Screenland (Nov 1935-Apr 1936)

for March 19 36 65 Acme Marion Hepburn, right, sister of Katharine Hepburn, and Lois Warren Shaw, students at Bennington College, volunteer for social service work at Hull House, Chicago. Marion says she's not interested in a screen career. A TERRIFIC fuss was made over the arrival of the great English novelist, H. G. Wells. Swarms of people went to the airport to greet him, all the news services and photographers were present. It was quite an affair. The low-down on the matter is that Mr. Wells actually arrived in town, quietly, one week before his supposed arrival, cleaned up various and sundry businesses, and no one knew he was here but Charlie Chaplin! THE fans are getting awfully smart, we mean the autograph-hounds that besiege the local restaurants. They have found out about Thursday — you know, cook's night out. They simply collect, waist deep, around the Beverly Derby, and the other night we saw them catch Freddie Bartholomew, who was taking Constance Collier (!) to dinner, Edward G. Robinson, Clark Gable, Kay Francis and Delmar Daves. It was a big night. But one of the most distinguished gentlemen present was not recognized, except by the stellar diners, who visited his table at intervals. He was Alexander Woollcott, having a very gay time with Laura Hope Crews. DESERT-RATS de luxe, two prospectors named Joel McCrea and Lew Ayres. Joel discovered eight claims left among the papers of his maternal grandfather, Albert Whipple, California pioneer, who came west in the gold rush of '49. Lew is furnishing the knowledge of geology, assaying, and what-not. Joel furnishes the mules. They start after "These Three" is finished, and no foolin' about it. But the unique part will be found in their knapsacks— probably the only prospector's "grub" ever to include a large quantity of caviar ! Both boys are very fond of it ; say they can get along for days on nothing else. SYLVIA SIDNEY'S dressing-room at Paramount is vacant. She has finished her contract with Walter Wanger. It is a romantic place, that suite of rooms. Pola Negri first had it, and it was quite a sight — -all in red and gold and black. Clara Bow took it over next, and left the decorations. Clara loved red. When Sylvia moved in, the decor was changed to modern colors and furnishings. But now, the strangest part of all — not a star on the lot has put in a demand for this choice suite ! In the old days, all sorts of tempestuous battles would have taken place over it. Dear, dear, are stars losing their temperament? What, no fights? THERE is a plot of ground at the back of Dick Aden's place at which he has cast longing eyes for lo, these many yeahs. It was just the spot for a tennis court. It was all grown with weeds and sort of an eyesore, so Joby started by having grass and flowers planted. Then they got so used to the idea that now they have bought it, by gum. Gave themselves a Christmas present. BETTY GRABLE and Jackie Coogan announced their engagement, shortly after Jackie reached his majority — but just then the studio stepped in and placed one of those clauses in Betty's contract. She can't marry for a year. Well, they're pretty young yet, and maybe it's just as well. They went out on a personal appearance tour, accompanied by Betty's mother, and maybe you will see these two radiant youngsters in your town. THE strangest casting of the month is Charles Laughton for "Goodbye Mr. Chips." If you have read the book, as of course you have — well, what do you think? THE noisiest street in Beverly Hills is Alpine Drive— only it's nice noise. Gladys Swarthout, Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald, Grace Moore, and Tito Schipa, (in Lawrence Tibbett's house), all live within a few blocks of each other, and the funny thing is, there hasn't been a single complaint from the neighbors. DID you know Katie Hepburn is the only woman picture star ever to brave the camera without make-up? In the scenes where she played a boy for "Sylvia Scarlett," Katie's face was absolutely bare, and one never sees her off -screen in any makeup at all except a bit of lip-rouge. WAS that a moment — when Jack Barrymore and Dolores Costello both appeared at the Countess di Frasso's party ! The situation tightened up considerably, as if this were not enough, when a telephone message came for John Juan from Elaine Barrie, formerly Jacobs. All this proved a few too many for the Barrymore, who made a graceful exit between two friends, but in double time. Bob Wallace Bob Wallace Hollywood's No. I turf fan, Bing Crosby, gives some tips (hope Look who we find at the races! Randy Scott took Dorothy Mar they are good), to Joan Bennett and her husband, Gene Markey. tin, left, when he went to Santa Anita. Is it a romance?