Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1931)

A SK THE A NSWER M AN WHAT A RACE! And the newcomers are on top. Jimmie Dunn, Miriam Hopkins, Leslie Howard and Minna Gombell, all from the stage, have given such fine performances in the talkies that the fans are writing in droves asking for information about them. This month it was a neck and neck race between these four stars. Jimmie Dunn, the lad who made such a hit in "Bad Girl," was born in New York City, Nov. 2, 1905. His father was a stock broker. After leaving school, Jimmie spent three years in his father's employ and then deserted him for the stage. His first engagement was in "Nightstick," which was later made into the movie "Alibi," with Chester Morris in the lead. Jimmie played in stock for some time and then in "Sweet Adeline" with Helen Morgan. His picture experience was confined to extra roles and a few bits in short subjects made in the New York studios. Fox gave him a contract in May of this year and rushed him out to the Coast for the lead in " Bad Girl." His hobby is collecting bright-colored neckties. Pastimes include golf, swimming and tennis. Hates to comb his hair. Is unmarried at this writing. Jimmie's next picture will be " Over the Hill." He recently finished work in "Sob Sister." Miriam Hopkins is slated for stardom. She is from the South — Savannah, Ga., to be exact. She was born Oct. 18, 1902. Has silver-blonde hair and gray-blue eyes. Appeared on the stage in "Little Jesse James," "The Home Towners," and "An American Tragedy," among other plays. She entered pictures in 1930, appearing in "Fast and Loose," "The Smiling Lieutenant" and "24 Hours." Her next will be "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in which she plays opposite Fredric March. She is separated from her husband, Austin Parker. Leslie Howard came to us via London, England, where he was born in April, 1893. His real name is Leslie Stainer and he is married and has two children. Leslie was a prominent stage actor before the talkies claimed him. He appeared with the late Jeanne Eagels in "Her Cardboard Lover," and in "Escape" and "Berkeley Square." He also authored and appeared in a play titled "Murray Hill." He entered pictures last year, appearing in "Outward Bound," which was followed by " Never the Twain Shall Meet," "A Free Soul," " Five and Ten," and his latest success, "Devotion." At this writing Leslie is in Read This Before As\ing Questions Avoid questions that call for unduly long answers, such as synopses of plays. Do not inquire concerning religion, scenario writing, or studio employment. Write on only one side of the paper. Sign your full name and address. If you want a personal reply, enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Casts and Addresses As these take up much space, we treat such subjects in a different way from other questions. For this kind of information, a stamped, self-addressed envelope must always be sent. Address all inquiries to Questions and Answers, Photoplay Magazine, 22i W 57th St., New York City. Europe enjoying a well-earned vacation. He has had offers to return and make more pictures, but he says that working in one picture after another is too strenuous. Minna Gombell made her movie debut in "Doctors' Wives." Then they made her voice instructor for the screen players who had had no stage experience. Back on the screen she clicked in "Bad Girl." Minna hails from Baltimore. She left school when she was about fifteen years old to go on the stage. Played very small parts at first. Later starred on Broadway in "Nancy's Private Affair," "The Great Power," and "Jimmie's Women." Her current picture is "Sob Sister." Minna likes to travel; admits she can sew and cook; is very superstitious. She is still single * * * Eleanor G. Gregory, Tabor, Iowa. — Yes, Eleanor, the Four Marxes are really brothers. Some years ago they were touring the country as the "Four Nightingales." Their act was a musical one, all of them being masters of numerous instruments. Their program then consisted of compositions by Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart and Bach. During one of their recitals they started to cut-up and they have been at it ever since. Harpo can talk, although he does only pantomime on the stage and screen. Perhaps that's so he won't have to memorize lines. How about it, Harpo? "Monkey Business" is the Marx Brothers' latest laugh-film. Betty Taylor, Jackson, Mich. — That li'l picture thief, Mitzi Green, was born Oct. 22, 1920, in Flushing, Long Island. She has chestnut hair and light brown eyes. She is learning her Three R's from teachers at the Paramount Studios. They say she is thai smart. Evelyn Hamilton, Rogers, Ark. — Evelyn, the song that Claudette Colbert taught Miriam Hopkins in "The Smiling Lieutenant" was called "Jazz Up Your Lingerie." Am I blushing ! Barbara Lyon, Yonkers, N. Y. — Did you know that you are tagged with the same name as the new daughter at the Bebe Daniels-Ben Lyon mansion? She is Barbara, too. Frank Albertson is married to Virginia Shelly, and David Manners' missus is Suzanne Bushnell. Dorothy Jordan is going places with Donald Dillaway, the young chap she married in "Min and Bill." Maybe they intend to make it the real thing now. Ruth Dixon, Chicago, III. — No, Ruthie, you haven't discovered a newcomer. The young lady you saw in " The Good Bad Girl " was Mae Clarke and she has been in pictures since 1929. Mae was born in Philadelphia, Aug. 16, 1910. She is 5 feet, 4; weighs 112 and has light hair and brown eyes. She is divorced from Lew Brice, brother of the famous Fanny. Mae's latest picture is "Waterloo Bridge." Virginia Halle well, Belle vtje, Penna.— The little picture you sent me was a shot taken during the filming of "A Woman of Affairs." The two ladies appearing before the cameras were Greta Garbo and Dorothy Sebastian. Imagine you not recognizing Greta! Evelyn Hallock, Riverhead, L. I. — The title of this ditty should be "Aliases of an Actress." In her short life of eighteen years Marian Marsh has had three names. She was christened Violet Krauth. When she broke into pictures early in 1930 she took the name of Marilyn Morgan and appeared in a small role in "Whoopee." When John Barrymore selected her for Trilby in "Svengali," Warners thought her name sounded too much like Marilyn Miller's so they changed it to Marian Marsh. Probably some young man will come along some day and convince her that she should change her name to his. Ah me! M. C. T., Washington, D. C— Kent Douglass was born in Los Angeles, Oct. 29, 1908. He is 6 feet tall and has blond hair and hazel eyes. His real name is Robert Douglass [ please turn to page 112 ] She taught them to speak Movies are too strenuous She's slated for stardom He was the hit of "Bad Girl" 88