Motion Picture (Feb-Jul 1931)

The Answer Man The Answer Man has conducted this department for over nineteen years. He will answer your questions in these columns, as space permits, and the rest by personal letter. Give your name and address and enclose stamped addressed envelope for reply. Write to The Answer Man, MOTION PICTURE, 1501 Broadway, New York City jNt MARY LOU — Ramon ^^ Novarro's picture "The Singer of Wfl* &m Seville" was released as "Call of the \ ■ Flesh." The "King's Guard" of thirty k'K, stalwart six footers used by Lowell ?K*0&. Sherman in "The Royal Bed" was, in reality, a King's Guard, composed entirely of former English officers, none of whom was less tlian a major. One of these men, Frederick Coppins, is a holder of the British Victoria Cross, England's highest military award. He won it for routing 17 machine-gun nests and capturing 24 prisoners singlehanded. RENA R.— They aren't tenting tonight on the old camp ground — they're putting. Chester Morris was born in New York City, Feb. 16, 1902. His first leading stage role on Broadway was in a short-lived play called "Thunder." After appearing in another unsuccessful piece, he played in stock for two seasons in Mount Vernon and Providence, R. I. He returned to New York to do a play for Edgar Selwyn, "The Exciters," at the Times Square Theater. George M. Cohan sent him out on the road with the "So This Is London" company. Then came a season's work with his family in a one act playlet "All the Horrors of Home," written by his father. Later played in "The Home Towners," "Yellow," "Crime," "Whispering Friends," "The Copperhead" and "Turn To the Right." He is six feet tall, weighs 160 pounds, has brown hair, blue eyes, married to Suzanne Kilborn, they have two children, a son Brooks and a daughter who was born on Oct. 17, 1930. L. T. — Dorothy Jordan was born in Clarksville, Tenn., Aug. 9, 1910. Dorothy Mackaill, Hull, England, in 1903. She is five feet tall, weighs 114 pounds, has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Warner Baxter, Columbus, Ohio, Mar. 29, 1892, five feet eleven inches tall, 168 pounds, has brown hair and eyes. Married to Winifred Bryson. Alice White in Paterson, N. J., about twenty years ago, five feet two, about 100 pounds, has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her most recent picture released was "Sweethearts on Parade." LUPE VELEZ FAN— Business may have turned the corner all right, but it seems to have got into a blind alley. The studio grounds proper are known as "the Lot." A locale, is away from the studio used for making scenes. Lupe Velez was born in Mexico, July 18, 1909. She is five feet one, weighs 105 pounds, and has black hair and eyes. Real name Villalabos, she was a Wampas star of 1928. First picture "The Gaucho" was released in Nov. 1927. Her name is pronounced Lu-pay, Velez, Ve like the ve in veteran, Lez. Playing in "Resurrection," Universal Studios. M. B. P.— A Communist is the only fellow without money who spends his time in riotous living. Gwen Lee was born in Hastings, Nebr., Nov. 12, 1905. Educated at Brownell Hall, Omaha, a girl's finishing school. In 1919 she appeared in a dance revue on the Omaha stage, but that was her only stage experience previous to her screen debut. She later secured a position as a model. While taking part in a fashion show at a Los Angeles hotel, Director Bell saw and gave her a small part in "Ladv of the Night " which was released in Mar. 1925. She is five feet seven, weighs 135 pounds, has blonde hair, blue eyes, real name Le Pinski and her latest production is Inspiration." Raymond Hackett plaved the role of the brother in "Our Blushing Brides." IRENE RAE— Another thing this country needs is a good five-cent phone booth. Barry Norton was born in Buenos Aires, Argentine June 16, 1905. He is five feet eleven inches tall, has' black hair and dark brown eyes. Latest picture is "Dishonored," starring Marlene Dietrich and Victor McLaglen. Norman Kerry, who hasn't appeared on the screen for quite some time, is also in the cast John Wayne, Virginia Cherrill, Frank Albertson and gawd Rollins have the leading roles in "Neck and -Neck, Fox Studios. 86 HELEN CLARK— Dorothy Lee hails from Los Angeles, California, she has reddish brown hair and dark brown eyes. Married to James Fidler and her latest flicker is "Hook, Line and Sinker." Robert Woolsey was born in Oakland, Cal., Aug. 14, 1889, he is five feet five and a half, weighs 120 pounds, has brown hair and eyes, married to Mignone Reed. Richard Dix always selects his own cowboy or outof-door costumes, such as that he is now wearing in "Cimarron." A READER— How's Baltimore these days ? William Powell was born in Kansas City, Mo. Before achieving fame on the screen he was well known on the stage. He appeared in many dramatic productions on the New York stage and played for about four years in stock companies in Pittsburgh, Portland, Oregon, Buffalo, Northampton and Boston. He is six feet tall, weighs 178 pounds, has brown hair and blue eyes. Has a son William David, about five years old. Appearing in "Ladies Man," Paramount Studios. JEANNE — John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa, May 26, 1907. Educated in the George Washington Grammar School of Keokuk, Iowa, Lancaster Grammar school in Lancaster, Cal., later in Glendale High School and from there he entered University of Southern California in Los Angeles. In his freshman year he played football with the "Trojans" and was first string on the varsity team the following year as guard when he sustained a broken ankle in a game which kept him out for the entire season. In his junior year he left college, and secured a position as prop boy and it was while propping on "Born Reckless" that Raoul Walsh decided to give him the role of Breck Coleman in "The Big Trail." He is six feet two inches tall, weighs 198 pounds, has dark brown hair and gray eyes. After making a fewpersonal appearances he will play the leading male role in "Neck and Neck," Fox Studios. PEGGY— It's nice to spend the cold winter evenings in a nice, warm home, especiallv when the snow is beating against the windows and the radio is howling next door. Garv Cooper was born in Helena, Montana, May 7, 1901. Has brown hair and blue eyes. His full name is Frank J. Cooper. He attended the Grinnel College in Iowa. His ambition was to become a commercial artist. Worked for the Helena newspapers as a cartoonist. Plaved in pictures as an extra for a year before his big opportunity came. He is still a bachelor and is appearing in "Fighting Caravans." K. L. — Phillips Holmes is the son of Taylor Holmes of stage and screen fame. He was bom in Grand g Rapids, Mich., July 22, 1909. Has ^Hr^^H Dlond hair, blue eyes, and is an ■BwJHB American; he received his early education in Grand Rapids and then in New York, spent five years at Trinity College. England, and also in Paris, France. Entered Princeton a little over three years ago. It was there that Director Tuttle selected the exteriors for Buddv Rogers picture "Varsity." His first day on the campus he ran across Holmes, persuaded him to take a "screen test" and two days later cast him for a r61e in the production. LUCILLE— Your favorite Richard Dix was born in St. Paul, Minn., July 18, 1894. He is six feet tall, weighs 170 pounds, has brown hair and eyes. Real name is Ernest Brimmer and he's not married or engaged. Richard attended the University of Minnesota for a year, but left to take a position in a bank. He soon tired of this and tried his hand in an architect's office. While working there he attended an evening high school for dramatic actors, which led him to getting a job with a local stock company. Later in Los Angeles he became leading man for the Morosco Stock Company. First picture was "The Bonded Woman," starring Bettv Compson, and was released in 1922. H ROSE — Here's a new wow! Marlene Dietrich who resembles Greta Garbo and plays opposite Gary Cooper in "Morocco." You Garbo fans are bound to like her. Miss Dietrich was born in Berlin, Germany, two days after Christmas. Went to private school at Weimar where she studied violin, singing, and mastered French and English. Later she entered a musical comedy in Berlin to train for the concert stage. Also played the lead in three German films that were released in this country'. The most recent being "The Blue Angel" opposite Emil Jannings. Her second Paramount picture will be "Dishonored." Victor McLaglen, Norman Kerry, Barry Norton and Warner Oland also in the cast. She is five feet five inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, has naturally curly, red-gold hair and blue eyes. BOB STEELE FAN— Bob was born in Portland, Oregon, Jan. 23, 1906. As the son of Robert North Bradbury, for fifteen years associated with the production of pictures. Bob has been trained since childhood in the athletic outdoor activities which he finds so useful in the series of youth and adventure pictures in which he has been appearing. In addition. Bob has the blood of the stage in his veins, for both his father and mother were well-known on the legitimate stage when I a youngster. For two years, he occupied the position of life-guard along the Southern California beaches. His first picture was in a series of outdoor pictures called "The Adventures of Bob and Bill." H feet tall, with blue eyes and brown hair. His favorite hobbies are horseback, swimming and golf. a KAY E.— Norman Foster, the husband of Claudetie Colbert, plays opposite Clara Bow in "No Limit." Dixie Lee and Stuart Erwin also in the cast. Joan Crawford's next will be % ZWL. "Dance. Fools. Dance." Meiro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. Do you know that Stuart Holmes is a marvelous sculptor? Ford Sterling is an art photographer and circus d Francis X. Bushman is a breeder of Great Danes ? Carmel Myers is a lyrist and composer? Louis Wolheim and Paul Bern are college professors ? Well! it's true. HAZEL M. — Norma Shearer was born in Montreal, Canada, Aug. 10. 1904. five feet one. weighs 110 pounds, has brown hair and light blue eyes. Married to Irving Thalberg since > Son Irving. Jr.. was born on Aug. 24. 1930. Sh< English descent and her latest pic: -.gers May Kiss." Receives her fan mail at the MetrcGoldwyn-Mayer Studios, Culver You refer to Norma and Conrad Nagel in "The Waning Sex." Marion Davies was born in New Jan. 3, 1900. Yes, she Mont gomery, Beacon, N. Y.. May 21. 1»04. that's i name and he's married to Elizabeth Allen. C: Morris' latest production is "The Bat Una Merkel plays oppos A. E. YOUNG— Kay Francis made her debut in the theatrical world at the ase of sixteen as an author. She was a school girl then at the Cathedral School of St. Mary in Garden City, X. Y. In her scrap-book she has the program of the junior class "You Never Can Tell." Aul credited to Katherine Francis and Katherine Stewart. I: presented June 14. 1021. When she began her professional career, she shortened her first name to ' Kay. Kenneth MacKenna who plaved in "Th tuous Sin." starring Miss Fra: I alter Huston was born in Canterbury. N. H.. Aug 1899, he has light brown hair and blue e; LIBERTY— Lila Lee's real moniker is Gussie Appel. Billie Dove. Lillian Bo: Page, Pomares. Alice White. Alva White. Crawford, Lucille Le Sueur. V Lahiff. Sue Carol. Evelyn Lederi : \ Nicholas Pratza. Lupe Velez. Yillalabos. Ka\ F rancis. Katherine Francis. Firi Dorsay, Y Lussrer. Loretta \ oung. Gretchen Young. Mar' Mary Lynn K . D vie Lee. Wilma W A