Screenland (Nov 1942-Apr 1943)

lane Withers and Pat Brook know how the boys like to "join in" and always select the songs they know when entertaining service men. GUESS who Victor Mature thinks is the most stunning woman in Hollywood? No, it's not Rita Hayworth. It's Mai Milland, Ray's prematurely-grey fashion plate wife. Vic doesn't even know her, but he thinks Ray Milland is a pretty lucky guy. Recently Mai found out about her unknown admirer. And the way she found out makes it twice as charming. Her informant, of all people, was — Hedy Lamarr. CLARK GABLE would be very happy working for Uncle Sam if curiosity seekers would only give him a break. Clark tries his best to be just one of the men. But hysterical women carry on like mad things the minute he gets one foot out of bounds. Clark's ranch is still being kept up back in Hollywood. A caretaker remains on the place day and night Clark also still retains Carole Lombard's loyal secretary. They say Hollywood's favorite actor has never looked better or handsomer. IT'S Jack Benny's favorite story. He ' visited Ann Sheridan on the "Edge of Darkness" set and broke up the company. There was a little man who spent most of his time wishing. One day a genii appeared and decided to put a stop to the foolishness. He granted the man three wishes and guaranteed they'd come true. The man wished for all the money in the world, to look as handsome as the combined Robert Taylor and Gary Cooper and then, not wishing to be selfish, wished that he might kill Hitler. Sure enough, when the man got home, the floor in every room was covered with gold. He looked in the mirror and he looked like Cooper and Taylor. Just then the phone rang. "Is this the man who wanted to kill Hitler?" a voice asked. "Well, this is your draft board. You've just been made 1-A— so get down here and get going!" TWO tragedies in her life have just about ' convinced Virginia Bruce that she is destined not to find happiness in love. The John Gilbert death occurred while she was still quite young and inexperienced. It grieved her but Virginia eventually got over it. But her love for producer Jack Ruben was deep and lasting. His death was a great shock to Virginia. The writers of Hollywood took up a collection. With the money they are donating one bungalow to the actors' home for the sick and the aged. It will be known as the Jack Walter Ruben bungalow, a tribute to his memory. The Alan Ladds (she's Sue Carol, former silent star, now her husband's agent) arriving for one of movietown's important social events. Jane Withers at "Bit of Sweden" restaurant with Pat Brook, who has his first big role opposite Jane in Republic's "Johnny Doughboy." The hand-holding blonde and gent, above, at one of the special screenings, ore Betty Hutton and Perc Westmore, make-up expert. WHEN Henry Fonda joined the Navy, most surprised person of all was his wife, Frances Fonda. She was right in the middle of furnishing a big home they bought recently. At the time of purchase, "Hank" hadn't faintly hinted he had future plans with Uncle Sam. Plans for completion of the home are now at a standstill. Frances is going to live in a half-empty place until her man comes marchipg home again. MICHELE MORGAN'S dream house is for sale. And Franchot Tone may buy it. When Michele married Bill Marshall, he put his foot down. They were going to fix up their own place and he was going to pay for the furnishing. And that was that. Michele, being much wiser than some Hollywood stars, listed the house with a real estate agent, the very next day. WONDER if Mary Dodson, beautiful model, will be the lucky girl to occupy Cesar Romero's unfinished bridal suite ? He met Mary at the Fred MacMurrays and they've been seeing a lot of each other ever since. In taking Mary to theaters and previews, Cesar no longer has to insist on seats in the last row of the house. Previously, when Carmen Miranda was his lady for the evening, those vegetable plates she wore on top of her turbans blocked out the view of the paying customers. They loved Carmen — but not enough to look at the back of her head all evening.