The filmgoers' annual (1932)

Intimate Lives of the Stars 163 DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, Jr. Born at a time when his father was a young actor of rising popularity on the metropolitan stage, with the screen far beyond his horizon, young Doug, was educated by tutors and at schools in New York, Paris, London, Pasadena, and Los Angeles. Among his studies were painting and sculpture, in which he was trained for three years in Paris, which he still pursues for pleasure. The personal connection of Douglas, Jr., with motion pictures began when he hung around the studios as a boy. Now and then he would make a suggestion to his father or to the director in charge of the picture. If it was adopted he would receive a very welcome cheque. He was an extra in several pictures before assuming his first role in " Stephen Steps Out." Since then his pictures include " A Texas Steer," " Is Zat So?" "Stella Dallas," " The Barker," and " A Woman of Affairs," in which his characterisation of the heroine's neurotic brother attracted wide attention. Beside his screen work, young Mr. Fairbanks has appeared on the legitimate stage in California in " Romeo and Juliet," " Young Woodley," " Saturday's Children," and others. Besides painting and carving, he has written a book of poems that he intends to publish in the spring. He also wrote the titles for two of his father's pictures, " The Black Pirate " and " The Gaucho," as well as for " Two Lovers," in which Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky starred. During the making of " The Black Pirate " he became interested in Technicolor, made a study of the processes involved, and is to-day a recognised specialist on the subject. He is also a costume designer of marked ability, as " The Black Pirate " again proved. After two years' engagement, he and Joan Crawford were married June 3, 1929, in New York City. They appeared together in " Our Modern Maidens." Born in New York, December 9, 1907 ; height 6 feet ; fair hair ; blue eyes. CHARLES FARRELL Born at Walpole, Mass., on August 9, 1905. Educated in the public schools, and at Boston University. Paid his way through college by working in a restaurant and selling real estate. After completing his second year at college, met " Little Billy," a vaudeville actor, at one of his father's three theatres in Onset. Was invited to tour West with the act, acting financial agent and property man. Parents did not object to his seeing the country in this way. Eventually the act reached Los Angeles. Had always nursed a desire to appear as an extra in a motion picture mob scene. Kept it to himself until he reached Los Angeles. Then quit " Little Billy " and started out to get a job in one of the mob scenes in a Hollywood studio. His cash capital was 18 dollars. Just before the last dollar was spent, finally landed a job. In a mob scene, too. King Vidor William Haines was once a stockbroker. He is still a " smart Alec " in talking pictures. was directing the picture at the Metro Studio. Did extra work for many weeks. Finally was given a bit to do — carrying Mary Pickford out of a scene in " Rosita." Transferred his activities to the Fox and did extra work in but one picture before he was "discovered." Was given the leading male role in "Wings of Youth." After that, played in Mack Sennett comedies and did odd parts in various studios. Finally found himself back at the West Coast Studios playing in " Sandy." " Old Ironsides " and " The Rough Riders." Between the making of these pictures, spent his idle moments on the Fox lot. Went in to see Frank Borzage, intending to recommend one of his friends as just the boy to play " Chico " in " 7th Heaven " which Borzage was casting. Borzage gave the part to him instead of to his friend. After this outstanding success, played again opposite Janet Gaynor in " Street Angel." Then successively in " Fazil," " The Red Dance," " The River," " Our Daily Bread," and " Lucky Star." 6 feet, 2x/2 inches tall; weighs 178 pounds, has wavy brown hair and pleasant brown eyes. GRACIE FIELDS Born Rochdale, Lancashire, 1899, Gracie Fields made her first appearance on the stage when she won a singing competition in her native town. When she was twelve she joined a juvenile troupe. After a time she joined a revue in which the leading comedian was Archie Pitt, who suggested taking out a show of his own and asked Gracie Fields if she would care to join him. She agreed, and they shook hands on it, Gracie remarking "It's a bargain ! " The show was called " It's a Bargain," and ran for three years, having its ups and downs — more downs than ups. Pitt then launched " Mr. Tower of London," in which Gracie Fields did not miss one performance in the seven years run of over 4,000 performances. This record was created under very trying conditions, with a touring show visiting towns where in many instances theatres were antiquated. After the run of " Mr. Tower of London," Archie Pitt produced " By Request. ' ' Then Sir Gerald du Maurier engaged Gracie Fields as his leading lady for " S.O.S." at the St. James's. Soon after this Archie Pitt launched " The Show's the Thing," which played for a year at the Victoria Palace, The Lyceum, and the Winter Garden. Since " The Show's the Thing " finished, Gracie Fields has been playing in vaudeville and has made many appearances at the London Palladium, where she is one of the biggest attractions London has known. " Sally in our Alley," adapted by Miles Malleson from the play " The Likes of 'Er," is her first screen appearance. It is an Associated Radio picture directed by Maurice Elvey. KAY FRANCIS Kay Francis was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Friday, January 13, in the thirteenth month of her mother's marriage. When she was a year old, her parents brought her to Santa Barbara, California. They later moved to Los Angeles, then to Denver. When Kay was four years old, her mother, Katherine Clinton, well-known repertoire player, put her in a private school in New York and returned to the stage. She did not want her daughter to become an actress, so Kay entered a secretarial school in New York City and learned typewriting and shorthand. Instead of getting a job as a stenographer, however, she took a trip to Europe and spent eight months abroad seeing France, Holland, and England. On her return trip she determined to go on the stage. Her mother did not actually oppose the move, but allowed Kay to make her way on her own merits. Her first opportunity was in the role of the player queen in the modern version of Shakespeare's " Hamlet." She next spent a season with a stock company. Returning to New York, she appeared in " Venus," " Crime," and "Elmer the Great." Learning that a leading woman was wanted for Walter Huston in "Gentlemen of the Press," she took a test for the role. Because she is a brunette she almost lost the part. Millard Webb, the director, wanted a blonde for the role as Huston is a brunette. Miss Francis' tests were so satisfactory, however, that she was selected. Her work was so satisfactory that she was signed to a Paramount featured player's contract and sent to the Hollywood studios. Then three days after her arrival she was cast as Clara Bow's love rival in " Dangerous Curves." Other Paramount pictures to date are : " The Cocoanuts," " Illusion," " Behind the Make-up," " Street of Chance," " Let's Go Native," and " The Virtuous Sin." Born in Oklahoma City, Okla., Friday, January 13; height, 5 feet 5 inches ; eyes, grey ; hair, black.