Screenland (May-Oct 1936)

72 SCREENLAND Paris Continued from page 22 short trip over here. Anyway we enjoyed hugely the short glimpse of the lovely I Mores. If they shoot the scenes here I'll certainly be on hand to report on any snappy bits that will surely occur when an English company makes scenes in France. Novarro was on his way back to Hollywood after his rather unfortunate experiences on the stage in England. I am sure he will be glad to be back home once more in California. The last visit to France of Lily Pons was an interesting proof of the glamor that is inevitably associated with a film star. She used to play small parts in comedies in the theatre here. Couldn't even get an engagement at the Opera or Opera Comique. Her discovery in a French Provincial Opera House and sensational debut at the Metropolitan in New York is a familiar tale to everyone now. Her first appearance in a Paris' concert after that was a triumph but was as nothing compared to the furore she caused when next she appeared after her film was released. "I Dream Too Much" attracted great attention here even though done in English. This Spring she appeared at the Opera in Monte Carlo and the enthusiasm knew no bounds. I was paying a flying visit to Monte Carlo at the time and watched with great amusement the sensation the diminutive Lily caused. Her every move was in the papers. One day she visited the gardens of Dr. Voronoff, the famous monkey-gland specialist, just across the Italian border, with Sascha Guitry, the great French actor-dramatist. An admir ing monkey attacked her and Actordramatist Guitry gallantly rescued her. Yes, yes — that got headlines in all the European papers ! The vivacious Pons is delightful to talk to. Her accent is a charming mixture of Yankee and French and even her French has the warm accent of the Midi, her native land. In the south she was happy in the family circle once more with her mother and two sisters. One sister, Nenette, has a baby which Lily proudly says is as big as she is, which really isn't saying much. Lily's love for America is evidently sincere for on this trip she gathered together her mother, her teacher, her furniture, goods and chattels so as to settle permanently in America. New York to be exact. Showing good taste, and appreciation for what the American public has done for her. One's idea of a Swede is generally that of a big blond with not very much of the romantic in his make-up. Nils Asther lives up to only one of these characteristics. He is big as to height, though very slim, but he is very dark and extremely romantic. In fact seeing him in Paris one would think of him as an Italian or a native of the south of France, the Midi, they call it here. He loves the very atmosphere of Paris and to wander about the streets, sit at the sidewalk cafes or on his balcony overlooking the banks of the Seine. We would cover miles of an evening in our strolls talking of Sweden, old times in Hollywood, and the latest gossip of the London studios, where he is making pictures. Yes, and he even told me charm ing and amusing things of Garbo whom he has seen on a recent visit to Sweden. Mervyn LeRoy sought relaxation in London and Paris after the arduous task of directing "Anthony Adverse." I should think that after just reading the book one would need to take a holiday ! The youth of the big American directors is always a source of surprise to the French, for over here, with the exception of Rene Clair, the directors are of middle-age or over. The most beautiful young woman I ever saw is in Paris at the moment: the Princess Karam of Kapurthala. Two years ago she paid her first visit here from her native India and was the sensation of Europe. The Princess was mobbed whenever she stepped out. I painted her miniature and never were brushes so inspired ! All the film directors and executives who could reach her pleaded with her to go to Hollywood. She smiled sweetly and was amused. After two years she has returned and again they are pleading with her to go out there and show the Hollywood starlets what real glamor is. Joseph Schenck is in town and between his 'phone calls and Walter Wanger's cables she might weaken and go for a visit. Her young husband, Prince Karam, is as handsome as she is beautiful, so all the directors gaze and think what a pair for pictures! Samuel Goldwyn has just been on a trip to scour Europe for promising star material but has returned to America without a single discovery, so Garbo, Dietrich, and other flowers can still sit securely on their celluloid thrones. Ask Me! By Miss Vee Dee Lorraine T. Yes, Mary Brian was the adorable Wendy in the film version of "Peter Pan" and Betty Bronson was Peter. Mary is back in Hollywood after picturemaking and stage appearances in England. She is with Paramount Studios, Hollywood, Cal., and you can drop her a line of welcome at that studio. In 1929 Mary played in "Black Waters," "Man I Love," "Kibitzer," "River of Romance," "Virginian" and "Marriage Playground." Mary is now in the cast of "Spendthrift" with Henry Fonda, Pat Paterson, George Barbier and Richard Carle. What's more, she is leading lady in Cary Grant's romantic life at present, and it looks serious, too. Miss Florence S. Thanks a million for your kindly interest and your information about several films of ten years ago. Attention Maynard L.! It was Donald Keith who played opposite Clara Bow in "Plastic Age" in 1925. A grand guy we have wanted to see at the top of the famous ladder is Lane Chandler, who is in the cast of "Winds of the Wastelands," featuring John Wayne and Phyllis Frazier. So give Lane a big hand, all you girls and boys, to help him make the top rung on the cinema ladder. Blue Eyes. You won't find "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" under that title at your library for the story was written by Clarence Budington Kelland under the name "Opera Hat." The film had several working Youth marches on, and two of the youngsters now progressing with speed are Johnny Downs and Jane Rhodes, teamed in a new picture. titles before "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" was selected. Among them, "A Gent Goes to Town" and "Cinderella Man." Remember Mme. Matzenauer in the picture? She took that role with only twenty-four hours' notice. She is the once-famous Metropolitan Opera star, singing opposite the late Caruso, the golden-voiced tenor. Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur made cinema history in "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." Miss Helen D. It's nice to hear from the Lone Star state and we hope you'll like to see your name in print so well, you'll ask me another question. Alan Baxter was born in Cleveland, Ohio ; graduated from Williams College, took a dramatic course at Yale University and later was a member of the Theatre Guild. He is a very versatile chap ; he paints, dashes off musical comedy shorts, swims, plays golf, and knows all about the theatre from the box-office to the doorman. Alan has light brown hair, brown eyes, and is 5 feet 11 inches tall and 25 years old. He made a hit in "Alary Burns, Fugitive" with Sylvia Sidney. His most recent releases are "Thirteen Hours by Air," and "Big Brown Eyes." Hannah and Ann. "The Count of Monte Cristo" was Robert Donat's first American film. You may remember his role of Thomas Culpeper in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" with Charles Laughton ; and also "Thirty-nine Steps." His latest showing is "The Ghost Goes West," made in England with Jean Parker and Eugene Pallette. Robert was born on March 18, 1905, in Withington, Manchester, England. He has dark brown hair, brown eyes, and is 6 feet tall. He was on the British stage in 1921 and has made a number of films in England.