Silver Screen (Nov 1938-Apr 1939)

ing fame have at times been projected toward glory and riches in a few moments via the test route, and the young and beautiful have fallen by the wayside. Remember Minnie Dupree? Years ago she was a Broadway leading lady; later a character actress. A scout for David O. Selznick saw her in New York, sent her by plane to Hollywood and she took a test the night of her arrival. The following morning at 7:00 o'clock Selznick saw the results in the projection room, and by eight o'clock Minnie was under contract for "The Young in Heart" at a salary exceeding her fondest hopes. Long past the flush of youth when she could expect to reach greater heights, she was catapulted to fame literally overnight. Pretty Peg Entwhistle made a test, believed it a failure and, heartbroken, trudged off into the dark hills of Hollywood one night. She climbed to the very top of There Is Only One Way To Find Out What The Camera Will Reveal. And So The Stars Are Tested Over and Over Again. the HOLLYWOODLAND sign that shines above the film city, poised herself for a last look at the sparkling panorama below, and leaped. Next morning she was found, a crushed and broken thing at the foot of the sign — victim of a screen test. The most poignant thing about this tragedy is that at the moment Peg was preparing for her final act, the studio was paging her for a contract. Producers considered for April 1939 Edward Arnold and Norma Shearer in "Idiot's Delight." Old-timers, tried and true, yet they had to be tested for these roles. It's just part of the business. A scene from "Dark Victory," with George Brent and Bette Davis. George fell heir to the heroic role in this film coveted by Basil Rathbone. her test a great success. Often the tests that seem poorest to a novice may look best to those who understand them. In testing a beginner, the studios look not only for acting ability, but also for personality, photogenic qualities, a hundred things that the subject may know nothing about. As a rule, screen players are drilled for months before being given assignments. They are taught to walk, wear clothes, use their hands, speak. They become adept technically at the art of acting. But if they lack a certain God-given spark, they are doomed to failure. It is this inborn qual ity— a hidden fire, the ability to project themselves strongly onto the screen — for which producers look in a test. Never until after a test has been made can this quality be seen, and then it is usually recognized only by experts. There are so many varieties of tests that fans, like our Paducab correspondent, may be confused on the subject. The beginner's talent test is entirely different from other kinds. After such a test has been approved, the aspirant may have many others before given a role; voice tests, face tests (both quiet and talking, to determine how the lips photograph in motion), hand, eye, leg tests. It is this tearing apart process that makes tests an ordeal. So many things might be wrong! Many top-ranking stars would be insulted if asked to prove acting ability. They look upon tests as mere necessary routine. As Anita Louise says : "Tests are always annoying, but we know they are important and suffer through them accordingly." Tests of established players fall into two classes: those for definite roles, and character tests. In the first class, take a look at "Gone With the Wind"— unless they hurry and produce it this is as good a look as you'll get. Jimmy Ellison says everyone has been rumored cast for the picture except his pooch, Godfrey, and he's angling for a test for Godfrey now! As a matter of fact, very few tests have actually been made, despite rumors. Clark Gable was given the part of Rhett Butler without one; likewise Walter Connolly, who later relinquished his part. When Clark is actually on the "G.W.T.W." payroll, he will start making a dozen kinds of tests : costume tests to determine which garments are most becoming to him and which fabrics photograph best; head tests to decide which hair-do of the period is best suited to him. He may spend an entire day, or two or three, experimenting to perfect methods for handling his role as to lighting, camera angles and other details. All these experiments will be filmed exactly as though for the finished production. To my personal knowledge, those who have actually [Continued on page 66] 33 \