The Chalk Garden (Universal Pictures) (1964)

Deborah Kerr Succeeds In Separating Screen Roles From Personal Activities (Advance) A beautiful woman who can also act, and an outstanding actress who just happens to be beautiful. Deborah Kerr easily fits both descriptions, as well as being one of the most acclaimed and respected stars of the stage and motion picture world. But Deborah Kerr has a split personality. To her fans she is Deborah, the actress. To her family, another Deborah, the relaxed wife and mother. So far, she has successfully managed to keep both sides of herself distinct and separate. It has been a conscious choice dictated by a strong inclination to keep her family life private. As her fans never see the family side of Deborah Kerr’s life, so it is, also, that her family rarely sees her working. However, her two daughters, Melanie and Francesca, recently watched their mother acting in a highly emotional scene with Edith Evans and Hayley Mills for her latest film, the Ross Hunter Production of ‘The Chalk Garden,” a Universal release in Technicolor CORMAN Ps ecee es bene Sele Ths CA art tosthe hi see See Theatre. It was one of the few occasions on which Deborah had relaxed her strict rule. “I prefer the children not to watch,” says Deborah. “I tend to become the person I am playing and act like her all day. I can only throw the character off when I go home in the evening. “It’s pretty disturbing for the children to see me as a hysterical ex-convict. And it’s equally dis tubing for me to climb out of the characterization between scenes to chat with them.” While on set, Deborah is her actress self to the core, completely devoted to her craft and intent on doing the best job she is capable of doing. It is only when she leaves the film studio that she assumes her other identity, Mrs. Peter Viertel, and with it, the chance to lead a normal life with her husband and three children. Since her marriage to screen writer Peter Viertel, Deborah has made her home, between films, in the mountain village of Klosters, Switzerland. “It’s a wonderful retreat,” she says. ‘Clean air, good living and just enough solitude to allow Peter to write in peace.” In addition to her housekeeping duties, Deborah enjoys playing the piano and listening to music. Beethoven is her favorite composer. She loves going to plays, films and the ballet and dabbles in oil painting, “although I’m not very good.” Her favorite colors are all shades of blue, every shade of pink except salmon. In “The Chalk Garden,” she costars with Hayley Mills, John Mills and Dame Edith Evans. John Mills And Daughter Hayley Together Again In Dramatic “Chalk Garden” (Current) The favorite subject of most actors is invariably themselves, not necessarily because of a bloated ego but simply because actors are hardly ever asked to discourse on any thing else. John Mills is an exception. For the second time in his career, he,is starring with his daughter Hayley in a film, the Ross Hunter Technicolor production of ‘The Chalk Garden,” now at the............ Theatre, and like any proud parent, his favorite subject in his talented daughter. The first time the two worked together was five years ago when Hayley was a wide-eyed 12-year-old making her film debut. Since then Hayley has appeared in five films and has collected enough awards, including a special Oscar, to furnish a trophy room, enough fans to staff several armies, enough money to live comfortably without working the rest of her life and enough praise to turn her pretty golden head back to front. During the same five years, John Mills was equally as busy. He starred in “Swiss Family Robinson,” the award-winning “Tunes of Glory,” “Tiara Tahiti,” as well as appearing in the Broadway hit run of “Ross.” But this is about par for the actor who has been a top boxoffice star in his 30-year career, that includes over 70 films. The intervening years since the two famous Mills worked together has seen a great change in Hayley from an eager youngster to an accomplished and knowing actress on the verge of adulthood. John Mills, watching Hayley play an emotional scene opposite costars Deborah Kerr and Edith Evans, was impressed by his talented daughter. “Five years ago film making was a game to Hayley. She knew nothing about camera angles, characterization, schedules, set lighting, make-up or film executives,” says John. “Now she’s got them all taped, the producer of ‘Chalk Garden,’ Ross Hunter, and myself included.” When Hayley and John first made “Tiger Bay” she was a twelve-year-old tomboy. Her hair was cut short with straight ary who had lost his own family finely etches the characterization in the dramatic Universal release in Technicolor, ‘“‘The Chalk Gar den.” (Still No. 1933—P. 71) bangs. Now, at seventeen, Hayley has let her hair grow and is an appealing young woman with a sharp eye for clothes and good grooming. Hayley Mills Loves Life On Family Farm (Current) There is only one place in the world really close to Hayley Mills’ heart. That is the family farm at Cowden, England, where the family has lived for nearly ten years. This was revealed during the filming in Technicolor of Universal’s “The Chalk Garden,” in which Hayley co-stars with Deborah Kerr, her father, John Mills, and Edith Evans. A highly dramatic story of a teenager and her governess, the picture is showing at the.......00........ Theatre. THE CHALK BA Deborah Kerr is Madrigal whose strange past is mirrored in her present suroundings in Universal’s highly dramatic film in Technicolor, ‘““The Chalk Garden.” (Still No. 1933—P. 62) Deborah Kerr Wears Fashionable Clothes (Advance) Deborah Kerr is tired of being a period piece. The beautiful, British-born star longs to put aside the old-fashioned clothes, drawn looks, tousled hair and noble, long-suffering calm that have characterized many of her past roles. “I want to join the 20th Century,” she says, ‘‘and wear smart, sophisticated clothes. I’d like to be ahead of fashion for once, instead of always bringing up the rear guard.” Deborah has part of her wish come true in her latest film, the Ross Hunter production of ‘“‘The Chalk Garden,” a Universal re Starring with Hayley Mills, John Mills and Edith Evans, Deborah is appearing in a contemporary story that gives her a chance to wear clothes that are fashionable, yet suit the character she plays. Ross Hunter productions are known for their glossy sophistication and in “The Chalk Garden” attempts to combine his acknowledged flair for the glamor with a venture into one of the theatre classics of modern day. “I feel like a human being again,” Says Deborah. ‘‘The character I play is a compellingly dramatic one, but I don’t have to look drab to play it. For a change, my hair stays in place and my costumes, although simple, are chic.” Teenage Star Takes Share Of Responsibilities As Part Of Process Of Growing Up (Advance) Growing up means taking on responsibilties, and according to director Ronald Neame, that’s exactly what 17-year-old star Hayley Mills has done. Neame, whose latest film is the Ross Hunter production “The Chalk Garden” starring Deborah Kerr, John Mills, Edith Evans and Hayley, watched the great change in her attitude towards work as the film progressed. “Hayley had to pitch in like everyone else,’ says Neame. ‘No concessions were made for her age by the other actors, myself or the producer. Before, Hayley made films as if they were a game. Now, there is a growing feeling of responsibility as she realizes that a lot of people depend upon her and she must work to earn the money she is being paid.” Not that Hayley has ever been a slacker. But this film above all, impressed upon her that acting is work, work and more work. “T never used to act really,” says Hayley. “I just took my gum out of my mouth and did whatever I was told. With this part it was. different. I’ve really had to think about it and get under the skin of the character I’m playing.” Her seventh major film, Hayley believes “The Chalk Garden,” in which she plays a mixed-up adolescent, is a turning point in her career. Released by Universal in Technicolor, it. COMES: -#--2-5-.7---.4 “Tt’s the first film in which I played someone other than myself and I wanted it to be good.” To illustrate her new found enthusiasm and pride in her work, Hayley likes to tell this story on herself. One day on the set she overheard Ronald Neame talking to producer Ross Hunter. As she listened to his words, Hayley beamed with pride. “What I love about her,’”’ Neame was saying, “is that she is an object lesson for any young actress; she’s full of enthusiasm, has a great zest for living, real interest in everything and anything, and is so professional in her work.” Hunter suddenly caught sight of the teen-age star and called her over. “Come and join us, Hayley,” he called, ‘‘we were just discussing Edith Evans.” The deflation made Hayley realize just how much hard, concentrated work it takes to make a great actress. Miss Evans, who 17-Year-Old Hayley Mills Describes Qualities She Wants In Hushand-To-Be (Current) Go East, young man, go East! a ‘ That’s certainly not Horace Greeley’s opinion, but it’s the advice you'll take if you are looking for a wife who has long golden hair, a lovely figure, big blue eyes and a warm smile. The young lady in question also speaks French and can cook. You're catching the next plane? Then you should know that this highly desirable soul-mate lives in England and that she is a movie star. The gal in question, and ideally filling the bill as someone’s dreain bride, is Hayley Mills, 17-yearsold. Hayley currently can be seen at Lhe eset tants Pores Theatre in her first adult role in Universal’s “The Chalk Garden,’ in Technicolor, and the former child star looks very grown up indeed. She wears figure fitting gowns, tight skirts and sweaters. She has her hair piled atop her head and can give a highly convicing imitation of a sex kitten. Hayley’s current interests are boys, pop music, dancing, watching movies and reading love poems. And, for the interested, Hayley advises that she has not yet met the man she will marry. “I know a lot of boys,” she says wistfully, ‘but that’s all they are —hboys. I’d like to meet someone Page 3 who has traveled and knows a little bit about the world.” According to the glamorous star, her ideal man has the good looks and singing voice of Elvis Presley, the speaking voice of Sir Laurence Olivier and the ruggedness of Robert Mitchum. He also has to have the consideration and good manners of her father. Hayley’s father is the eminent British actor John Mills, who is currently co-starring with his famous daughter in “‘The Chalk Garden.”’ But before anyone catches that plane to London, there are a few more things an aspiring suitor should know about Miss Mills. “My future husband will be able to ride like a cowboy, swim like an Olympic champion and dance like Fred Astaire,” says Hayley with a far away dreamy look in her eyes. Then there is another drawback. Hayley is convinced that she will stay single until she’s 25. Hayley Mills has her first dramatic acting role in her career which began five years before as the spoiled, highly imaginative teenager in “The Chalk Garden,” a Universal release in Technicolor. (Still No. 1933—84) is 75 years young, is an object lesson to any young actress in her devotion to her craft and her continuing interest and enthusiasm for life around her. Star Edith Evans, 75, Wants To Play In Western Movie (Current) One of the world’s most revered and honored actresses recently revealed her secret acting goal— to do a Western. And 75-year-old Miss Evans, CULLCHIL ly cat tbh cise he eee eee Theatre, starring with Deborah Kerr, Hayley Mills and John Mills in the Universal release in Technicolor, ‘“‘The Chalk Garden,’ her eleventh non-western film role, believes she has all the proper qualifications. Miss Evans learned to ride sidesaddle in the days when it was considered ill-bred for a young lady to sit astride a horse, and is equally at home in long sleeves and hobble skirts, which she has worn for countless stage appearances. “T’ve got all the prerequisites,” she declared, “now I only need a producer willing to take a chance on me.” Miss Evans probably faces her toughest fight of her 60-year theatrical career with her decision to appear in a Western. “Tm fighting that old Hollywood bugaboo, type casting,’’ she smiles. ‘I’ve evidently been acting in mansions and drawing rooms so much I can’t convince anyone they should let me loose on the range.” In the dramatic climax to a highly emotional story, Deborah Kerr and Hayley Mills say goodbye, as Hayley waits to return to her own mother in Universal’s “The Chalk Garden,” photogranhed in Technicolor. (Still No. 1933-48 )