Screenland (Nov 1941-Apr 1942)

FROM HOLLYWOOD RONNIE REAGAN is ready and standing by. Just when his career and his personal life are rich with fulfillment, comes every indication that his services may be needed as a reserve member of the United States Cavalry. If he is called, the one hindrance may be the deficiency in his eyesight. Without his glasses, like Joan Bennett, Martha Scott and many others, Ronnie can't see clearly, over five feet away from him. Ronnie's adoring wife, Janey Wyman, isn't saying a word. But there's a hurt something in her face, as she goes gaily around Hollywood these days. Little Maureen Elizabeth, the baby Reagan, is too young and healthy to realize the drama that's going on around her. HERE'S the true story on that fight between Lana Turner and Roger Pryor. When Loretta Young invited them for dinner at Ciro's, they accepted with one condition. Lana must leave at ten to do a broadcast. So everyone was having a wonderful time. Suddenly Lana looked at her watch. She had exactly twelve minutes before she'd go on the air. Breaking away from Roger on the dance floor, she flew out of the place. Roger made their apologies and followed. Hollywood took it all in curiously. Right then and there it was decided the heat was on. Now you know how some rumors get started at Ciro's. I F IT'S true, it's all being kept very secret. I But a close friend of Garbo's is supposed to have told the story. It's said that the great Greta has sunk a huge sum into a Beverly Hills apartment house. The money is supposed to have been turned over to Gayelord Hauser, who in turn is supposed to have turned it over to a friend. The idea being that the friend would purchase it in his name and the most famous landlady in America would remain a mystery. EVEN his buddies were pretty surprised when Franchot Tone married the eighteen-year-old Jean Wallace — who is just half Franchot's age. Since his last serious operation Franchot has been lonely. No more night life for him, doctor's orders. Undoubtedly he wanted someone to share that beautiful home he rented from Hedy Lamarr and furnished to perfection. Had he married one week sooner, Franchot would have taken his vows on the anniversary of his marriage to Joan Crawford. By the way, they say Franchot has the Here are scenes from "Mr. Bug Goes To Town," Paramount's new feature-length cartoon, produced by Max Fleischer. It is a radical departure from previous feature-length cartoons since it is neither fantasy nor fable, but a dramatic, modern story. It's the tale of the fight for life today of a community of little people (called insects by humans) who live in a patch of earth right off Broadway, surrounded by the cement and steel world created by the menace they fear most — the human race. The story is told from the insects' viewpoint. The cartoon introduces such characters as Honey Bee, Bumble, and Hoppity. youngest mother-in-law in Hollywood. 'Tis rumored she's exactly Franchot's age! THEY'RE closing their ranch. Lucille Ball is taking an apartment in Hollywood. Desi Arnaz is going out on a long personal appearance tour. This is their story and they insist that nothing is the matter. Those who know them think differently. The reports are that Lucille and Desi have had many quarrels. Some of them have been in public. Intimates infer the cause is jealousy. Maybe that old one about absence making the heart grow fonder, still has some merit. We hope so. Lucille and Desi are nice people. IUPE VELEZ admits that she's making I— Marlene Dietrich burn. Lupe also admits that she doesn't mind a bit. The reason? Lupe's native charms have won her the attention of Erich Remarque, one of Marlene's closest friends and most constant escorts. In all fairness to Marlene, it may be true but her face doesn't show any great signs of suffering when she's out with Jean Gabin. None of the parties concerned are exactly shrinking violets. So I guess we can all stick to our knitting. DESPITE that square-cut diamond worn on Ann Sheridan's third finger, left hand, there's every indication that her romance with George Brent has lost some of its fervor. Ann is being seen out quite a bit, usually unescorted, in a large group of friends. They say that George's isolation and hermit existence are beginning to tell on the fun-loving Sheridan. She enjoys parties and mixing with people. In the two years' time they have been together, Ann and George have been out about a half dozen times. Only time and a little guy named cupid actually know what's going to happen ! DESPITE those denials to the contrary, close friends of Neal Lang will tell you that his marriage to Martha Raye hasn't quite lived up to his original expectations. Neal gave up a good job in the east to be near his bride. Those who are supposed to know, say he is very much in love with Martha. The rampageous Raye has certainly never been anything but herself around Neal, or anyone else. So everyone is wondering what happened after marriage to throw such a damper. In the meantime, they're trying to work it out. ONE of the nicest guys in all Hollywood is Bob Taylor. In "Johnny Eager," Bob Sterling had a very difficult dramatic scene. Naturally he was nervous and worried. When it was over, Bob Taylor, standing on the sidelines, rushed into the scene and clasped Sterling's hand. "That was great, Bob," said the other Bob. "No one could have done it better." Bob Sterling, one hundred and eighty pound hunk o' man, had such a lump in his throat he couldn't even say thank you. WE LIKE Bob Hope's latest ambition. He wants to cross a carrier pigeon with a woodpecker. So it can knock on the door when it delivers a letter ! BECAUSE hospitals know skin infections are so contagious, when Ann Sothern got makeup poisoning they put her in a tiny room in the isolation ward. It's on the ground floor, way in the back of the building. Because there was no room for the many baskets of flowers, Ann sent them upstairs to the people in the wards. During her week in the hospital, Ann had daily visits from either Cesar Romero or Bob Sterling. The boys alternated, so's "Maisie" wouldn't have time to get lonesome. (Please turn to page 9) 6