Hollywood (Jan - Mar 1943)

He Knows | Every time a Hollywood director is faced with a dull spot in a contemplated production, he sends for Lynne Overman. If the director happens to be under contract to Paramount, this is a cinch. If not, it encompasses screaming and yelling and the passing back and forth of large hunks of dough. The result is that the dull spot in the production is dull no longer. With Overman in the part, in fact, it is usually so outstanding that the other actors begin scanning the union rules against scenestealing. And since there is nothing in the book to prevent one thespian from taking a picture away from another, they decide that only a better performance from their corners will remedy the situation. The film therefore becomes noteworthy instead of run-of-the-mill. For Lynne Overman knows his business. He is one of a small group of men in Hollywood who are actors, not merely personalities. He can take the common, un-lyrical lines ordinarily dished out to a supporting player and make them and the role into something that lives, and is human and convincing. One reason for this is that Overman has been in the theater and on the screen since he was a gangling youth. Another is that he himself is a quiet, simple, calm guy who makes a living out of acting. To him, his profession is a business by which he supports his family, not a means of adulation. Therefore, he conducts it like a business. He puts the best he has into a part, using the tools fate and experience gave him; then he goes home and has a beer with his wife. Overman was once a big name on Broadway. "I was the Alan Ladd of my Acting is purely a business to Lynne Overman ; he's mastered it thoroughly, as his characterization of the Oldtimer (above) in The Forest Rangers proves By LEE BENNETT generation," he says, making that sourpuss he's made so famous on the screen. That was when he was the hit of Oh, Boy!, a musical which ran over a year in New York; when he did two and a half years of Just Married both in this country and England; when he wowed 'em in The Hottentot and Little Accident; when he played in Yes, Yes, Yvette, the show that brought Jeanette McDonald to the attention of Hollywood. Sure, Overman was a big-shot. He had dough in the bank and a sharp wardrobe in his closet. But he was still Overman, a quiet, simple, calm guy with a dead pan who was making a living by putting on grease-paint. He still is. To understand why he hasn't changed and has taken both his stage and screen success so unconcernedly, you must remember that Lynne comes from Missouri. He was born in a little town called Trenton, a few miles "up in the brush"' from Kansas City. [Continued on page 57] NCW under -arm Cream Deodorant safely Stops Perspiration 1. Does not harm dresses, or men's shirts. Does not irritate skin. 2. No waiting to dry. Can be used right after shaving. 3. Instantly checks perspiration for 1 to 3 days. Removes odor from perspiration, keeps armpits dry. 4. A pure white, greaseless, stainless vanishing cream. 5. Arrid has been awarded the Approval Seal of the American Institute of Laundering, for being harmless to fabrics. I ARRID 39^ajar (Also in 1 Oc and 59c Jars) Buy a jar of ARRID today at any store which sells toilet goods. MINED aho CUT JSSm, Famous WHITE Zircon gem from Siam. Sparkles like a diamond, costs 9S% less! FREE catalog of amazing values in genuine Zircons set in men's and women's yellow or white gold rings. Write for your FREE copy today! When in M Yt visit our showrooms KIMBERLY GEM CO.. Inc. Dept. F 7 503 5th Ave. N.Y.C. FREE ENLARGEMENT For Hollywood Readers Just to get acquainted we will beautifully enlarge any snapshot, photo, Kodak picture, print or negative to 5x7 inch size FREE — with this coupon. Please include color of hair and eyes and get our new bargain offer giving you your choice of handsome frames with a second enlargement beautifully hand tinted in natural lifelikeoil colors and sent on approval. Your original returned with your enlargement (a Sc stamp for return mailing appreciated). T.nok over your pictures now and send us your favorite snapshot or negative todav. DEAN STUDIOS, Dept. 528, 211 W. 7th St., Des Moines, Iowa. Enclose this coupon with your favorite snapshot, picture, print or negative and send to DEAN STUDIOS, Dept. 528, 211 W. 7th St.. Des Moines, Iowa. I Color of Hair Name | Address | Color of Eyes City State I 49