Canadian Film Weekly (Feb 11, 1942)

February I1lth, 1942 General Every month in the United States and Canada millions of people spend a great sum of money collectively to read about their favorite stars in fan magazines. is American phenomenon has: veloped into several forms, chief Li of which is the fan magazine distributed in both English-speaking countries of the continent. This one is devoted impartially to the players and uses the most appealing angle in journalism, human interest. Fan magazines may now be found in every country. There are also fan magazines with regional circulation only and a@ number of semi-private ones, each devoted to a particular player. Added together, the fan magazine is the greatest single source of support of a publicity nature for the movies. The top dozen in the field have a general circulation of over 4,000,000 each month. The exhibitor and distributor can learn much from them. The frequency with which material on this or that star appears in them is a pretty good indication of the star’s drawing power. Minor players who are growing in appeal have their progress recorded by their popularity in print, since many readers buy them for the story on their current favorite. This breakdown indicates which _.way the winds of popularity are lowing. = In the magazines studied two were devoted to fiction written from the movie version. Twenty Stories, the majority taken from pictures not yet released, were printed and prodded the curiosity of the reader to see the film. Publicity for the stars seemed to be evenly divided. In only a single case, that of Alexis Smith, did two stories appear about the same player. There seems to be a working arrangement between the studios and the magazines to guarantee against duplication of subjects. HEATING AND VENTILATING Covers Betty Grable, the girl with the gorgeous gams, seems to be considered the finest come-on by the fan magazines. She had two coyers all to herself and one with George Raft. Three out of ten is a mighty strong share. She deserves them and it is proof that she is today’s darling, though her biggest years as a star are still to come. Maureen O’Hara and John Payne snaffied one cover together for their ‘‘To the Shores of Tripoli” for Fox. Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy also shared vne for MGM's “The Woman of the Year.” Others who got the front-page coveted color prints are Ann Sheridan, Lana Turner, Sonja Henie, Hedy Lamarr and Linda Darnell. Juvenile Stars In ten fan magazines checked | standing Mickey Rooney got just one story. His fame is, of course, secure and his pictures appear with such regularity the MGM’s Mickey needs little more than theatrical page Canadian FILM WEEKLY | Supporting Players The player in this category who got the most space is an actress whose name right now is not easily identified without further information. She is Rosemary De Camp, an American who is an expert at dialect character roles. Miss De Camp was the Danish immigrant in “Cheers for Miss Bishop” and she’ll be seen next as Sabu’s mother in ‘“‘The Jungle Book.” The attention she is drawing is a tribute to Miss De Camp, since the studio publicity departments waste little time on supporting players of a non-romantic character. After “Jungle Book” her appearance will draw warm recognition from the patrons. The ever-popular Chris-pin Martin, the Mexican fat man, is noted in the current crop, as is Akim Tamiroff, now probably the outsupporting player in character roles. Joseph Schildkraut drew a nod and a few more may help this fine actor get on the right track. He started out as a matinee idol but advertising in the dailies to stay| drifted into roles that bulwark in the public mind. However, a surprising angle brought out by the fan mags is the slow but sure comeback of Jackie Cooper, who was a great child star in his day and has lang uished somewhat between short and long pants. Paramount's recent “Glamour Boy,” an appealing picture that might have been Cooper’s own biography, helped somewhat. The fan mags on the stands currently carry two stories of Jackie Cooper and a fictionized yarn of his newest picture, made for RKO with Bonita Granville, and called “Syncopation.” It’s possible that he will get back into his old stride shortly. Right now there are a number of recent Cooper pictures that can be played to meet the growing demand. Young Virginia Weidler, who proved herself such a capable child stories—roles of varied nature. He should have been a name draw long ago and may find his way back to the marquees yet. Now in supporting roles but moving toward stardom is John Sutton, who backed up Tyrone Power in “A Yank in the RAF.” He drew the attention of one magazine. Foreign Stars A number of foreign stars are knocking on the door of public fancy or waiting to make their bows. The North American public has welcomed almost every outstanding European player, showing no dislike for an accent. Newest masculine interest of the public seems to be Paul Henried, who gave such a splendid performance in “Joan of Paris.’”’ He won two articles, a good score for a star, is also growing in popularity |mewcomer. Handsome and a fine scoring once for an article this time. Though she will probably become a character actress and a actor, he should provide another money name for the exhibitor. Michele Morgan, who played op supporting player rather than ajposite him in “Joan of Paris,” also glamor girl, she will always be a welcome addition to any marquee. The boy of the year, of course, is the small star of “How Green Was My Valley,” Roddy McDowell. He drew two articles this time. However, public interest will not be fully focused on him until “Valley” has had general runs. After that he’ll drag them in in anything. His new picture for Fox is “On the Sunny Side,” not yet re ee See mL tet) t44o¢9! leased, and his presence will pep WUHAN up its pull powerfully. drew the attention of one magazine and seems headed for a solid place in the public’s affection. Then there’s Kaaren Verne, who will be remembered for her expert playing in “Underground.” She'll be out in a new picture shortly and her one citation this time is only the beginning. She is already a draw, though her name is still unfamiliar. It will pay the exhibitor and studio to identify her in the advertising with ‘“Underground.” a Page ?Coming Stars Starlets rise, shine and die out with regularity. Many of them don’t even outlive the studio buildup. Some persist and these become stars. Two who, it seems from here, will find a fixed place in the cinema heavens soon are K. T. Stevens and Patricia Dane. The Stevens girl, who has had much national publicity, got one article on the eve of her debut in an important role. She gets a break in Paramount’s ‘‘The Great Man’s Lady” and may be a money-getter after that. Patricia Dane may also have her own pictures shortly. She’s in MGM's “Johnny Eager,’’ along with Lana Turner and Robert Taylor. After its release some of the pictures in which she merely showed up will have some extra attractions in their late bookings. Al Rogell Gets Around Director Al Rogell, who began directing ‘‘Butch Minds the Baby” at Universal, is rolling up what may be some kind of a speed record. Since April 1941, when he finished “Tight Shoes,” also a Damon Runyan original, he has completed five pictures and during that time has been idle only five days, including Sundays and holidays. Following “Tight Shoes” (Universal), he immediately went into production at the same studio on “Jail House Blues,” then shfited to Republic for “Sailors on Leave” and ‘‘Newspapermen Are Human,” followed by “True to the Army” at Paramount, then “Sleepy Time Gal” at Republic and now “Butch,” a Mayfair Production for Jules Levey. aeteeeeeeaeeeemmmemmmembataemmamme ee ee “New Super GARDINER Projector’ With Barrel rear shutter Has no equal for fine projection and long life. As low as $9.00 weekly. GET OUR PRICES AND YOU WILL SURELY BUY FROM US “YOU CAN GUESS THE REASON” SAVE, 2027. 0R MORE OF YOUR MONEY tHE LESTME SOUND PROECTCRS ALL” COLLPLEDE YHtzA dtl: SUPPLE ~ SCECLALISYS ECR 2 © YERKES The ASE HE MARE So MAC KACKS US DOMINION THEATRE EQUIPMENT €O S97 DAVIE ST VANCOUVER BC