Screenland (May-Oct 1939)

Ycu cccd c'd r-'ed-cnd-true f-iend, V/ ally Bee-"/, illustrates the luck of the Irish in his latest film, ' Sergeant Madden," story of the New York police department. The romancers are Lcraine Johnson and Alan Curtis. wood, because he never said so and always told the reporters who interviewed him that it's as interesting as the stage. . . . Don't forget it's "Bob"' Breen now. and there's a regular corporation named after him handling his affairs. . . . Bob Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck have come out of their farm shell now that their marriage path is smoothed for a Summer ceremony, and you see them cooing modestly at the Brown Derby and other night spots they used to shun. . . . Tallulah Bankhead has finally clicked in a big way on Broadway, so she's not sorry she failed to get the part of Scarlett. . . . Both Loretta Young and Jean Arthur insisted upon Cary Grant for their current pictures, and Garbo doesn't start her new film until he's available— so no wonder Phyllis Brooks and matrimony are waiting a while ! JOHN BARRYMORE nearly queered •J the sale of his hilltop mansion by talking too soon. "That Chinese tenement was a kind of a nightmare, but it might appeal to somebody — maybe an actor," he frankly remarked before the auction beean. He had three swimming pools and bought the place from King Yidor because it reminded him of Austria. "I'd never been to Austria!" he added wryly. There he lived during his marriage to Dolores Costello. There were rooms for a dozen servants, which gives you an idea of the size. When he and Elaine return from their play, for more pictures, they will continue to rent. The fourth Mrs. B. won't let him get gay w"ith his come-back earnings. The auction was radioed for the benefit of his public. RONNIE BENNETT'S smartness has V~ never been more in evidence than in the way she's building up her cosmetic business. Over on Melrose Boulevard, near Paramount, there's a modest building where twenty employees manufacture her powders and creams. The walls inside are burgundy and dusty pink, Connie's favorite tones, and each girl who is hired is required to know" the full chemical formula of the plant's product Connie is more than merely president of this corporation — she personally supervises its progress. If business keeps improving she'll take over larger quarters. Still Hollywood's happiest young couple, Mr. and Mrs. John Payne — she's Anne Shirley, to you — step out to the movies. IF YOU were Kay Francis these days I your face would be so red ! It seems that Kay's fourth marriage, which was to climax her life to date with a burst of happiness, went on the rocks before the ceremony was performed. Once again Kay made a mistake about love. But this time she was so sure. She'd made such definite plans to spend half her time in California and the other half in London, with the German baron she adored. Raven Erik Angus Barnekow. The best-laid plans for bliss went haywire. Kay took a cruise to South America, with only her lady business manager along. When she returned she felt like a fool trying to get back into the picture game, because she'd retired so magnificently. After a couple of spots on ace air shows, however, she landed her current role with Carole Lombard and David Niven in "Memory" of Love." The baron? He's just one more memorv now! Jock Benny's "most popular half-hour" radio show would seem to have sneaked on the screen, in sections anyway, as Phil Harris, ace bondman, in scene with Benny at left above, and the inimitable Rochester (Eddie Anderson), right above, are persuaded to lend their talents to Benny's new film, "Man About Town."