Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1939)

Films Fit for a King LOLA LANE *Four Daughters" Any famous movie personality knows that beautiful eyes are one of her greatest assets. On the screen or off, she'd never risk a garish, too-made-up look. So of course she uses Maybelline — the modern, flattering eye make-up in good taste. "You never see me without correct eye make-up!" Says Lovely LOLA LANE You can have eyes like stars this same easy way. A soft blending of Maybelline Eye Shadow over your eyelids does things for your eyes — makes them look larger, wider-set, more luminous. The Maybelline smooth-marking Eyebrow Pencil is perfectly pointed to form graceful, expressive brows. Maybelline Mascara darkens your lashes to long sweeping loveliness, instantly. No trouble to apply. It's harmless, tear-proof, non-smarting. And it stays on perfectly — keeps the lashes soft and lustrous. If you want your eyes to be noticed and admired, insist on genuine Maybelline Eye Beauty Aids. Attractive purse sizes at all 10c stores. Maybelline Solid -form Mascara in gold -colored vanity. 75c. Shades, Black, Brown, Blue. Maybelline Smoothmarking Eyebrow Pencil. Black. Brown (and Blue for eyelid liner). Maybelline Cream form Mascara (easily applied wit houtwater) in dainty zipper case. Same shades. Maybelline Eye Shadow in six glamorous harmonizing shades. Disney rodent, is the story they tell of a charity matinee given not long ago for the Richmond Hospital. Arrangements were being discussed for the presence of the Queen at the matinee and, as is always the case when royalty attends the theater, a careful schedule was being prepared which would provide for the exact time of Queen Mary's arrival and departure. A few days before the matinee, the manager of the theater telephoned a secretary at Marlborough House. "By eliminating the Mickey Mouse comedy," he suggested, "Queen Mary will be able to see the whole program and be home for five o'clock tea." A short time later, the secretary called the theater. "Her Majesty requests that on no account you omit the Mickey Mouse," he instructed. "Her Majesty is most anxious to see it and doesn't mind being late for tea. In fact she would far rather miss tea than Mickey Mouse." I HE King's attendance at the theater is considerably less frequent than when he was the Duke of York. Once a year he attends a special performance at the Winter Garden, a matinee for the King George Pension Fund for Actors and Actresses, established by his father, George V. At least once a season he and the Queen occupy the royal box at the opera and occasionally George and Elizabeth grace a concert at Covent Garden with their presence. Most of all, however, the King enjoys his annual visit to London's Coliseum where the best musical turns of the year are assembled for a royal performance. Clever vaudeville comedy delights him and in none of his pictures does the King ever appear more intent on the spectacle he is viewing than when he is photographed in the royal box at the Coliseum. This year Princess Elizabeth accompanied her father and mother to the variety show for the first time and showed a keen enjoyment in the performance. For the most part, though, the King and Queen depend upon the palace showings of movies for their entertainment. When they move the royal household to Sandringham for the Christmas holidays, a generous supply of new films is always dispatched ahead for their amusement and seldom does a week end at Windsor go by without a movie being fitted into their program of recreation. Princess Elizabeth and her nineyear-old sister, Princess Margaret Rose, are already confirmed film fans. Once a week a movie is shown the little Princesses and their governesses and frequently some other members of the royal family, Queen Mary, the Duke and Duchess of Kent or their aunt, the Viscountess Lascelles, will drop in on these matinees. Ambassador Joseph Kennedy, the American representative at the ^ ^^^^~ " Court of St. James, and a favorite with the Princesses, has been a guest on several occasions at his young friends' film parties. The Duke and Duchess of Kent have inaugurated a form of film party distinctly their own. Instead of taking their dinner guests on (Continued from page 29) to one of the picture houses in the West End, they frequently arrange to have private showings in the projection rooms of one of the film company's London offices. After the regular office staff has gone home for the night, the royal party arrives and takes over the projection room for the evening, usually going on to a supper club after the screening. The Duchess of Kent, admittedly the style leader among London's smart set, is an enthusiast over any picture which presents new fashions. The wardrobe of Irene Dunne in "Love Affair" is said to have won her nod of approval. When he was the foremost figure in London's night life as the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Windsor was a constant patron at the picture houses, often dropping in unannounced and, if the house was sold out, sitting on the balcony steps in the foyer to watch some favorite. Fred Astaire was the particular pet of this dance-minded Prince, whose various partners used to make social history as "Girls Who Danced With the Prince of Wales." The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester confine their movie-going mostly to what shows they see as dinner guests at Buckingham Palace and the numerous charity performances they are urged to attend. In recent years, it has become quite an established practice among hospitals and other charitable organizations seeking to raise funds to sponsor the first night of a new film at one of the larger London theaters. Queen Mary, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke and Duchess of Kent are asked to aid the benefits by appearing and usually some member of the royal family, in many cases all of them, accept. Attendance of royalty at an increasing number of these charity premieres has lent to London much of the brilliance and glamour of Hollywood first nights. When it is known that one of the royal family is to be present, there is a rush for seats by that part of society which likes to see its sequins in the rotogravure sections. Crowds surround the theater for a glimpse of the celebrities and there is the same atmosphere of a human peacock parade that marks the dressy premieres of the Carthay Circle in Hollywood. KlNG GEORGE is an ardent camera enthusiast. He owns several motionpicture cameras, both 16 millimeter and standard size, and the making of amateur movies is one of his chief hobbies. The King has a full photographic history of his trips to various parts of the Empire when he was Duke of York, and it is not unlikely that on his trek YOUR FAITH A nonsectarian, pocket-size magazine packed with interest for those who feel the need of some Power higher than themselves to stabilize their lives and bring encouragement and hope. It is filled with human interest stories and articles which show the vital experiences people have had with religion. Discussions of creeds and doctrines are avoided. It does not preach. Striking cases of answers to prayer, rewarded faith and rebuilt lives make their own appeal, and conclusions are left to the reader's individual idea of God and His dealing with man AT YOUR NEWSDEALER'S A MACFADDEN PUBLICATION across Canada, before visiting the United States, the King will have added a host of scenic shots to his film collection. Not only is His Majesty expert in the use of a movie camera, but he has a thorough understanding of the mechanics of projection. This was proved during his trip to Australia as the Duke of York. He was viewing a film in the officers' mess of H.M.S. Renown when the movie was halted because of trouble with the projector. When neither the seaman, who was operating the machine, nor any of the officers in the audience seemed able to get it going again, the Duke of York fussed with the cantankerous mechanism a few minutes and soon had it in running order. It was, he explained, a machine similar to the one he operated himself at home. I HE movies of themselves which the King and Queen enjoy most are those taken by Princess Elizabeth, who shares her father's enthusiasm for this hobby. They are, of course, the most photographed couple in England, with the newsreels covering every function they attend. The Queen is a particularly good subject, the newsreel men declare, having an easy manner before the camera and a dramatic sense for the little details which make a picture interesting. Her Majesty does not mind facing a whole battery of cameras, but she has certain favorite poses. The King is slightly more self-conscious. Incidentally, most newsreels, of royalty made in England, must be submitted to Buckingham Palace for approval before their release. This custom began when Edward VIII was King because of the release of a reel in which Edward was shown in what seemed to be a rather undignified pose. As most American -audiences are aware from newsreel shots of the present Duke of Windsor, he is a rather nervous, self-conscious person before the camera, constantly fixing his tie or tugging at his coat. On this particular occasion, Edward kept pulling his coat down and when the reel was printed it looked as if he had been scratching himself with great vigor. In addition to countless newsreels, King George has appeared in one short made for the Safety First Association in England. His Majesty was pictured examining the medals which were to be awarded drivers with good records and signing a letter of endorsement of the Association's work. The scenes involved several people and the King seemed to relish the rehearsals and even suggested bits of business to improve the action. It is safe to suppose that during their visit to America ^ ■~~"""— their Majesties will be photographed more frequently than ever before and that on their return to England a newsreel record of their trip will be one of their most highly cherished souvenirs. For King George and Queen Elizabeth are very movie minded monarchs. 84 PHOTOPLAY