Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1944)

Don't Mention It! ( Continued from page 43) next Andy Hardy picture you will see the recorded height measurements of Mickey (Andy) Rooney. “We measured Mickey in one of the early Andy Hardy’s,” Stone said recently. “The boy is probably an inch taller than he was six years ago but no more.” Mickey jokes about his size at times — (but don’t let this fool you. He’d give plenty for an additional foot. CRANK SINATRA, that super-duper *swoonercrooner, dislikes being on the short side even more, if possible, than Mickey. Some time ago, on the set of “Manhattan Serenade” tiny Gloria De Haven appeared wearing a very cute but very high hat. Frankie took one look. He couldn’t, he told the director, do the scene unless Gloria changed her headgear. “Why?” asked the director. “Because it would make me look so small!” said Frankie, with that directness which is part of his charm. The director hesitated. Frankie didn’t. He walked off the set and waited until Gloria changed to something flatter and, for Frankie, more flattering. Gloria, no doubt, owes much of her good fortune to the fact that she is as tiny as she is . . . otherwise she might not have gotten her role with Frankie or find herself so often in Mickey’s company or thoughts. Mickey and Frankie aren’t alone in being sensitive about physical shortcomings. There’s Errol Flynn, who doesn’t laugh at any jokes about his 4F classification. Seven times Errol has been examined and turned down. It wasn’t funny to him even the first time. There are also all the gentlemen — Boyer, Benny, Crosby, Astaire and Aherne — who perspire under toupees because their manly tresses aren’t what they used to be. Otherwise their shiny pates do not trouble them. They never wear their toupees in public and are all quite casual about the whole thing, with the exception of one — ■ you guess which one — who gives you the frozen treatment if you refer to his increasingly tall forehead by word or look. We’ll give you one clue regarding this gentleman ... he isn’t Charles Boyer. Charles accepts his thinning locks with a Continental nonchalance. He is forty-five, he says, and must expect such things. The subject upon which Charles is really sensitive is fresh air. He detests it and sleeps with his bedroom windows tightly closed. Which reminds us of the famous actor, now in the Army, who enjoyed his spot as Hollywood’s number one wearer of false teeth. He used to bring out his dentures and flourish them just for the fun of seeing the astonished look on any new faces. His phony molars haven’t hampered his heroism, incidentally. Claudette Colbert’s sinuses are her sore spot. (Pun intended!) Not because Claudette is loathe to have anyone know she isn’t one hundred percent vim and vigor. Because of her husband. Claudette, you know, is married to Doctor Joel Pressman, distinguished nose and throat specialist. She’s afraid it might be considered a reflection upon his ability that she has, for years, suffered with the prevalent California brand of sinus trouble. Also, unless you’re equipped with adequate armor to risk this weak spot in Bette Davis’s armor — don’t mention the name of Willie Wyler. Wyler, now a colonel in the Army, directed Bette in some of her biggest successes, among them “The Little Foxes.” It was after this picture, you may remember, that Wyler gave out with a sizzling interview in which he called Bette every temperamental So-and-So in the world and insisted he wouldn’t direct her [ tionally known entertainer »d star oi the movies, says «I don’t know , I would do * I A”id De Wk cream s a ! marvelous If Saver-1 ha* W to use dress W since I’ve st ise Arrid. ,As a deodorant, just perfect and nice to aPP thoroughly effect woman and ^ every man too, Arrid.” „ NEW • ••a CREAM DEODORANT which Safely helps STOP under-arm PERSPI RATION 1. Does not irritate skin. Does not rot dresses and men’s shirts. 2. Prevents under-arm odor. Helps stop perspiration safely. 3. A pure, white, antiseptic, stainless vanishing cream. 4. No waiting to dry. Can be used right after shaving. 5. Arrid has been awarded the Approval Seal of the American Institute of Laundering for being harmless to fabric. Use Arrid regularly. 39* a jar (Also in 100 and 590 jars) At any store which sells toilet goods ARRID THE LARGEST SELLING DEODORANT