Big Spring Daily Herald from Big Spring, Texas • Page 3

0,10 TODAY "AH Baba Hit 40 Thiwt" Universal presents Maria Jon Hall, Turham Bey in Technicolor spectacle with Kurt Katch, Andy Devine, Jon grows up among the thieves who are trying to restore Bagdad's iiiches back from the cruel ruler, Kurt and his Mongolian people. Maria falls la love with the bandit Bey her bodyguard fives her ttew hope; their plans go awry when Ramsay Ames betrays them. save her father, Frank FngUa, Maria to marry Katch. elaborate wedding is then planned; the phut an attack. attack In carried on successfully, Bagdad Is freed and to his throne as Prince.

Maria and Jon find happiness. MeeiUiA Wftfc Ltiit Rotado Studio officials don't always guess right. They turn guy down because his ears are big and he becomes a Clark Gable on another lot. They use a girl for leg art and let her go and she becomes an Ann Sheridan somewhere else. A few years ago there was a kid named Joan Brodel kicking around the RKO lot doing bits.

Between scenes she put the gold braces back on her teeth. Give her a contract indeed, said the bosses. Sure she can dance a little and sing little and play the accordion i little, but what of it. Hundreds of girls around can do well or better. Sure it happened.

She went away. Changed her name to Joan Leslie, got a contract that paid seventy-five a week at Warners. And the next thing you knew she was playing opposite Gary Cooper "Sergeant York" and Jimmy Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Then it happened again. RKO brought her' back to the lot to play opposite Fred Astaire in "The Sky's the Limit." At the moment, Joan is five feet, five inches tall. She weighs, jtoughly speaking, ny pounds and you never saw nj pounds put to better use.

Her hair is titian and her mother is afraid its ting darker as the years go on. When Joan was shortly after she was was red gold. Shears have never touched it, to speak of. She is the youngest of the three dancing and singing Brodel sisters. For years the three of them toured the country and Canada in a vaudeville act.

When she was ten years old, Joan went to the Cotton Club in New York to watch Bill'Robinson dance. After an hour or so she got up and did all his routines. It was this photographic mind that enabled her to be cheered as the best partner Fred Astaire had since his dancing days with Ginger Rogers. She wears a size six shoe and outing flannel pajamas. The pajamas may not add to her beauty tut they are warm these cold nights out in the San Fernando valley.

That's where she lives, in a six-room house with her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. John Brodel, and her sister Betty, whith whom Joan shares a bedroom. She sleeps without a pillow and with the windows wide open. She good natured when she wakes up and if the need arises, she can her own breakfast.

But she can't cook worth a whoop, ac- to her knits but doesn't know how to sew on Buttons, tf that's the kind of a wife you're looking for. Once she tried to iron one of her father's shirts so now they send them to the laundry. Easier on the shirts. The Brodels have no servants. Father helps mother with Betty and Joan run the vacuum cleaner.

A man comet and then to mow the lawn but who knows how long will last these days. Joan has a car of her own and a bicycle. night a week she goes to the Hollywood canteen for three hours and the lines form to the right. Half the cadets at the Sana Ana Air are in love with her and want to marry her. At the foment says she is too b-jsy for romance but you know how jroung women are.

1 Joan made her stage debut at the age of two singing "Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella." Mrs. Brodel says she was cute too, Xkc lirtlc tike up there on the stage singing that song and hitting single note. She got her first screen offer when a talent scout her in Ben Marsdcn's Riviera in New York. Joan took the 0.fiV but nothing came out of it. It wasn't for a year that she began getting little parts here and there.

Today she has quite an imposing list of screen credits fo her name, each adding to her ability and now she has just finished in at Warners a picture which adds another laurel to the Ciittst ladv of the scrrcn. II fy KAY BAKONi C. Fields, wae of the funniest entertainers, who's been out of circulation in the Hollywood studios for the past year and a half, been ostracised," says Bill) is back at work playing himself La Universal'i "Three for the Boys." Not since "Never Give i Sucker an Even Break" has Universal City seen Bill, and at the' time, frankly, neither he nor the studio was anxious to meet again soon. Bill had made it plain that he preferred to do his acting somewhere away from the vicinity of Charlie McCarthy, Baby LeRoy or any other cinema character, including even Marlene Dietrich. But times have to has Bill.

Down jo pounds in weight quit eating candy," he explains) and only chewing on his cigars instead of smoking them, W. C. was new ready to work. The scene was the post exchange hut of any army camp wherein Bill was to entertain the boys. Director Edward Sutherland, indicated door at the right, told Bill to enter the scene through it, with the cameras starting as Bill made his entrance.

From there on, no one, including the director, knew what to expect. Bill shuffled out the door. But on cue for his entrance, he didn't come in. Instead Sutherland, heard an itage singing. "Sunday Monday and always," sang Bill.

Then as he came through the door, "give me -my boots and bottle." Inside the hut, Bill discovered a pool table, also a fellow playing a piano. On the piano was a "kitty" box, full of contributions for the pianist. Bill put in jo cents, took out all the.change and pocketed it. Approaching the cue rack, hs took a cue. But it was bent like cork screw.

Bill looked at it blankly, put it back and took another. "Now for my first shot," Bill he made tht shot instead of explaining. He shot the cue ball the length of the table; it bounced off the far cushion, flew hit Bill in the head. "Who threw that?" he demanded of his soldier audience. Getting no answer he went ahead.

Picking up two balls and spotting them on the table, he announced: 'This will be a message shot. Message taken, from the French. I rub this ball thusly." Lifting the- cue high, he shot down a his cue went right through the table, coming out at the side. Extracting the cue with difficulty. Bill looked around guiltily and made for the bowed and smashed hij straw hat as he closed the door on it.

'Then he squeezed out. Into the distance faded, "Sunday, Monday and me my boots and bottle." Margie Hart Is now enjoying a vacation while her next picture for Monogram which is now in final preparation. By Jerry Cahill "A Woman of the Town" Harry Sherman presents a colorful story w'rth Claire Trevor, Albert Dekker, Barry Sullivan and Henry Hull. Harry'Sherman's "Woman of the Town," is the kind of a picture which evolves every phase of entertainment. It has action, romance and adventure and laughs.

The picture has been deftly directed by George Archainbaud, through whose ability in thii capacity is responsible for bringing out the best performances the stars and players in the picture have given and his careful handling has brought to the screen a new personality, Barry Sullivan, who scores a terrific personal hit. How much fiction has been injected into the story of the famous "Bat" Masterson, we don't know. But his story is one full of adventure and of an undying love. When he arrives in Dodge City looking for a job in the town's newspaper, he finds himself in a town where lawlessness ran rampant. His amazing ability to handle a gun, pleases the men trying to enforce the law and the marshall badge is forced upon him.

He meets Dora Hand, a saloon entertainer who is being persecuted by'a group of gossiping women. At heart Dora is a fine woman, proving herself by taking active part in various of the community's charities, thereby winning the respect from the Reverend. It is the Reverend who finally brings Between pictures, Jean time ont for a little loafing, Sullivan can't believe what he hears from Dekker, but decides to face the music. Dekker leaves town to become a newspaperman. the busybodies a thought of tolerance towards this woman.

Fighting for her affections is King Kennedy, a rich cattleman who finds excitement in disrupting the law. King gives plenty of headaches and his disrespect for law and order brings his own doom and that of the woman he loved. Albert Dekker plays "Bat" Masterson, the man who had one love and who after bringing Kennedy to justice hurried his gun and never used it again. Moviegoers are going to be pleased to see Dekker in a role which offers him his best break to date. He is quite a romantic figure and should he be given more opportunities like this, the screen would have a leading man with plenty of character.

Claire Trevor's performance of Dora Hand is a superior job. Never has she looked lovelier or given a better portrayal. Newcomer Barry Sullivan leaves a definite impression. The screen has a new star in him. His smooth acting is the stuff that makes stars in Hollywood.

The competent cast, all shining in their respective roles include, Henry Hull, Porter Hall, Percy Kilbride, Arthur Hohl, Marion Martin, George Cleveland, Beryl Wallace, Tedi Sherman, Clem Bevans, Claire Whitney and Herbert Rawlinsofl. AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPHS OF YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE STARS ffe are offering to ail readers of Hollywood Today an entire new list of photographs of the stars who have scored great successes in recent. jjing Crosby James Cagney Bed Skeiton Rosalind Russell Robert Taylor Donald O'Connor Abbott and Costello Linda Darnell Gree? Carson Joan Crawford Bill Boyd Ann Sheridan Bette Davis Joan Fontaine Dennis Morgan Ida Lnpino Paulette Goddard. It Is easy for you to secure any one or all of these pictures for all you have to do is write to "Hollywood Today," 6406 Selina Hollywood 28, Callr. and enclose 10 cents in coin for each picture deslwtf to cover mall- ing cost or 25 cents for three pictures.

Your Request Will Be Promptly Filled But Remember It Is Necessary To Mention This Newspaper 1 (PV Bj rwtcM SWIM surr PREVIEW While rain ami cold wind, contributed to the wintry scene out- tide it was summertime in- tide the Town House in Los geles when the Catalini Knitting Mills presented a bathing suit fashion show preview for the benefit of the press, buyers and newi photographers. Scmlly The a sion was made doubly enjoyable by a well rounded out program including 'funster Chark: Irwin as emcee, soft Hawaiian music arid twenty Earl Carroll beauties as models. SHOW IN THREE PARTS The show, divided in three parts, presented sweaters first, then old fashioned suits from 1870 up to 1932. This part of the program had model laughing along with the audience. Then the finale was the latest swim togs for 1944.

The new creations colorful and feminine than in previous years with many of the popular suits still in the line. Another important item included an assurance from the president of the company that Uncle Sam has given his permission for addition- al rubber for bathing suits. BEACH SCENE 1944 If you'd like a shorty preview of the beach scene for this summer, here it Seersucker, as well as other cotton fabrics, in suits featuring self ruffles white pique with huge floral designs on the skirt and shoulders colorfully designed tricot suits, which incidentally feels' just like silk jersey two-way stretch in Catalina's own "live" fabric which is a blend of wool and rayon and feels and looks like velour then firm fitting suits which combine this "live" fabric in back in a dark shade, with white or pastel bengaline in front and accented by a colorful design. All the suits were shown in both one and two piece models. SUIT OF TOMORROW Oh yes I almost forgot the suit of tomorrow.

It was a two piece creation of black lace but don't get too excited. This suit was strictly for the photog- raphers, so don't anticipate lace creations to glamourize the 1944 beach scene. With Dale Drum Doris and Melvin Ingram, Montabbo, Texas Would you please give us the life history of Clark Gable? Clark Gable, who was recently made a Captain in the Army Air Forces, has probably held more different jobs than any other Holiy-- wood actor. At one time or an- bfenVfarmt! oil worker, lumber man, salesman, hop picker, rubber worker and actor. He was born in Cadiz, Ohio.

At the age of IS Clark saw a performance of "The Bird of Paradise" which made him decide to be an actor. He got some work In a road show which finally failed. Then he worked In the Northwest for a while and finally ended up In Hollywood. Since that time he has played hi 'It Happened One (for which he got an Academy Award), "Mutiny On the Bounty," "Gone with the Wind," "Boom Town," and many others. Carole Lombard, his third wife, was Wiled in 1942 in an airplane crash.

Jeanne Simpson, Long Beach, you tell ma the origin of the picture "Beau Geste?" The Paramount picture first written as a book by Percival Wren. Jean Gorver, 415 Wright Ave. you please give me a biography of Ray McDonald? Ray McDonald has earned stardom the hard way. Born in Boston he grew up in New York where he got his first job dancing. In 1938- he scored in "Babes in Arms," but shortly after this was cast in three plays that never even opened- This made Ray think of Hollywood.

Ko met Roger Edens, a talent scout, and was soon given a screen test At first he was given several small parte but recently he rot a break In the picture "Girl with Mickey Rooney. Mo loves dancing and would stalk iff stage for any length of time jnst to watch jSleanor Powell Wfth Inrin AUto Not too many weeks ago, New fork City was the of great dancer. Not too many weeks New York City packed a world famous restaurant to watch in amazement the mad gyrations ol a great ballet performer. And itot too many weeks ago, Hollywood heard of this great artist, heard and was willing be shown. So they wired an offer for a screen test That's the background for the profile of heartbreak.

That's the background of Sarkey Irwlo Allen DeVisinoff, ballet dancer extraordinary, and son of a famous Bussiaii Baron- 'If our story' was less fact and more fiction, weald have happy Hollywood ending. But coining as it does out of real life well, you road the rest of the story and judge for yourself. With the wired offer from Hollywood In his pocket, Sarkey De Vlsinoff caught the first train for the Coast The hum of the wheels played a steady musical background for tfis roseate dreams of new worlds to conquer, a new, fantastic wtiffld called Hollywood. The very first night he arrived in the Bagdad on the Pacific, part of came true. He was asked to perform for several thousands of soldiers at a near-by camp.

And there he started to build a solid pathway up his stairway of dreams for the servicemen responded nobly- They cheered and applauded encore after encore till Sarkep was forced to beg off before he passed out When he returned to his hastily rented apartment he found the first chapter in the profile of a heartbreak. All of his clothes and all of his money had been stolen! He ran' into the street looking for a He found no officer but instead a woman with a stalled car right in the middle of the street. A lifetime of breeding made him itorget his own trouble In order to give a lady in distress some As a resultr came chapter two in the profile of a heartbreak. In trying to help, his arm went through some broken glass. He was rushed to a hospital where thirty-six stitches were taken In the arm the same arm that was part of a man who dreamed the dreams of a world to conquer the same arm that today It in a painful cast.

Sarkey DeVisenoff Is still dreaming, but today he dreams old dreams, dreams of old worlds already conquered. Because he was a gentleman, because he -wanted; to help a woman he 'caused serious Injury to himself and because of that itnjury came chapter three in the profile. of a heartbreak. Sarkey DeVisinoff was not given that screen test for which he had come to Hollywood. The cast on his arm would not permit it without a doubt, this is the profile of a heartbreak.

TAKES BETAKES: There's no truth to the rumor tfcat Massey and her Brazilian multi-millionaire will listen to the wedding bells toll Hollywood stars who gave up their New Year's Eve to entertain the boys in khaki and blue at the Hollywood Canteen deserve a bushel of applause and a personal pat on the back from their Uncle Sam. Among those giving out with the songs and snappy patter were: Kay Kyser Band, Susan Haiyward, Bonlta Granville, Charley Coburn, Jeanette MacDonald, Paxlnou, Home and Gracie Fields. Friends are to re-tie the knot that severed actor Luther Adler and Sylvia Sydney. So far no Former director Frank Capra boosted to Colonel for his service training and propaganda espite rumors to the contrary, Greta Garbo will not return to the screen in the title role of "Lena Storme" Many year end films already under the wire with Watch On the Rhine a clear-cat irtn- ner. Paul Lnkas won unanimous critical acclaim- Deimls Morgan who has been on the outside looking in because of a safargr dispute with his studio will be back inside looking out by the ttme yon read Judy Garland well on the road to recovery.

Doctors feared possible mastoid condition- Shop talk from 'the stork: Sue and Alan Ladd have placed their If a repciat but maybe this time it'll be Ladd. It might be called One Touch of Midas instead of One Touch of Venus as far as Mary Martin is concerned. Besides starring in the smash musical corn- edy, the Merry Martin gal owns a nice slice of the i HAND-TINTED 5x7 AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPH OF FRANK SINATRA For a limited time the readers of "Hollywood Today" may secure a beautiful 0x7 Hand-Tinted Autographed Photograph of FRANK SINATRA who will be appearing soon at your theatre In BKCFs "Higher and Higher." Send 25 cents (no stamps) to cover handling and mailing costs, to "Hollywood Today," 6106 Selma Avenue 28, Hollywood, Calif. Yqur Request Will Be Promptly Filled But Remember It Is Necessary To Mention This Newspaper Lovely and talented Ginger Rogers scores new heights in RKO's "Tender Comrade," which may give her an Oscar.