Modern Screen (Dec 1931 - Nov 1932 (assorted issues))

I (Left) "Grand Hotel" had the most impressive opening that New York has seen in many an evening. Every famous person in the city was there. (Below) The author of "Grand Hotel," Vicki Baum, with Leslie Howard at a luncheon. Have you read her opinion of "Grand Hotel" on page 36? Wish we had a candid camera shot of Rus reaching into his pocket and finding his wallet not there ! MRS. RONALD BURL A (Una Merkel) gave a dinner party in honor of the recent-weds, Greta Nissen and Weldon Heyburn. Among those present was John Arledge. Young Arledge was supposed to have been that way about Una before her marriage. Now they're just good friends. Happy ending for a love triangle. A few weeks ago the circus was in town. The big hit of the evening came as Tom Mix crossed the ring to get to his seat. Tom got a bigger hand for his mere presence than any of the circus acts. ANNA STEN, the Rusl sian actress and exballet dancer whom Goldwyn has imported to do "The Way of a Lancer" with Ronald Colman, is another of the Goldwyn contingent of foreign players. On the screen she is low voiced and voluptuous, a gypsy who suggests the Negri of "Passion." In person, La Sten is naive and ingenuous as a child, with enormous slanting grey eyes, a tiny face with the high Tartar cheek bones, and a way of. saying "no" with overtones that suggests another Hollywood star. Rumor has it that she learned French in a few weeks to make a French version of "The Brothers Karamazov," and that she has already learned to memorize and pronounce English — though she doesn't understand what she is saying yet — and that in two weeks or a little more, she will be ready, without accent, to do her first American film. When Ina Claire sailed to New York recently from the Continent, she used the name of Mrs. John Gilbert! "Horsefeathers," the new Marx Bros, opus, was postponed when Chico cracked up in an auto accident and had to sojourn in the hospital. 16 Acme So the director took a European vacation; Groucho took to polo ; Harpo went to the beach — and Zeppo picked up some extra change from a radio broadcast. In fact, everyone is having a swell time — except Chico. Says he's going to try eating worms. CAN'T help mentioning how perfectly gorgeous Dolores Costello looked at the recent preview of friend husband's new picture, "State's Attorney." Dolores wore a dark green hat fashioned along lines that would make you and me look like a mugwump or something. But she was radiantly beautiful. After old man stork pays his second visit to the Barrymore menage very shortly, perhaps Dolores will try the flickers again. All that beauty shouldn't be spent on housewifery. Even if the man of the house is John Barrymore. Dolores smiled sweetly while John signed autographs for a miniature army of youngsters. WHEN Jean Harlow arrived from New York there were several photographers on hand to pictorially record the event. An old friend of Jean's (male) stepped up to the platform and planted a welcoming kiss on the Harlow lips. One of the photographers up and asked Jean what the name of the lucky gent is. "Joe Zilch," the screen's blond menace seriously replied. "Mr. Zilch sells toy balloons and wooden birds to circuses and side shows. I've known him for years." "Thank you very much," replied the photographing gent, very much impressed, as he bowed his way out of the Harlow presence. The latest on Clara Bow is that she'll do "Call Her Savage" for Fox studio. A swell story, say We, for the little redhead's special talents. Just who is that boy friend whom Jean Harlow presented as "Joe Zilch"? There's another rumor aboutClaraBow'scome-back