Screenland (Nov 1941-Apr 1942)

Why a beautiful girl who oan loll as gracefully as Maria Montez, above, has to paddle •~*<v,_ her own canoe is beyond us. Maria, the South American siren, has her first important role as the jungle princess in "South of Tahiti," and will do an interpretation of the first fan dance — as it was danced 3000 years ago and as it still is being done in the islands today. In other words the "fan dance" is old stuff. However, its technique differs slightly from Sally Rand's dance. Left, reading from top, James Cagney, George Tobias, and Dennis Morgan in uniform for their roles in "Captains of the Clouds," starring Cagney, and filmed with cooperation of the Royal Canadian Air Force and shows how Britain trains pilots for war service. HENRY FONDA is a frustrated jitterbug. After practising many nights at home, thinking he was pretty good, he decided to go to the Palladium. "Get a load of grandpop," cracked two young things, as they cavorted by. Henry is now concentrating on the waltz. ROMANCE blooms and how, for Ann Rutherford. Young Tom May, son of the department store owner, says it with orchid plants — instead of the flower alone. Result, Ann has built her own glass-house and now supplies all her friends who can't afford the expensive corsages. An orchid to Tom May for being so original ! THE case of Lew Ayres is amusing to everyone — but Lew. With each succeed* ing "Dr. Kildare" picture, Lew speaks more and more like Lionel Barrymore Lew never knew it, because he never goes to see_ himself on the screen. A studic executive suggested that he find out for himself. Actually it's unintentional imitation. Lew admires Lionel so much, he just sounds like him unconsciously. Lew doesn'1 know what to do about it, because he intends remaining a friend of Barrymore's | for a long, long time. AN ACADEMY . Award for Roberii •* Young? No one is more deserving and it's predicted that Bob's characterization ir "H. M. Pulham, Esq." is, to put it mildly magnificent As a pot-bellied, drooping moustached old codger of fifty, Bob get; applause from the crew after every take He worked without a day off and sufferec through a strep throat infection. All oi which proves once a thoroughbred, always a thoroughbred. DESPITE the pleas of playwright Moss Hart, Helen Broderick (Brod Crawford's Maw) refused to go to New Yorl and be starred in the new Hart play When Moss argued (over the very expensive long distance phone) that it would be the greatest role of her career, Helen retorted : "That's where you're wrong. I'rr | going to play the greatest role of my ca reer right here in Hollywood. I'm going to be a grandmother." Even Moss Han agreed that he couldn't top that one. Brod': new picture is "North to the Klondike." RECENTLY the new Garbo picture \va: sneak-previewed in Long Beach. Thf next day the producer was seen walking across the lot. His face was set in a heavj scowl. His footsteps dragged. "How die the picture go over last night?" eagerlj inquired Red Skelton. "I didn't like it,' answered the producer as he shook hi: head sadly. "But the audience loved it!' "Don't you let them get away with it!' shouted Red. "Make it over!" UNTIL she became important enough foi interviews, Alexis Smith was nevei conscious of the fact that she is a tall girl After the tenth interviewer had asked hei if she had suffered untold agonies because of her height, Alexis cracked: "Honestly they've made me feel so tall, I'm going to apply to Gary Cooper and see if I cai get the job of replacing Slim Talbot, hi: stand-in, who has gone back to being cowboy !" CRED MacMURRAY is counting hi: r lucky stars — as well as thanking them After searching for months, Mrs. Mac Murray finally found an early Americai chandelier. The day it was hung, Frei came home early. Being the tall type, h< walked smack into it and smashed it t( bits. Luckily it just missed his eyes. Bu Fred's only concern was for his wife's dis appointment and loss. Yes, he's that kinc of a husband. THE case of Robert Cummings is a Strang: one. When he isn't working in two pic tures at one time, his services are being demanded by every other studio beside his own. In comparison to his box-ofno value, it is said that Bob's salary is an un usually small figure. It is also said thr his studio gets many times the amount thei pay him, when he is loaned out to com petitors. Bob is a peace-loving guy. Alsc a grateful one. But he isn't very happ} with his present set-up, so you can expec to see fireworks. But soon. 58