Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1939)

>V tf ^> v i 1 Xs Affair" (in which he co-starred with Irene Dunne) is his first Hollywood picture to receive wholehearted acclaim in his native France. Since Boyer played a very persistent lover in the picture and since he very much wants his native country to approve his work here, we can imagine the title of "The Sexiest Actor on the Screen" might not be too unwelcome under the circumstances. Incidentally, how do you feel about the Boyer sex title? Ambition's Daughter THIS is a story of burning ambition, of sacrifice, of heartbreak . . . And, yes, a story of Hollywood. Its heroine is a beautiful Italian girl who, since she was a child, dreamed of being an actress . . . Dreamed it not so much because of the plaudits such a career would bring, but because it would afford opportunity for expression of the beauty that welled in her heart when she beheld the red sunset, or walked in a color-bright garden, or stood before the magnificent handiwork of the great Italian sculptors in the Palazzo Brera in her native Milano. It is Isa Miranda's story. An Italian film director found her, one day, gazing in rapture at a Diana in the Palazzo. To him she seemed a Diana, too; erect, free, proud and lovely. "I will make you a star," he said. He kept his word and her beauty was proclaimed throughout Europe. "The most glamorous woman in the world," the press described her. And the poet, d'Annunzio, wrote of her: "Oh my Life! Never has desire been greater. I saw all the stars setting in your hair. They descended into impenetrable shadows, where lips cannot reach!" Inevitably, from the suitors who laid siege to her heart, she chose one to adore. But even then, career was first. She would not give it up. And when came the opportunity to journey to Hollywood, to the heart's desire of every ambition-ridden soul— she renounced love and went her way. She arrived in Hollywood in 1937 and went to work, first to learn English, then to learn the ways of American pictures. The going was hard. She knew no one. It was a busy new world in which she found herself. Oftentimes, the only persons she could find to converse with her in the language she sought to master, were the tradespeople who came to her door. At last she was given a role in Paramount's "Zaza." But they found she wouldn't do. Various rumors gave various reasons. Isa Miranda said nothing. She merely went back to her study of English. She was given another role — this time in "Hotel Imperial." They made the picture. It was previewed. . . . The next day, three lines appeared in a certain review. "Isa Miranda also plays a role. She came from Italy. She might as well have stayed there." These lines expressed the consensus of critical opinion. Isa Miranda had given up much for the sake of career, but she "might as well have stayed at home." But the fight is not over yet, she says. She says she will keep on fighting. She has taken out citizenship papers. She has cast her lot with American pictures. She will not give up. She can't, she says. Well, it occurs to us that determination is a pretty good means of ensnaring success — just by itself. Maybe, in the case of Isa Miranda, it will be good enough. Anyway, we'll bet she will do just as she promises — keep on trying until, as she puts it, "theese Hades, eet freezes on top!" And more power to her! Oomph Man WHEN the news was broadcast that Charles Boyer had been chosen by a certain group of the Hollywood press as the sexiest actor on the screen, we wondered just what the reaction might be in the Boyer household. We translated that wonder into knowledge, by simply up and asking lovely Pat Paterson, wife of the French star, how her husband of five years felt about it. The news hadn't reached their hilltop home. "I can imagine how he will feel about it," said Mrs. Boyer, "for I do know he wants to be known, first of all, as a good actor. Not just a certain type actor, but a good actor." And then we learned another thing. "Love That'll Teach Him! I HEY stood together in the small, automatic elevator in the front-office building of M-G-M studios — Harpo Marx and a shabby young lady in an large outmoded felt hat. As the elevator slowly rose, the deviltry in Harpo's soul did likewise. Given to no repressed inhibitions, Harpo finally reached over and pulled off the girl's hat. "Come on, let's see your face," he grinned. "I might know you." He was greeted with a stare so icy, it almost froze the funnyman into an igloo. The woman who stood alone with him in the elevator was Garbo. Garbo and Harpo remained silent throughout the rest of the journey. Bringin' Home the Pumpkin I HE funniest story of the month concerns handsome Walter Pidgeon and his houseboy. Walter had tried for weeks to explain to the boy just how he liked his pumpkin pies made, but somehow, despite all his powers of description, they always came out apple dumplings. Finally, Walter carted home a piece of his favorite pie from the M-G-M commissary to show the boy. "Now, eat it," Walter said, "and see how it should taste." The next morning, the Filipino gingerly handed Mr. Pidgeon twenty-five cents. "This from house money," he explained. "I think better you just bring whole pie home. Then we can both have a piece." The sight of Pidgeon lugging home his weekly pie is just one of those Hollywood things. Sister Act I HE Lane Sisters are nothing if not loyal. A few weeks ago, a burglar invaded the San Fernando Valley home of Priscilla and Rosemary and stole all of their jewelry, including a string of pearls belonging to each. Considerable publicity resulted from the theft. Not long after the robbery, Pat was guest (Continued on page 66) 52