Hollywood Studio Magazine (April 1972)

DOWN MEMORY LANE Joyce Compton — A graduate of Tulsa University, Joyce Compton was born in Lexington, Kentucky. When her family moved to Hollywood she was placed under contract at First National Studios and in 1926 was named one of the Wampas Baby Stars, a top honor in the golden era of Hollywood. Today we are introduced to the newcomers as Deb stars. Joyce made her screen debut in “Ankles Preferred” and with her flair for comedy appeared in over 200 films during the 30s and 40s. In featured and leading roles she made appearances in “If I Had A Million,” “Luxury Liner” and “Only Yesterday.” She made her last appearance on the “Pete and Gladys” television show, and since has maintained an active life as a dress designer and artist. She was recently commissioned to do an oil portrait of her old friend, Jack Oakie, at the request of his wife. Now living in Sherman Oaks in the home she actually help build with her father and mother in 1935, Joyce continues her painting and has been quite active in church work in Van Nuys. She spends a great deal of her time visiting old friends at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills. Joyce is still interested in working before the cameras and since no parts have been offered has decided to try for commercial spots. There seems to be many television shows in which an actress of Joyce Compton’s ability would fit in perfectly. * * * Charles Starrett - One of the founders of the Screen Actors Guild and holder of gold life-time membership card number 10, Charles Starrett began his motion picture career as an extra with other football players in “The Quarterback” while attending Dartmouth College. A native of Athol, Massachusetts, Starrett joined the Stewart Walker Stock Company when he finished college and toured Cincinnati and Indianapolis for three years. His first motion picture, made in New York, was an early sound film entitled “Damaged Love” with June Collyer and Mrs. Pat O’Brien. In 1933 he appeared in a succession of films for Paramount, including “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi,” “Murder on the Campus” and “So Red the Rose.” Columbia Pictures signed Starrett in 1936 and he made over 100 westerns at that studio in 17 years, possibly a record for length of time at one studio. Included in the long list of films were “Raiders of the Badlands,” “West of Tombstone” and “Overland to Deadwood.” He also will be remembered by fans for his portrayal of “The Durango Kid.” For seven consecutive years he was voted one of the top Money-Making Western Stars in the Motion Picture Herald-Fame Poll. Married for over forty years to the former Mary McKinnon, the Starretts have two sons, identical twins. Today the former western star devotes his time between his summer home in June Lake, in the High Sierras, and his winter home in Laguna Beach. When not traveling he spends much of his time hunting and fishing. Ruth Donnelly — Having appeared in over a hundred films, Ruth Donnelly is one of Hollywood’s most honored supporting players and her absence from the screen the past few years has created a void that only an actress of her wide-scale ability could fulfill. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, May 17, 1896, Ruth got her start on the New York stage and remained there for twenty years. For four seasons she appeared with George M. Cohan, who wrote comedy parts in his plays especially for her. In Ruth’s own words she has portrayed everything from a “nun to a nut” in her long and fabulous career. She will be best remembered for her role as a nun in “The Bells of St. Mary’s” and her outstanding portrayal as one of the inmates in “The Snake Pit.” Other films in which she has appeared included “Fighting Father Dunne” and her last two roles: “Autumn Leaves” and “The Way to the Gold.” A few years ago Ruth returned to the Broadway stage to co-star with Dorothy Stickney in a comedy, “The Riot Act.” Since then, she has spent most of her time painting and was delighted to make her first sale to Lady Sarah Roubanis, the niece of Winston Churchill. Not one to remain idle, Ruth is also putting the finishing touches to a note book entitled “Tripping Along.” For several years she has written poetry and lyrics as a hobby and recently had an outstanding patriotic march published. The widow of Basil W. De Guichard, former Consultant Executive with Lockheed Aircraft, Ruth now lives in New York, does a lot of traveling, painting and writing. 19