Media History Digital Library (1944)

WlcthlLyn maxwsdl MJ r ARILYN MAX¬ WELL is a girl who earned distinction by saying "no" to Hollywood. While singing with Buddy Rogers' orches¬ tra, she was asked to sign a picture con¬ tract. She replied "no," — she didn't have the talent. Two years later, she finally agreed to take a screen test. She did and was signed to a long term contract. Then, when named to play the lead¬ ing feminine role in Salute to the Marines, starring Wallace Beery, she again said "no," — she wasn't ready yet. Finally, she suc¬ cumbed and agreed to try the part. And now she's hailed as one of Hollywood's best bets for stardom. The start of Marilyn's screen career was dramatic as it was sudden. One week she was singing in Cleveland on one of Uncle Sam's bond selling programs. The next she was in Robert Taylor's arms. Rare, and for¬ tunate indeed, is the screen newcomer who is cast opposite Bob Taylor in her debut. But Marilyn was. After signing her contract in Cleveland, she headed for Hollywood. She dashed from the train to the studio. She met Taylor. Three minutes later she was flirting with him in an opening scene. He responded in the second scene. They danced in the third. In the fourth, she was in his arms. That ended Marilyn's first day before the cameras. It was for scenes in Stand By For Action, M-G-M's saga of the U. S. Navy. and Frances Rafferty, Marilyn was born in the tall corn state, at Clarinda, Iowa. Her musical talents and career are a heritage, for her father, Hal E. Maxwell, and her mother, Anne, are musicians and Marilyn travelled with them on their engagements when she was but a tot. Taller than the usual movie starlet, Marilyn is five feet, six inches in height. Her 125 pounds are distributed in the right places on her shapely figure. She has hazel eyes and striking blonde hair, a combination that makes Technicolor cameramen whoop with joy. Her chief hobby, quite naturally, is music. She has a record library of every type of music, which fills an entire room in her modest home. She's also active in sports. Horseback riding, bowling, and badminton she lists as her favorites. Song writing also is one of her accomplishments. She collaborated in the writing of several popular numbers when she was with Ted Weems' band. Accustomed to working hard, she has been devoting herself to two careers since signing with M-G-M. In addition to her screen work she has been appearing regularly on Bing Crosby's radio program and also was the first guest star on Frank Sinatra's air show. Her exceptional singing voice has won her a tre¬ mendous listening audience. She is seen fre¬ quently at the town's quieter bright spots. Her favorite entertainment, however, is still a good movie. She attends a theater several times a week, holding to the theory that is the only way to learn good acting. That Marilyn should be under contract to M-G-M is almost preordained. Leo the Lion is her zodiacal sign. Acting is the second career undertaken suc¬ cessfully by the statuesque Miss Maxwell. She was an accomplished singer before the film capital beckoned. A long career as featured soloist with Amos Ostot's band, and later with Buddy Rogers' and Ted Weems' orchestras established her in the musical world. In addi¬ tion she was a featured singer in radio for seven years. Her career began at the age of sixteen, when she was singing on an amateur radio show in Des Moines, Iowa. There she was heard by bandleader Ostot and her career was under way. Previeus to her discovery, Marilyn was a studious pupil in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, at Cen¬ tral High School and Washington grammar school. In company with two other promising Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starlets, Donna Reed LIFELINES Born, Marvel Marilyn Maxwell, in Clar¬ inda, Iowa, Aug. 3; daughter of Hal E. and Anne Maxwell, musicians; educated, Central High School and Washington gram¬ mar school. Ft. Wayne, Indiana; height, 5 feet, 6 inches; weight, 125 pounds; eyes, hazel; hair, blonde. Singer with Amos Ostot, Buddy Rogers' and Ted Weems’ orchestras; singing star of "Best of the Week" on NBC; radio singer for seven years. Pictures: Stand By For Action, Presenting Lily Mars, Salute To the Marines, 1942; Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case, Swing Fever, 1943; Three Men in White, Lost In a Harem, 1944. [93]