Screenland (May-Oct 1930)

for May 19 30 Lj> a 23 FRANCE! And now that the Battle of the Microphone is going so well, let's wipe a little of the smoke out of our eyes and see who's where and why not. Now that dashing Jeanne D'Arc hopping over yon deadly parapet. There's a neat trick1 for you. Boy, our biggest telescope. We'll have a close-up. Ah, ah! Slappie hannies! Boy, return that telescope! Now I see. Hmmmmmm! One of the reasons why Will Rogers had to see Paris. It's Mademoiselle Fifi Dorsay. Hoo, hoo, Fin! Come on over, Fifi! Fifi comes over, a vivacious Fifi with mop of black hair and large hazel eyes. A Fifi in a unique affair of tight-waisted black coat and black skirt with large white dots. No, not new styles, silly. Made up for her part. "Styles of 1915,"" she laughingly admits. How is the battle going today, Fifi? And what is that interesting looking parapet you've just been scaling? "Oh, I am so fatigued. These movies! Just now I have lunch. See, it is 2:30. Terrible. My head is in a whirl. These lines! Over and over and over again, they play the scene until Mr. Korda says it is right, and then I can only see the lines still going around in my head." (Wellknown and effective Dorsay gestures.) "But now I do a dramatique part. That is what I have always wanted to do. More dramatique part. This time I am a song and dance girl in French Morocco. I am a bad girl but I love this soldier, a legionaire who is wanted by the law. I hide him in my room and help him escape. It is very dramatique' (more effective gestures.) "Hell's Bellswell, that's the tentative title of this new picture in which Harold Murray is the lead with Fifi costarred. But wait until you hear those new songs she sings, Good Two of Fiance's most precious gifts to Hollywood: Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert This is a scene from "The Big Pond." Lily Damita lead the French invasion of Hollywood. She was made to feel at home and she can stay just as long as she likes. Time Fifi and Ce C'est Paris. Now, be quiet. You'll just have to wait. Fifi speculatively eyes the most glittering domes of stardom high up in gilded Hollywood. And why not? "Ever since I came to Amer-' ica I have wanted to go on the stage. When I was a stenographer in New York I was not satisfied. Then I got a small part in the 'Greenwich Village Follies.' Will Rogers was there' then. I liked working with Mr. Rogers in 'They Had To See Paris.' He is so bashful. It is nice to play a vamp part with Mr. Rogers." (Trills of famous Dorsay laughter.) "You know," surprise struggling with pride in her voice, "I went to work very quickly after my test in New York. Very few get to work quickly after their screen test. Just three weeks after my test, I was working here on the Fox lot." You see. That's the way the French work. "Look! I do not say V when I talk. Only in pictures when I must be a French girl. I must say 'sis' and 'zos" and everyt'ing. See, I can say 'thing.' Soon with a little, what do you say, a little concentration, I will play straight American parts. Then you will see. I can talk American. I will not have an accent." What, no 'z,' Fifi? No accent? Oh, please! "It is difficult to speak English with a' French accent when it does not come naturally. So many girls tried out for these parts, but either they did not speak enough English or they were Americans who spoke fluent French, but their accent was not right. Marion Davies was one who did this well in 'Marianne.' She was splendid. If my English is as good as her French. I will be glad." There's a beau geste for you. (Cent, on page 119)