Picturegoer (Jan-Apr 1935)

Januar/ 19. 1935 Icinema, which was then Hearing completion. The idea of getting them to leave a permanent record of their visit — and fame — was the inspiration of the moment. Since then all the front-raak stars have "made their marks." I have said all. That is not quite correct. Garbo has been approached frequently, but to date visitors to the Grauman forecourt have yet to see the imprint of the world's most famous tootsies. To Star in Pickford Stories ? The future of Shirley, incidentally, is giving the Fox executives food for thought at the moment. Wisely anticipating that the novelty will wear ofi in time, the studio is concentrating on finding stories with wide entertainment appeal that will not be entirely dependent on the personality of the youngster. In her next. The Little Colonel, for instance, she is surrounded by a strong cast headed by Lionel Barrymore and Evelyn Venable, while the novel from which the film is being adapted has readymade credentials. There is some possibility, I understand, that Shirley will remake some of Mary Pickford's silent successes. PICTUREGOER Weekly Chaplin to Direct Charlie Chaplin contrives to keep in the news now that "Production Number Five" is under weigh. The latest report to reach us from the little man's studio is that he is going ahead with plans to produce and direct a feature, under the title of Personal Reasons, starring Panlette Goddard. The new film, it is understood, will go into production soon as Charlie has finished his longddayed comedy. He now has a writer developing a treatment of his original story. The announcement comes as good news to those of ns who have long held the opinion that Chaplin should find an outlet for his more "arty" aspirations in direction rather than in his clown characterisation. Donat-conscious If one may venture on yet another prc^ihecy for 1935 at this comparatively late date it is that Robert Donat will shortly join Leslie Howard, Charles Langhton, Herbert &IarshaII and Konald Colman among the English actors to be elected international screen celebrities by HoUjrwood. The Warner Studio, which has been quietly but steadily raiding the ranks of our male players, has signed him up and is embarking on an ambitious programme to build him up as a firstmagnitude star. His first film for the studio will be Captain Blood, the spectacular Sabatini sUyry that was last seen on the screen in 1924. He is also scheduled to star in Peter Ibbetson, and after that may do British Agent, which has previously been widely mentioned as a vehicle for Leslie Howard, to whom Donat is already being hailed as a dangerous rival. How to Pronounce It Few British actors have started their Hollywood careers with less ballyhoo than Robert Donat. When, after he had returned to England, The Count of Monte Crista was previewed half the fibn colony had never heard of him and were unaware that he had been working in the film capital. Donat came to London from Manchester five 01 six years ago to earn a living on the stage. He was nineteen and he had £^ in his pocket. By the time it had dwindled to two diillings he managed to get a job with Sir Frank Benson, eventually rising from assistant manager to leading parts. Thereafter he learnt his job thoroughly in repertory and stock. Ramon Novarro vrill soon be hack on our screens in " The Night is Young." Here he is in a sctiu with Edward Everett Hortan. The Broken Melody I'U Fix It Betty P. Turner, 243 Malpas Road, Brockley, for: Marrying Widows Such Women are Dangerous recently showing at a Sydenham theatre. Kinema couplets should be submitted on a post card and addressed to me c/o Picturegobr, 93 L<Hig Acre, W^.C.2. Envelopes cannot be opened. There is no need for winners to send in claims; prize money will be forwarded in due course. Holfytoood reunion. Carol Coombe, the British star, greets her mother. Lady Coombe, between sequences of her neto film, " Straight from the Heart." Hollywood still has some difficulty with his name, which is actually pronounced "Doan-at." Studio workers on his last visit called him everything from "Do-nat" to "Do-not," finally simplifying it to " Doughnut." llie star often overheard himself referred to by that name, but never let on that he did. At the end of the picture the working crew was surprised SHort SlwtS to receive a huge box filled with freshly baked doughnuts. A note said : " To my friends — I hope I'm as good at acting as these are eating." Poor Marlene ! Poor Marlene always seems to be in trouble. Through the work of an imaginative script writer, a special attendant had to be called in to protect the Dietrich in opening scenes of her new starring film. Carnival in Spain. A particularly obnoxious duck Wcts made Marlene's leading man for the first day, because of its charming penchant for biting buttons off coats and snapping at any arms and legs within reach. A most cMnicable bird . . . In half an hour it had chewed off most of Marlene Dietrich's elaborate Andalusian costume; nipped Lionel Atwill in most unexpected places at most unexpected times; ruined 40 ft. of film by quacking in the wrong place, and knocked over a lamp costing about £50. Production was held up for over a day while the studio searched for someone who knew something about duck-controlling ! Kinema Couplets This week's first prize of los. 6d. is awarded to J.J. Smith. Church Cottage. Mtmk Hesleden. West Hartlepool. Co. Durham, for : If I Were Free No More Vfonuaa Prizes of half a crown each are awarded to the following : — Mrs. Hepworth. 6 Eldon Grove, Granville Street, Hnll. for: Radio Parade of 1«35 Great Expectations Mrs. A. Barber, 15 Temperance Street. Swinton. Mexboro, Yorks, for : The Secret of the Loch Seeing Is Believing A. Moran. 1 1 NcMth Street, Paisley, Scotland, for : Charles Laughton is to co-star with Fredric March in the Hollywood version of Les Miserables. — Joan Crawford has signed a new ctmtract with M.-G.-M.; the news recalls the fact that in seven years she has never made a picture for any other studio. — Same company is negotiating with Wynne Gibscm with a view of building her up into a stellar personality. — ^Darryl Zanuck has signed Lawrence Tibbett. — Fox is to re-make Ramona. — Gladys Swarthout, mezzo-st^ranoof the Metr<^M>litan Opera Company, is the latest opera star to "do a Grace Moore "; she is booked for Paramount. — William POwell is being mentiooed for the role of Sidney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities. — Katharine Hepburn is to star in Quality Street, last filmed in 1928 with Marion Davies in the lead. — Jack Oakie w<He the same tramp costume in College Rhythm that he wore in Close Harmony five years ago; it has been in the studio wardrobe all that time. — Kasha Le Snenr. sister-in-law of Joan Crawford, is trying her hand at acting. MALCOLM D. PHILLIPS. 7