Screenland (May-Oct 1931)

130 SCREEN LAND Irene looks more like a debutante than an actress. Her next picture will be "The Great Lover," opposite Adolphe Menjou. WHEN an actress gives a tea to the press, that's nothing. But when an actress' bosses give a tea for her — that's something ! A girl should know that when the company to whom she is under contract tenders her that kind of reception, it means stardom. And if Irene Dunne doesn't know it— we're telling her ! But getting an interview at one of these teas is about as hard as learning how to play the piccolo via the correspondence course. However, undaunted, we arrived un fashionably early determined to talk with Miss Dunne before the other scribblers arrived. We sat with Miss Dunne in a little room while she performed the last minute rites, such as powdering her tip-tilted nose, before facing her guests. I don't know whether this is going to be disillusioning or not — but Irene doesn't look any more like an actress than you, or you, or you ! She looks more like a debutante. Irene was dressed in a smart gray crepe frock with a touch of jade and a wide band of gray fox fur on the sleeves of her dress. She wore a smart gray turban with a jade clip and gray shoes and stockings. She isn't beautiful but she is charming. She looks intelligent and what's more she is! Irene's hair is blonde and her eyes are blue. Her startling success in "Cimarron" hasn't affected her unfavorably ; in fact, she wears the same head-size as she did when she played in road-show musical comedies, and she has both feet firmly on the ground. Before the tea had reached that glowy, chummy stage, whispers went the rounds that Miss Dunne is really Mrs. F. D. Griffin ; and that her husband, a doctor, was also one of the guests. By the process of elimination we dis DUNNE *(UCK But it isn't all luck— talent plays a large part in Irene Dunne's success By Evelyn Ballarine covered Dr. Dunne — er — Griffin. He remained in the background. He's a handsome man ! The Griffins have been married for three years and the marriage has been kept a secret for publicity reasons. It isn't considered good publicity for a screen heroine to have a husband. However, it isn't Irene's fault that you didn't know she was married, as she is very proud of her doctor husband. Irene entered pictures when the vogue for song and dance films was at its peak. She had (and still has) a lovely soprano voice and stage experience, having played in "Sweetheart Time," "Irene," "The Clinging Vine," and in the road company of "Show Boat." Radio Pictures signed her and Irene made her debut in "Leathernecking," but let's not go into that — it was a pretty bad picture. The only bright spot in the film was when Irene sang — and she sang only one song ! After that Irene sat and sat. waiting for a studio call for months, but nothing happened and she was discouraged. Then suddenly came the announcement that Miss Dunne was to have the coveted role of Sabra Cravat in "Cimarron." There was a wail of disappointment — many well known and established stars had taken tests for the part — and it was given to Irene Dunne, an unknown, and a musical comedy actress at that ! It was incredible — imagine a musical comedy actress playing a dramatic role ! It isn't necessary to go into a rave about Irene's acting in "Cimarron" — it's a well-known fact. Anyway, let's get back to the tea before it gets cold. Irene had sung over the radio the night before for the first time, and was a little worried about how she went over. (She needn't have been.) She had been seeing Broadway plays and was particularly impressed with Herbert Marshall's performance in "Tomorrow and Tomorrow." And she was quite thrilled because she was leaving for Honolulu the following day, for a vacation. We asked Miss Dunne if she liked pictures and she said. "Of course, I like playing in pictures, but the stage is my first love and always will be." So that's that. Miss Dunne is studying for the concert stage and is aiming at the Metropolitan Opera and it's our guess that she'll make it. However, it will be a long time before we lose Irene to the stage because Radio has her under a long term starring contract. And besides, she likes the talkies and the microphone likes her and the fans like her, so figure it out for yourself !