Screenland (Nov 1931-Mar 1932)

\ f or January 1932 129 Marian Marsh, John Barrymore's petite leading lady, is almost always accompanied by brother Eddie Morgan, especially when they go on jaunts to Palm Springs. Marian is 17 and big sister Jean intends that she shall be properly chaperoned. Meet the gentleman who introduced Mary to Doug. The name is De Witt Jennings, and it happened in Toronto in the long ago. De Witt was playing in the stock company show, called "The Little Red School House," and a most appealing little blonde girl named Gladys Smith was in the cast. It was her very first play and she was anxious about her lines. Doug Fairbanks, a featured juvenile, happened to town and went with De Witt to see the settings he was bragging on. Gladys was playing around on the stage, so De Witt introduced them. Doug patted her head kindly and told her he hoped she'd grow up to be a great actress. Later she not only fulfilled his hope as Alary Pickford, but also became Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks. Ever tried to read and digest three books a day? That is what E. H. Griffith is doing just now, in the hunt for a story to equal "Rebound" and "Holiday." Well, he knows that any story which falls below the high quality of these two, will impair his now precious standing. Once in a way the daughter of a studio executive gets a break. You'd be surprised I how often these young ladies, while receiving handsome educations and all the advantages of wealth, nevertheless have to be satisfied with social background. But Sonya Schulberg, daughter of B. P. of Paramount, has just returned from a tour of Europe in which she was officially an Envoy of Friendship. In this guise she met the Prince of Wales, Lady Astor, i President Hoover, President of France, General Pershing, et al. and had a glorious time. She says the Prince of Wrales is a darling and "doesn't act or look like a prince" — meaning, doubtless, like a film prince. Sessue Hayakawa tells us that "The Sheik" was originally bought for him but that he left the company to be an independent producer, so that Rudolph Valentino got the part — and became the superstar. Will Rogers calls Fifi Dorsay "Frogzum." She can only hope it's complimentary. Joan Peers, a clever little newcomer to films, has a queer taste in pets. She carries a messy little horned-toad around with her in a perforated box. We hope the toad is properly appreciative. A tempest in a bungalow was narrowly averted by the Metro executives when the ' question arose as to which star was to move into the splendiferous bungalow built for Cecil DeMille. When it was found that several of the company's stars regarded themselves as logical contenders for the honor, the problem was diplomatically solved by installing the reading department in the bungalow. And now it's free dental services that players are getting thrown in along with their salaries on new contracts. At least that's what little Greta Bennette's contract with Fox calls for; and the dental work is supposed to be compulsory if Fox's big molar men think she needs it. Nothing like ensuring a pearly screen smile ! In the meantime Clark Gable declines to be lionized, says he isn't any "second Valentino," that he isn't tall, isn't handsome, and was merely lucky in finally getting the breaks. Ann Harding declares she has never waved or curled her hair, never used any bleach on it, and mostly just shampoos it in plain soap and water herself. Constance Bennett wears a chain bracelet which she never takes off, but she won't tell us what the sentiment is, attached to it. Can you imagine the excitement when Greta Garbo appeared unheralded at the Mission Inn, Riverside, Cal., for dinner last week, in riding knickers and a blue beret ! But Garbo looked scared of being recognized and hid out with her man and woman companion. No one, however, intruded on her privacy. The story goes that Sylvia Sidney was on the Fox lot years ago and won no attention whatever, finally leaving almost in tears. Then, the New York stage — and now, watch that little girl soar ! First the Bow role in "City Streets" — now "Street Scene" and "American Tragedy" to command admiration. No more snubs for Sylvia now ! When a Los Angeles critic rang RKO studio the other day to ask what children they had under contract the P. A. said. "Children? hm — well, there is Bert Wheeler." And Bert is such a nice fellow, too! Ona Munson, one time musical comedy star who sang and danced her way into pictures, goes on record as wishing to forsake her talents along those lines and do real acting — with no music. "The day of choruses on the screen is over," says Ona. Now there's a chorus girl with "them" — brains, we mean. James Gleason, actor and scenario writer, says, "never_ write a play or a role without having a definite character in mind." For instance, he wrote his own part in "A Free Soul" and in "Beyond Victory." Sort of "God helps them who help themselves" doctrine. Not bad at all — when it works ! Nina Wilcox Putnam, famous writer, thinks motion pictures are on the trend to cleaner and more wholesome subjects. No more gangsters, no more sex. They say Billie Dove enjoys tennis and golf, and is now an enthusiastic aviatrix. That she paints and plays the piano for hobbies. Oh — and she maintains a kennel of prize-winning Scotch terriers on the side. She acts, apparently, only in her spare moments — if any. Marlene Dietrich, while on the "Shanghai Express" set, lunched with her charming young daughter every day. Little Maria Dietrich and her mother don't allow mere acting to come between them at all. Josef Von Sternberg, who is directing the "Shanghai Express" has encountered a new difficulty. He has some thousand Chinese on the set who insist upon staring into the camera. Just plain curiosity seems to be the cause. In order to overcome this Von Sternberg has had to erect a dummy camera for the orientals to appease their curiosity upon — and incidentally keep them from embarrassing the little birdie in the real camera. Why didn't the star reporter write the big story that would have sealed the slayer's doom? "X Marks The Spot" is charged with the electric tempo of newspaper drama, crammed with new breath taking thrills. Featuring LEW CODY SALLY BLANE WALLACE FORD FRED KOHLER MARY NOLAN "Keep Your Eyes On Tiffany Pictures". Watch for Clara Kimball Young's triumphant return to the screen in "Women Go On Forever" — "Murder At Midnight", the picture which broke the week-end record at the B. S. Moss Broadway, New York — "Leftover Ladies", based on an article by Ursula Parrolt, famous author of "Ex-Wife" and "Strangers May Kisa". TIFFAI1V PRODUCTiONS, INC. When you write to advertisers please mention SCREENLAND