Screenland (Nov 1938-Apr 1939)

Acme wants to know if you know that the annual payroll in Hollywood is $91,000,000? MERLE OBERON isn't going to marry Alexander Korda after all— that's the latest on her decidedly interesting love life. But they remain the best of friends and now that she's spending the next six months in London he'll star her in a million dollar picture or two. Their romance had a singular introduction in that it was the first Mrs. K. who noticed Merle lunching in a London hotel and pointed her out to the producer as an extraordinary type. Merle plunges into metropolitan life after wintering by the sea at Santa Monica. Her jewel box of a town house is in London's smartest neighborhood and is concrete evidence of her progress since she was only a broke but ambitious girl. CTRANGEST case in Hollywood today O is the mystery of why Dolores Del Rio isn't working before the cameras. Certainly one of the genuinely stunning beauties of today, an exciting personality who is the acme of intelligent modernity, Dolores once commanded a weekly salary of $10,000. She surely has excellent social connections in Hollywood, and her graciousness has made her personally popular. Still, no contracts are coming her way and she very much wants to go on with her career. What will change her luck? It's true she is no Bernhardt, but lots of gals with far less to offer aren't, either. She refuses to ask any of her important friends for a job. Perhaps all she needs is less refinement and more plain nerve ! BETTE DAVIS and Spencer Tracy have been the most ardent boosters of the desert this winter, but — they haven't been there together, naturally ; Bette not only invited her mother to vacation with her, but asked her uncle and his wife and their son to stay at her La Quinta cottage, too. She has regained the poise she lost when she and "Ham" Nelson split, and looks very much better. Incidentally, she and "Ham" talk via long-distance and she is so glad he has a good job with an advertising agency in New York City. And as for those persistent rumors that George Brent is the new man in her life, to date Bette says he's never asked her for a date ! Which puts her in the same spot Olivia de Havilland was in last month. The columnists were loudly proclaiming Howard Hughes' passion for Livvy, who was silent —because, in reality, he had never at that time so much as called her up. If George is like Hughes he'll finally telephone Bette just to make honest men and women of the snoopers. The millionaire flyer is now swamping the de Havilland home with expensive flowers, having decided Livvy is a honey. If he still pines for Katharine Hepburn he's concealing his Hepburnitis admirably. Before he met the de Havilland ultimate in ingenues he gave Marlene Dietrich a whirl. BACK home from a triumphant honeymoon trip, Wayne Morris and his bride claim the high spot of their boat tour East was the masquerade ball at which they copped first prize. They went as the ideal bride and groom. Wayne was faultless in top hat and tails, except there were no trousers over his shorts. Mrs. M. was Parisian in her gown, only she donned a muslin veil and toted a bouquet of carrots. Warners presented the lad with a new contract which brought a salary raise as a fitting wedding present. The couple has a beautiful Brentwood home, not far from Joan Crawford's, and it's fully paid for. WHEN Joan Crawford and Billie Burke broadcast together not long ago it was astonishing to note that it was Joan and not Billie who was most composed. The veteran stage actress tripped up on a couple of her lines. Her savings, she confesses, aren't going into a trust fund because she hasn't been able to sell the Hudson manor where she and Florenz Ziegfeld lived in such style and she has to keep it up until she locates a buver. Joan Crawford's only fault, according to audiences in the radio studios, is that she doesn't bow or smile graciously when she finishes her act. She scurries on and off stage as though she were scared to death. Maybe she is, but after all she is an actress and she could profitably pose as a poised performer. Bill Powell claims he pretended to be nonchalant for years before he truly was. The President, left, chats with Errol Flynn in the box occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt at a horse show in Washington,' at which the star rode one of the White House horses. Above, the attractive and tremendously popular Mr. Flynn in his role as a screen actor — in his latest film, "Dodge City." IOHN GARFIELD may have abandoned J the stage when he said he wouldn't for all the gold in Hollywood, but he hasn't gone elegant. He's remaining in pictures because he's getting amazing opportunities to characterize, something he never believed happened. Mrs. G. is frankly pleased, for now that they have an heiress a California home of their own seems more comfortable than a cramped New York apartment. John admits he has never been in any of the expensive New York night clubs ; he'd rather spend his evenings talking, and you have to be alert to keep up with him. So — one more cynic finds that Hollywood isn't so bad after all ! yOU have to hand it to Fredric March. When he could have gone on collecting fat pay-checks he turned down another long-term contract in order to free lance and so get better acting roles. Then, although luxuriously settled in a Beverly mansion, he vowed to repay his wife's sacrifice of her career to his by teaming with her on Broadway. Their play was a flop. Undaunted, he tried again, and if you haven't seen the unbeatable Marches in person in the current hit, "The American Way," you'll want to when you visit the gay white way. Freddie has made one more step, clicked on Broadway. He was on the stage before he entered pictures, but he never was acclaimed by the nation's top critics for his footlight endeavors. He'il not make another picture for some time, not until summer, for he's too busy playacting with Florence Eldridge March. Yes, he insisted she team again on his second try. MOVIE stars never know when they'll get their vacations. Right now Errol Flynn is enjoying his, an eight week layoff. Of course, he's been doing a little work, but not before cameras. He has a few radio broadcasts and a visit with the Franklin D. Roosevelts under his belt, and now he's hunting on a great Virginia estate. Society has taken him up. Oh, and Lili Damita Flynn, too. The fightin' Flynns are thoroughly reconciled once more. As soon as they leave country life on the plantation they head for Miami and a yachtingwind-up. 70