Screenland (Jun-Oct 1935)

80 SCRE ENLAND recent additions to Bing Crosby's family would in themselves serve as a balancewheel to the vagabond attitude Bing has always had toward life. This should check his impulsive nature, but unless he is very careful, within the next two years he and Dixie are apt to disagree and nearly come to the parting of the ways. But they are born in signs which are sympathetic to each other, and there should be a certain degree of understanding between them. A sense of loyalty and duty would restrain Bing Crosby from making any drastic changes in his matrimonial life, especially if we consider Dixie Lee's sacrifices in the past for Bing. Crosby is born under the sign of Taurus. This is an earth sign, and inclines people of that time to carelessness in physical details. Bing must be especially careful of this if he wishes to safeguard his future on the screen," Norvell explains. Shirley Temple is an Aries child. This is the happiest star for Hollywood, being the ruler of such players as Pickford, Crawford, Chaplin, and Swanson. "The most beloved child in the world will continue on a very fortunate path all her life. Her beauty will increase as she grows up, and never leave her. Her health, with proper care, will always be excellent. Shirley's many talents can be fully developed, if she wishes, especially her musical ability. "Although little Miss Temple may leave the screen as she grows older for appearances on the stage, she will return when she is a young lady in the manner of Madge Evans, and once again win great acclaim." The only thing that interfered with Grace Moore's success in her early pictures, Norvell states, was the fact that her star was not on the ascendant at that time. During the past two years, she has been under the most prosperous aspects of Jupiter, the money planet. She will continue being successful, not only in pictures, but on the operatic stage and radio. One of the most notable successes in the near future, according to Norvell, will be Elisabeth Bergner, who was such a success in "Catherine the Great." "Although she is concentrating on stage work, she will accept a movie contract sometime next year, and her rise to stardom will be so rapid that her future success will equal that of Greta Garbo. Her planets give her somewhat the same appeal as that which has made of Garbo an outstanding star and personality." Norvell thinks pictures are ready for something distinctive and different in the Spencer Tracy goes tender — as what he-man wouldn't? — in this scene with pretty Claire Trevor. line of entertainment. They will become, he says, more daring in subject matter during the next year, and will venture outside the limited, conventional themes that have made of pictures a routined entertainment. I asked Mr. Norvell if it were possible for anyone to outwit his destiny as revealed by the stars. "Well," he answered, "some people fly in the face of their stars and seem to achieve success. Take John Barrymore. He was never meant to be a married man, yet his marriage to Dolores was happy for both of them, for a long time. Now, however, their stars seem to be actively destroying their happiness. John and Dolores were born under signs that really should not be together. They could have made a success of their marriage, except that John comes under the temperamental sign of Uranus which rules Aquarius, and this causes him to lack tolerance. It makes him desire freedom, and he wants to tear loose from the home ties. He resents the responsibility of children, and of routine matrimony. There will be no reconciliation between them, but another marriage faces Barrymore in the future — and another marriage for Dolores. Norma Shearer's commendable efforts on behalf of furthering her career should prove an inspiration to all women who wonder if they can mix marriage and a career. "Norma Shearer was born under the sign of Leo, ruler of Hollywood. The powerful Sun, center of all creation, gives her the dynamic energy and determination, which have carried her to the presen* glorious position in the film firmament. In the near future she will have to make a choice between marriage and a career." Norvell is inclined to think that she will choose marriage. She will undoubtedly confine herself to but a few pictures in the future, but she will realize the wisdom of devoting more time to her home and less to a screen career that has already showered upon her the richest awards possible of attainment. "Marion Davies' recent move to Warner Brothers studio, from an astrological viewpoint, is a very wise one, and will bring her added success in the future. Under the confusing and fiery vibrations of the former studio, her temperament could no longer flourish. In her new environment, Marion Davies should reach new heights in her career, and finally come into her complete heritage as an actress and comedienne. "Janet Gaynor has reached a crucial period in her career, owing to the fact that her ruling planet, Venus, has been going through a very bad affliction for some time. She is definitely limited to a certain type of role, and should continue in romantic teams such as the one that skyrocketed her to fame with Charles Farrell. She is not, however, finished in pictures, but will be forced to develop a more distinctive personalty and emotion to continue longer in public favor." Of the younger married set in pictures, according to the stars as interpreted by Norvell, the union of Frances Dee and Joel McCrea should be successful, especially if Frances eventually subjugates her career to the home. "Joel McCrea is the type of man who does not like to be dominated. As Frances Dee becomes more of a wife, Joel McCrea will become more of an actor, and will surprise even those people who admire him greatly now." Norvell is extremely handsome, and the girls here in Hollywood like him. And does Norvell like the girls? Well, he had a luncheon date with one of the extra girls one day, and a messenger came from Greta Garbo, saying that the Great One would give an hour of her invaluable time to read her stars. It is hard to believe, I know, and many will scoff at the mention of it, but it's true — Norvell kept his appointment with the extra girl ! The Insi troupe were on a boat bound for Cuba. "On board ship, I looked around for somebody interesting to play..with," Powell remembers. "I suppose Barthelmess did the same. We found nobody to suit our tastes, so we commenced walking the deck alone. I suddenly rounded a corner and bumped into a raccoon coat. I looked again, and saw it was Dick. We both grunted, mumbled an embarrassed word or two — and then started our walk together. Around and around that promenade we walked. We must have gone around a dozen times before either of us spoke. "Without warning, Dick blurted, 'You drink?' I answered, 'I do.' Whereupon we went into his stateroom — and we remained there for most of the trip. We found that we had many things in common to talk about. More important, our voices harmonized in song — at least to our own e Career Story of Willia Continued from page 23 satisfaction. We became pals." This friendship still exists, after thirteen years. "Under the Red Robe" was Powell's next important cinematic step. This was the one and only silent picture in which John Charles Thomas, the noted baritone, appeared. It stands out in Bill's memory because Powell was the victim of an automobile crash, en route to work one evening, that nearly cost the star his life. He was knocked unconscious in the accident. He -was riding to work, when he saw his car was about to crash. He ducked his head, but: "The next thing I knew, I was aware of a terrific pain about the vicinity of my nose. I tried to raise my hand to investigate, and discovered that I couldn't move my hands. Bit by bit, I recovered consciousness, opened my eyes, and looked around. I was in a hospital. Doctors and Powell nurses were working over me. I had gone through the windshield of the car. My nose was broken until it practically hung on my face. My upper lip was cut entirely through ; my teeth could be seen through the gap. My head was a mass of cuts and gashes. "A plastic surgeon managed to sew me back together. How he did it, I'll never know, because I was in horrible shape. I still have scars — one here, and this one, (Bill pointed them out), and this mark on my chin. I occupied a cot in that hospital for weeks. You'll know what kind of a crash it was when I tell you that the wrecked car, a brand-new Packard, was sold for only fifteen dollars." "Romola," featuring Lillian and Dorothy Gish, followed "Under the Red Robe." It was during this picture that Powell formed another friendship that has existed through