Screenland (May-Oct 1939)

Lcn weissman Herbert Marshall celebrates his birthday by dancing with Lee Russell and whistling to music in Cocoanut Grove. George's Women Continued from page 23 as a little figure as a stopper holding up transparent umbrella, and when it was ound not to be sealed tight there was a reat rush in its direction and before ou could say Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer the •hole "enormous bottle was empty ! It was assed around so quickly and splashed on b many handkerchiefs and lapels that by it time the poor prop man had fought is way through the crowd of excited omen they themselves had found out /hat he wanted to tell them, that "Sumler Rain" was nothing but the. thinning rtion for Spirit Gum put into this exensive looking bottle. For the rest of nat day the whole set smelt strongly of leansing fluid. Xaturally, in a picture crammed with .omen, clothes play a very important part, nd here's where you'll get your dose of urprises and eyebrow lifts, for Adrian as designed some real honeys. Some are oing to startle you right out onto the isle, and others you'll want to copy right way, and you will be able to, what's more, ecause one of the fashion shows is an ntirely new yenture in pictures, that is, collection of clothes both simple and inxpensive that you'll be able to wear withut being a film star and without that lolls Royce to ride in, and yet you'll jok. oh so good in them. Of course I on't advise you to copy Rosalind Rusell's dress that's 27 yards of tulle sprinled with whole-stuffed birds looking as t they're getting ready to take off down outh any moment! Mr. Cukor insisted hat Adrian design the clothes, not to suit he stars, but to fit exactly the type of reman the star is playing. You know how >ften really smart women look absurd in heir new fashions ; well, I can only say ait 'till you see Rosalind Russell wearing he dress adorned with sequin eyes com>lete with luscious lashes and eyebrows. That's going to startle the natives of Lonbn, Paris, and New York, all right! The air styles, too, aren't done to look pretty n close-ups, but again to be in keeping vith each character. Crawford does look well though with her new short hair and prophesy that very soon, when girls see iow good it looks, barbers will be kept yorking over-time chopping off to direcions of "Cut it like Joan Crawford has iers, please." As a matter of fact it all happened through an accident, through a permanent that didn't work out and spoiled three inches of glamorous Crawford hair. "Well," she thought after shedding a few tears, "better make the best of a bad job, I suppose. Go on, then, comb it out !" and presto there it was, so attractive, so practical, and so entirely new. Some people have all the luck. I think it speaks very well for Rosalind and shows how completely her trust is in George Cukor by letting him drown her own personality and become exactly the type of woman he wishes her to be. They aren't taking any risks on this picture, there isn't going to be any "Well, if she can wear ostrich feathers, why can't I ?" — because the director (I was just about to say dictator) has absolutely forbidden any of the stars to see what the others are going to wear until they actually get right on the set, so they won't be acting surprised when they get an eyeful of each other strutting around like peacocks. The corner of M-G-M's stage 25 was beginning to look like a trailer camp the other day with the stars' portable dressing rooms all set up in line, except that I suppose we'd drive right off the road if we ever came face to face with anything painted orchid and yellow like Crawford's little changing room. Incidentally, it's done in the same colors as her home. Back in the Cukor house the telephone rings incessantly, and a never-ending stream of female voices fire questions at him. complain to him, seek advice, wail at him, tell him secrets and confessions. He never loses his temper for one second, but lets them talk themselves silly if they want to, never saying much more than "yes, darling" and "but of course, darling," making everyone happy and content and feeling they've got exactly their own way when really the only way they are getting is Mr. George Cukor's way. There'll be no nonsense on this set, no pulling of temperament, and they'll all be there on time. I overheard George talking with Joan Crawford and saying something only too true. The reason big stars are apt to be 'so late and hold up the production isn't their fault a lot of times, but the fault of the assistants who are far too polite with them and don't come right out and say "Miss Crawford, you're wanted on the set now, please." They amble up and when they get near the gaily decorated dressing rooms, they murmur in a quiet unhurried voice, "Please Miss Crawford, when you're ready, will you come along please?" and "My, that's a pretty dress you're wearing, Miss Crawford." So it's only natural she thinks there is all the time in the world and is surprised when she gets on the set to find they've been waiting half an hour for her. That's one of Hollywood's great troubles, too much yessing and bowing down to stars, and that's why M-G-M knew Cukor was the man to handle the women. He's not afraid to say exactly what he means and thinks, and very often it's far from complimentary, yet they admire and respect him so much they not only take the insults and do what he says, but love him for it too. Everyone of the actresses in the picture is excited about it, all Hollywood and most of the New York stage tried by every means known to women, and that's saying something, to get into this important picture. Another reason why this picture is definitely so important is because of the New Joan Crawford. This time she really is New. It's goodbye to the old Crawford of glamorous days, of gigantic close-ups with parted lips and batting long eyelashes ; it's Crawford the actress, and a very good actress too, who is going to be grateful to Cukor for putting her onto a different plane, a plane among the screen's great performers. From now on she's an actress first with all that Crawford appeal still there, and in my opinion showing up much more, because its owner is no longer a glamor gal but an actress with glamor. There's a difference. You card players are going to die when you see the bridge game. Even now I can almost hear the snickering going on in your theatre when you see it, and feel the nudgings and under-breath "isn't that just like. . . !" It's so true to life. I only wish you could have seen them taking it, though ; it was one of those hold-ups on the set and there sat those four sophisticated smart women, wearing hats that would make a Dietrich first night creation look conservative, there they sat laughing and playing, what do you think? Slapjack! Yes, so far, all is well with the women. British Pres.* Combine The Fred Astaires visit Lord and Lady Charles Cavendish at Lismore Castle, Ireland. Lady Cavendish (with hand on Astaire's shoulder) is Fred's sister, Adele, who was his dancing partner before she retired from stage to marry Lord Cavendish. 73