They Tell Me That

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 27, 16 December 1938, Page 19

They Tell Me That

Our Srecial Correspondent, Jennifer Quentin, Gives You The Latest Hollywood Gossip

OLLYWOOD will be paumed as *‘eo-respon-dent’? in the divorce of the lovely Annabella and her Freneh film star husband, Jean Murat. And the petite French actress has denied that anotker love interest is responsible for her domestie rift, "I marry Tyrone Power? But that is silly," she said. "He is a nice boy, but that is all. Hollywood is the reason for our divorce. Our work separates us for so long that it is impossible for us to remain married. "Tt is not always good to be a film star in America. It is like being a goldfish in a bowl. They

must know what I eat, what I think, all that I do. They even want to know whom I love-and that I tell no one.’ Annabella’s formula for getting a start in movies is a simple one. ‘J always said yes," she explains. "They asked me if I could dances. I said yes. Tf I could ride a horse. If said yes. if I could swim. To everything I said yes." New Deanna Durbin MHE film world is wondering if Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which had the original under contract once and let her go, has another Deanna Durbin in Leni Lynn. Leni is _ the thirteen-year-oid singing Cinderella, who rode into Hollywood recently on a silver chariot made up of the dimes of 10,000 Passaic, New Jersey, school chums.. Leni’s story is as fantastic as anything ever put on the screen. Her real name is Angelina Ciofani, and she is the daughter of a poor Italian factory worker-in- Passaic. Iaexsed with an’ amazing, natural coloratura voice she gave vent her happy heart in song at amateur and benefit per formances in her home town. Apology Pending. BASIL RATHBONE'S welle known dignity deserted him the other evening. .With Nirs. Rathbone, he was coming out of the theatre after one of those hectic Hollywood premieres, An ower. enthusiastic fan snatched the carnation he was wearing in his button hole. Turning round indignantly, he said in his ‘iciest tones, "I think you are very ill-bred." But the fan had fled and Basil discovered that he was addressing a somewhat, startied and aggrieved Hedy Lamarr.

Russia’s Rainbow CHUCKLES are fiying through the Hollywood air at the latest Gregory Ratoff story. It seems Ratofi, proud of his Russian birth, dubiously ered a visitor to his set. "So?" questioned Ratoff, "you are a Russian, eh?" "Yesss, 2 Russian," was the reply. "White or Red?" demanded Ratoff. "I am a Yellow Russian," said the visitor. Ratofi gestured wildly. "A yellow Russian? And vat is a yellow Russian?" "| am ai yellow Russian," shrugged -he visitor, "becus I am afraid from everyone." That Charlie McCarthy! HERE'S no living with Charlie McCarthy now, so claims Edgar Bergen, sinee the bilase dummy was invited to place his footprints among the great in the Chinese Theatre foyer. And here’s a comical incident that took plac3 at that imprinting. John Stahl, a marvellous director noted for his sternzess and harddriving manner, was present at the affair with Bergen and McCarthy. While Bergen was conversing with a friend, Stahl quietly slipped over and picked up Charlie. He turned him this way and that way attempting to make the dummy move and live. Charlie endured this embarrassment in utter silence, for Bergen was talking to a friend. Stahl’s fussing with Charlie, however, went on until sudr denly Charlie spoke up: "it’s mo use, Stahl Wm just not in the mood, so cut it out," Abashed at the unexpected retort, Stahl quickly laid down the dummy and walked off, New °*is?? Girl WHY are still talking of "Jean Harlow Successors." The latest name to be mentioned is that of Lane Turner, the little girl who used to worl as a soda server in a drug siore near the studios. Lana did well as the schoolgirl: in "They VYon’t Forget," and as the complication in

Mickey Rooney’s love life in "Love Finds Andy Hardy." Now she has scored a hit in "Rich Man, Poor Girl," and is being wuilt up in a featured role in "Dramatic School" with Luise Rainer. At cighteen (and she doesn’t look that} she is a bit young for Harlow roles, but she has "It, Dese, Dem and Dose" and I shouldn’t be surprised to see her set the screen on fire 2s a new edition of Clara Bow. Cruelty Censor ID you know that there was an "animal censor’? His name is I. J, Lee, and he works. for Sereen Czar Will Hays and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Lee’s job is this: In many countries, including Great Britain, an entire picture can be cancelled if there is a scene in it in which an animal seemingly is being treated cruelly, or seemingly, was treated eruelly in order to get a performance from it. Lee works on the set of the pictures with animals in them. His work is easy-he just sits there and watches to ensure that no cruelty is practised. Should an animal go berserk, he has a rifle and -ammunition to stop that quickly.. But thus far, he hasn’t fired a shot in 11 years. Should, say, Kansas censors com-~-plain about treatment of an animal in a certain picture, the Hays official will provide Lee’s affidavit that there was no cruelty. . Will They-Won’t They CHARLIE CHAPLIN and Paulette Goddard certainly keep the columnists guessing. The muchdiscussed couple appear to have made up their differences, and Charlie is coaching Paulette for her forthcoming stage appearance. Paulette, accompanied by her mother and a Los Angeles architect, recently visited Reno to plan the construction of a winter sports club, but only spent a day in the divorce rendezvous. Laughton as Lear ASTER Barrett, Bligh and Ruggles comes-King Lear. Charles Laughton wants to play the part of Shakespeare’s best-known king. "Most actors," says Laughton, have their favourite classic characters. Mine has always been Lear, and I am looking forward to the day when I shall play the part. Pll probably make a mess of it, but at least I will have a try."

MacDonald-Raymond T looks as if we may have Jeanette MacDonald and hubby Gene Raymond "teamed" in a picture after all. Her studio has been looking for a leading man for Jeanette’s next picture. Nelson Eddy is not available as he. is down to do a film with Ilona Massey. ~ Now a petition signed by 1,700 fans demanding that Mr. and Nirs. Raymond be co-starred may settle the issue. Jeanctte, herself, however, is a little dubious about. the project. , "Yes, I’d like to work with Gene in a film," she says, "but we both wonder if it would be wise. We’ve been married for fifteen months and haven’t had a fight yet, so why tempt providence?" They Make Money, Too NE wonders if Frank Capra appreciates the significance of the title of his new film, "You Can’t Take It With You." He should, , Statistics furnished by the National Labour Relations Board of America reveal that he draws ‘£25,000 for each of three pictures a year, plus two bonuses of £12,000 each and 25 ner cent. of the profits. ‘That makes him the highest-paid director in films. Other big money "meggers" are Leo McCarey, £25,000 a picture; Rouben Mamoulian, £12.000 a picture, and Edward Griffith, £1,200 a week. Nice work if you can get it. Crawford and Dog BECAUSE of the howls of her pet dachshund over an animated cartoon, Joan Crawford was invited to leave a theatre recently. While driving through Westwood, Joan and a friend, Mrs. Ray Miliand, wife of the Paramount star, decided to stop and see a picture they had missed.

Joan explained to the manager that her deg was a quiet, weli-be-haved animal, and recognising Miss Crawford, the manager agreed to admit the women with the dog. But the cartoon caused the animal to yelp so loudly that an usher asked them to depart. Disa ppointment O Clark Gable is not to have his big chance after all! We have seen announced in the public prints from time to time that he would go to England to play in the Bernard Shaw film, "The Devil’s Disciple’ for Pascal

Productions-the outfit that made "Pygmalion," ~ Now M-G.-M. announce definitely that Clark will not be released or lent to appear in that picture, So the poor fellow will miss his big chance of getting into a British picture, and have to struggle along as pest he can with just Holly wood to play in,