Screenland (Nov 1941-Apr 1942)

HOLLYWOOD BEING only human, Robert Sterling was naturally nervous the first day working with Garbo. After each take he'd mop his brow and tug at his choking collar. The Culver City Sphinx observed him quietly. Finally she spoke: "Tell me, Mr. Sterling — how old are you?" "Wh-why, I'm twentyfour," Bob answered nonchalantly. "Hurn-m-m," Garbo retorted. "How rosy !" Then she walked away. BOB TAYLOR is right worried. Barbara Stanwyck can't seem to gain an extra pound. Bob thinks that's the reason why she suffers from many colds. While Barbara stuffs herself with fattening foods, Bob watches over her size thirteen figure like a guardian angel. Not so many years ago, the Stanwyck figure in the fitting room used to send designers screaming among their bolts of chiffons. WONDER how the Hays office is going to handle this one? They've just written in a strip tease for Ann Sothern to do in "Panama Hattie." Annie practically strips down to a smile and a charm bracelet— but instead of actually doing it she pantomimes the whole thing. She's so terrific doing it, the imagination of the audience will probably require the censorship ! HAT DI CICCO hasn't been too busy with i Gloria Vanderbilt, Jr., to neglect Margaret Lindsay. They see each other twice a week. Maggie is wearing new ten-inch bangs that change her appearance so much, the camera boys asked Pat who she was. BECAUSE Barbara Hutton dislikes seeing her name in print, Hollywood wags are now referring to her and Cary Grant as, "Cash and Cary." POPULAR man about Hollywood is Baron Polan. The "Baron" part of it is purely his given name. When a local gossip hound printed that Gail Patrick and Baron were going to be married, Gail's home town paper gave her a banner line. "GAIL PATRICK TO BECOME BARONESS" was the caption. IDA LUPINO'S worries are over. BeI cause she has worked so steadily in artificial fog, dirty sea water, wind and rain, her hair began falling out in_ handfuls. A recently discovered vitamin not only has stopped the trouble, but Ida has also gained ten needed pounds. Incidentally, the little Lupino is a faithful member -of the volunteer Ambulance Drivers' Corps. Along with stenographers, secretaries and shop girls, she dons her uniform and drills with them regularly. Helen Gilbert, Katherine Booth and Barbara Britton, above, practically wilteu watching MacDonald Carey kiss-testing with Margaret Hayes. Carey's in "Take a Letter, Darling." It tickles us just looking at Bob Hope's Jerry Colonna-like moustache. Bob's doing "that to Vera Zorina for "Louisiana Purchase." What's all this about Stirling Hayden deserting the screen for his first love — the sea? We hope it's a false rumor. Stirling, above, with Madeleine Carroll in "Bahama Passage." DESPITE that weird ostrich-plumed hat. Ginger Rogers was the most dated gal of the week. At Dave Chasen's she started off with a gin rummy session, a steak and Bob Foulk, popular Hollywood dialogue director. The next night it was sandwiches and a coke in a drive-in with Eddie Norris. George Montgomery got dates the next two nights running. Then Jimmy Stewart got in town. When last seen he was frantically dialing Ginger's number from the phone booth in Ciro's. IT'S being kept very quiet, but they say I that M-G-M is grooming Kathryn Grayson's sister. Not only is she prettier, but the sister is supposed to have a better voice than Kathryn's. The studio will probably see to it that a marriage-must-wait clause is inserted in her contract! ■ ■SB