Modern Screen (Dec 1935 - Nov 1936)

inform sitioii desk If you would like to see a brief synopsis of your favorite's life in lliis department, fill in and send us the coupon on page 57. General questions, of course, will be answered here, too. Those asked most frequently and the most interesting ones receive first preference. And not too many at a time please. Address: The Information Desk, Modern Screen, 149 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y. ASK A QUESTION— GET AN ANSWER John Howard MARIE WHEELER. Willimantic. Conn.; JANE SILL, Ozone Park, N. Y.; GWEN. Omatia. Neb.: FLORENCE BERRELL, Trenton, N. J.; LORRAINE ZVONAR. Newark, N. J.; MORRY, Binghamton. N. Y.; PHYLLIS COHEN, Leavenworth. Kans.; JOSEPHINE GREGORY, LETTY GIBNEY, Bronx, N. Y.; I. BULLWINKEL, Bloomfield, N. J.; KAREN STONER, Hagerstown, Md.— Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it be known that the very attractive young man who played the part of Duncan Haley, lorn Brown s older brother, in "Annapolis Farewell," is none other than JOHN HOWARD. Mr. Howard is a conijiarative new-comer to the screen, his first picture being Lar 99" in which be used John Cox as his screen name. Now it's back to Howard, but don't ask why. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 14, 1913, John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Howard. Educated in the public schools of East Cleveland, he was an excellent student and won a scholarship to Western Reserve Universitv. There he held more honors than is believable. Was president of the University Players and the Student Council ; senior manager of the basketball team ; member of the National Collegiate Players, of the Y.M.C. A. Cabinet, the University Choir and the Thalian Club; won a Phi Beta Kappa Key, a W.R.U. Honor Key, a scholarship for work in English and a couple of essay prizes. Moreover he was chosen as the most outstanding man in the Senior Class. His school activity was divided between dramatics and sports and he found time to broadcast over radio station 'VVHK where he sang and played the piano. In the spring of 1934 a Paramount talent scout spotted young Howard in a campus show and offered him a chance to go to Hollywood. This amazing young man refused— because he had won. along with all the other things, a scholarship to the graduate school. And without that, he could not earn the professorship in English on which he'd set his heart. Soon he learned that it would be financially impossible for him to take tins graduate course, so he reconsidered the offer. His screen test was satisfactory and in September, 1934, Mr. John Howard reported at the Paramount Studio in Hollywood, where he proceeded to spend his first three months in the study of motion picture acting and technique, before he was put in a picture. Howard's hobbies are drawing and painting. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs l.=>0 pounds, and has blue eyes and brown hair. "i\Iillions in the Air" is bis third picture, following whir'T he will aiipear in "Soak the Rich." 1 ^« ^^^.'^im^HHS^B NOTE: Because there are Mlf'^^^^^BS^f^Pn^S over 350 requests for " *j^^^^^^HB2S^^i^ biographies of the following players, it will be impossible to print the names and addresses this month. Please consider yourself included. DICK POWELL— Born in Mountain View. Ark., on November 14. 1904. Richard E. Powell (his genuine name) was just another country boy until he attained the age of 12 years. At this time liis father, mother and two brothers, Howard and Luther, transplanted themselves to Little Rock where young Dick attended school and college. During this time Dick began to annoy the neighbors by learning to play the saxophone, clarinet and cornet. In between times he sang in the church choir and for weddings and funerals. And besides that, organized an orchestra. In St. Louis he took a crack at vaudeville but hurried home where he knew he'd be appreciated. At this time Mildred Maund became his wife. Things were bad until a visiting orchestra, the Royal Peacocks, gave him a contract and took him on tour. He had various positions after that, finally ending up as master of ceremonies in a Pittsburgh theatre, where he remained for three years. Luck finally turned up in the form of a talent scout who offered him a screen test and a contract with Warners. In 1932 he made his first picture, "Blessed Event." Outside of film work his interests lie in music, flying, golf, swimming, horseback riding, bridge and football games. His hobbies are collecting musical instruments and making homemade movies. Dick is 6 feet tall, weighs 172 pounds, has blue eyes and auburn hair. He's no 56 Dick Powell Robert Taylor longer married to Mildred Maund — they were divorced shortly after iJick reached Hollywood — and now is seemingly interested in the Blondell girls, .Toan ajid sister Rose. "Shipmates Forever" and "Tlianks a Million" are his most recent films. His next will probably he "Glorious" with Marion Davies. You can reach him at the Warner Brothers Studios. Burl)ank, Cal. ROBERT TAYLOR — And now's for the low-down on tlie latest contender for male popularity honors. Son of the late Dr. S. A. Brough, Bob was born in Filley, Neb., but later moved to Beatrice, where he attended public school. Then to college at Doane, Neb., for two years, and finishing at Pomona. In the latter institution Bobby Brough was outstanding in dramatics and a star tennis player. Seen in a campus production of "Journey's End" by a studio scout. Bob was given a screen test and audition and promptly sent back to college. After completing his college course and earning his Liberal Arts degree, he was given anotlier test and signed to a contract. He immediatelj^ went into training at I\letro-Goldwyn-Mayer. which grooming has stood him in good stead. His favorite sports are tennis and horseback riding. He once accompanied his own songs with a cello for a period as a radio broadcast artist at Doane College, and is also an accomplished pianist. He owns a collie dog and his hobby is collecting different types and colors in sweaters. When it comes to black cats and ladders. Bob is just a bit superstitious, and he is a firm believer in hunches. His pet aversion is people who whistle. Six feet tall, li e weighs 165 l)ounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. There is no Mrs. Taylor at present, but Irene Hervey seems the most likely candidate for that title at the moment. "Three Live Ghosts" 9«_^3_isr^^ will be his next picture [^^N^^'w m '^'"^ '"^^ write him % K m Metro-Goldwyn ^ ■ Mayer Studios, Culver ^ GENE RAYMOND— This young man is certainly holding his own with the female fans. But why not? Raymond Guion is his real name and New York City his birthplace. Although born on August 13, 1908, Gene has been anything but unlucky. For one who is of French descent Gene looks more like the typical American male than many descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers. At the age of 5. young Raymond made his stage debut, was educated in New York public and private schools while occasionally taking parts in plays. From 3 922 to 1931 he appeared in a great many stage productions in important roles. His last play. "Young Sinners," was such a success that it ran from 1929 to 1931 and landed him a contract with Paramount, His first picture was opposite Nancy Carroll in "Personal Maid." After the expiration of his contract Gene took to free lancing, and made pictures for every major studio. Gene is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, has blue eyes and very blonde curly hair. He enjoys horseback riding, tennis and golf. His favorite delicacy is a thick juicy steak and he can prepare bacon and eggs expertly, lie spends his leisure days on the desert, plays the piano well and enjoys travel. So far Gene has seemed to be a confirmed bachelor, but some day he'll probably change his mind. Now under contract to RKO-Radio Studios. 780 Gower St., Hollywood, Calif., his next picture will be "Seven Keys to Baldpate," with three more tentatively scheduled for him. GEORGE RAFT— He is 5 feet 1 0 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds. His hair is black and seal smooth, his eyes light brown. Like Jimmy Ca„-._, , , ^ , Kitchen in New York (on 41st Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). September 27, 1904, was his birthdate and George Raft his real name, which is surprising for one of French. German and Italian descent. He attended Public School 169 and later St. Catherine's. After school and during vacations George worked as an electrician's helper for $4.00 a week, but that wasn't enough for him. At 15 he decided to enter the pugilist game as a bantamweight, and in the next 2 years fought 25 times, George Raft ;ney he was born in Hell's was knocked out 7 and quit the game after his last l>eating. Then came the baseball era, with Raft signing with the Springfield Club. His fielding was good but his batting bad. so he was dropped after 2 seasons. Baseball still remains his favorite sport and he likes to watch prize fights and the horses. Returning to New York, he became a professional gigolo at Churchill's where Rudolph Valentino held a like position. Rudy departed for the movies, later sending for Raft to be his double, l)ut died before Raft was able to take the job. But he was doing well in his own line, dancing at the best known places all over the country, sometimes hoofing with Walter Winchell. later in shows as Elsie Piker's partner. Then he introduced the Charleston to New York and later to London, becoming an international sensation and appearing in all the capitals of Europe. Then back to New York, night clubs and vaudeville, finally ending up in Hollywood for his first picture "Quick Millions." He is separated from his wife, and Virginia Pine still seems to be the "head woman." You really shouldn't have missed him in "She Couldn't Take it," his latest. His address is Paramount Studios, 5451 Marathon St., Hollywood, Cal. Either "Concertina" or "It Had to Happen" will be his next flicker. GINGER ROGERS— The Charleston did things for this gal, too. It was through her winning the Texas Charleston championship at the age of 15 that she olitained a vaudeville contract, sundry stage engagements and a featured role in "Top Speed" — all of which served as rungs to the ladder-top. Born Katherine Virginia McMath in Independence. Mo., on July 16, 1911, she later moved to Fort Worth, Tex., where she attended school. "Young Men of Manhattan" was her first picture, made in the East during the run of "Top Speed." Then came several other musicals, the last of which was "Girl Crazy" in which she was a tremendous hit Her first Hollywood picture. "The Tip Off," followed this in 1931. Ginger is 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has gold-red hair and blue eyes. Her hobby is dancing, she plays a fair game of tennis and is fond of riding, swimming and golf. She likes music and cooking and her favorite dish is ham and eggs. Edward Jackson Culpepper became her first husband when she was very young, and Lew Ayres her second on November 1 4, 1934. "Tn Person" with George Brent is Ginger's most recent opus and "Follow the Fleet," another Rogers-Astaire musical, is next. RKO-Radio Studios, 780 Gower St.. Los Angeles, Cal., is her home studio where you may write her, JEAN PARKER— This one started out in life in Deer Lodge, Mont., on August 11, 1915, as Mae Green. Her education was received in Los Angeles and Pasadena, where she attended high school. Getting into the movies for her was literally a bed of roses. Riding on a float in a Pasadena 'Tournament of Roses she was seen by a movie executive, tested, and assigned a role in "Divorce in the Family" in 1931. Just like that! Jean is interested in a number of things: interpretive dancing, acting, painting, music and writing. She speaks French fluently and likes to dance and swim. Her favorite color is jade green, which goes beautifully with her dark brown hair and blue-green eyes. Her friends call her Robin — and no wonder, for she is only 5 feet 3 and weighs a mere 105 pounds. The lucky girl recently had herself a trip to England where ^he played opposite Robert Donat in "The Ghost Goes West," which you will be seeing anon.^ Metro*GoldwynAlayer Studios. Culver City, Cal., claim her as their contract player. NELSON EDDY — You'll probably be glad to see ihis, if the number of requests for it are any criterion! And not to keep you in suspense any longer — Nelson and Jeanette MacDonald will be thrilling you again shortly in "Rose Marie." Are ya glad, huh? Providence, R. I., has the honor of claiming Nelson as its home town boy. Born there on June 29, 1901, the son of Isobel Kendrick and M^illiam Darius Eddy, both excellent singers. Educated in grammar school at Rhode Island Normal, the remainder of his education was obtained in night school and from correspondence courses. His early ambition was to be either a doctor or a trap drummer, but his first job was as a telephone operator. Following that he worked in the shipping department of an iron works, in the art department of a Philadelphia newspaper, and for five years was reporter, copy reader, etc.. Ginger Rogers