of "White Death," it is understood that Australian Barrier Reef Productions will set out on a.series of feature productions. The Zane Grey unit is back in Sydney after eleven weeks on location at the Barrier Reef, and, with the last scenes shot last week, release of the film ig expected in September. Paramount Week WIDELY-KNOWN throughout Australia and New Zealand as the start of a new show season, Paramount Week for 1986 will be observed from Saturday, August 29, to Friday September +. During this period 250 of the Dominion’s theatres will present specially-chosen Paramount pictures and a gala show week will be gencrally observed. For 15 years, Paramount Week has been similarly ceiebrated. but this year is of particular importance as it marks the silver jubilee of the Paramount organisation.

Royal Command ¥ command of his Majesty, the King, a special screening of "Under Two Flags" took place at his country residence, Mord Belvedere. Now in its fourth week at the Sydney State, "Under Two Flags" continues to play to big business, and-is creatine wide-

spread. interest and enthusiasm amongst the trade and public,’ Dates for New Zealand screenings are ‘now arranged.