Screenland (Jul-Dec 1948)

Maura Shearer. Gradually, plain interest turns into an obsession that through him she will become the most famous ballet star the world has ever known. Unfortunately, love has no part in his scheme, so when she falls in love with the composer of a ballet, "Red Shoes," Walbrook gives her a choice — career, or marriage. She chooses marriage, but eventually her love for dancing lures her back to the stage — not to fame, but to tragedy. There's a lot of excellent dancing, especially in "Red Shoes," which is based on a Peter Grimm fairytale. Miss Tatlock's Millions Paramount A HILARIOUS picture about a fortune left to a half-witted heir, known to be dead only by his keeper, Barry Fitzgerald. Afraid that it will come out that he has been taking his salary under false pretenses all these years, Barry hires John Lund to impersonate the dead half-wit. From there on, the farce goes its merry way to a surprise ending that sets everything straight, including John's phony idiocy. Besides Lund and Fitzgerald, the cast includes names like Wanda Hendrix, Ilka Chase, Monty Woolley, Robert Stack and Dorothy Stickney, all of whom turn in creditable performances. The Decision Of Christopher Blake Warner Brothers WHEN an imaginative 12-year-old boy, Ted Donaldson, returns from camp to discover his parents are in the throes of divorce proceedings, he realizes he has to choose between his mother or father. Given to day-dreaming, his solutions to the dilemma take fantastic shapes and forms in some very clever dream scenes. However, when actually asked to decide by Judge Cecil Kellaway, young Ted pulls the sort of nifty which makes you wonder about the juvenile tendencies of so-called adults. Despite the tear-jerker story, there's a lot of There she sits, weaving away and looking more glamourous with every shove of the shuttle. — o — When her 20th Century -Fox bosses saw Betty Lynns performance in "June Bride" (only her second picture, too) they issued an order: "No More Loanouts." Now they've given her Linda Darnell's hairdresser, their best makeup man and a new dressing room. While making "Mother Is A Freshman," Betty celebrated her 21st birthday. The crew bought her a $50 birthday cake, so you know how they all adore her. If Ann Blyth gets the lead opposite Bing Crosby in "Diamond In The Haystack," she can thank Lady Luck. Ann, who's mighty talented, wasn't originally matter-of-fact good humor which makes for more than being merely a preachment against divorce. Sealed Verdict Paramount IT'S REALLY amazing how you can sit through a picture and not have the faintest idea what's going on. Ray Milland is an Army prosecutor at the trial of a Nazi bigwig in Germany, that we know. A newcomer, Themis Marley, has an accent and is a girl, that we know, too, but everyone else is enmeshed in mysterious doings and what they are is hard to say. However, you do get told some Nazi collaborators were really nice people and if a German fraulein happens to ^shoot a GI in the back because she thinks he's running out on her, then his parents will forgive the poor child. There must be a moral to the story somewhere — if you find it, let me know. Kidnapped Monogram SLOW-MOVING, the story, based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, picks up occasionally as Roddy MacDowall braves a lot of trouble and adventure. When he suddenly appears to claim his rightful heritage, a mean old uncle, in order to keep the estate, has Roddy kidnapped by a pack of out and out cutthroats. Roddy goes through a lot, that's true, but anyone older than 12 won't appreciate his misfortunes. One Touch Of Venus Universal THIS is a not-too-good musical with Dick Haymes, Ava Gardner, and Robert Walker. Walker is his cute self as the man who falls in love with Ava, who is really out of this world — and there's nothing wrong with that except that his life becomes very complicated, indeed. Don't expect anything too special from this, but see it if you don't mind sitting through another "average" picture. tested for the part. Bing was searching for the projection room to see the girls who had tested. By mistake, he opened the wrong door. There on the screen was Ann in "Mr. Peabody And The Mermaid." Bing, who seldom sees movies, had never seen Ann before. He stayed until the end of the picture, and that's how movie jobs are born! The high cost of building being what it is, had a serious effect on Joan Fontaine and Bill Dozier. They had to add on a nursery for their expected baby and the lowest estimate was almost as much as the original cost of their house. At those prices there was only one thing to do. They had to spend the money, so they built a nursery that would accommodate four children — if necessary. From now on, no one will have to ask their close friends "what's new" with the Doziers!! — o — When we reported that Greer Garson was fast becoming one of the gayest gals in town, we weren't fooling. Now it's jokes, yet! When they were lining up stars to appear with the circus, (to raise money for St. John's Hospital) Greer was asked if she'd ride on an elephant. " Why it's the only way I travel," she deadpanned. "I like my trunk in front — .so / can keep my eye on it!" — o — Despite all those rumors, it was just recently that Jane Wyman had a "date" with Lew Ayres. And it wasn't very romantic! In the backyard of her new home, there's an open-air playroom that Jane's using for a studio. Lew heard about it and one day showed up with paint, brushes and easel. For three hours not a word of conversation was exchanged. They just sat there in front of their canvases — painting an apple! — O — Hollywood Story: Back in 192G when Joan Crawford arrived in Hollywood. Katherine Albert, a young MGM publicist met the train. The two girls remained fast friends during these 22 years. Now, Katherine is back in Hollywood with her 14-year-old daughter, Joan Eunson, named after Joan Crawford. This time it was Joan Crawford who met the train! Henceforth her namesake will be known as Joan Evans. She's been discovered by Producer Samuel Goldwyn and will take up where Cathy O'Donnell left off. She's never faced a camera, yet Joan Evans is being co-starred with Farley Granger in "Roseanna McCoy." It reads like a movie script, doesn't it? — o — Loretta Young wouldn't like it — but every girl should be married to Tom Lewis. When she was on location in Reno, Nevada, for "Mother Is A Freshman," Loretta's handsome husband flew up to see her on their anniversary. With him he brought — a mink coat! Tom could only remain for an hour. Then he flew back to his duties of advertising executive again. — o — We don't know why Greer Garson divorced Richard Ney, but we do know he's one of the most whimsical young men in Hollywood. He's seldom without a book and we even saw him at a bar — reading poetry! When he invites a young lady for dinner, Richard's idea of a good time is to cook it for her. They say he's excellent, too. However, when he reads out loud to them for the balance of the evening, that's another story. (Pun intended!) — O — Prediction: That Scott Brady his right name is Gerard Tierney and he's Lawrence's brother) is going to be our next screen sensation. Blond, six foot, two inch Scott is handsome, virile, friendly and unspoiled as a puppy. That's why he thought his agent, John Darrow. was ribbing him, when he said he could arrange a test with Joan Crawford for "Flamingo Road." Scott tested, but they decided he looked too young for the part. In the meantime, "Canon City," his first and only movie, is bringing in tons of fan mail. Gossip In The Lobby Continued from page 10 Screen land PRINTED IN THE U. S. A. BY THE CUNEO PRESS, INC.