Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 59

THE HARTFORD COURANT OCTOBER 6, 1940. 3' 4 1 'r (i A -v I I I i --A STIRLING HAVDEN VERONICA LAKE ROBERT STERLING GENE TIERNEY AU BY HAROLD HEFFERNAN Hollywood Wampas or no Wampas, baby stars are very much back in the Hollywood limelight today. Heads of six major studios, entering the last quarter of 1940 production, paused to pay homage to their discoveries by selecting from the 50 or more bright prospects uncovered by talent departments a round dozen six girls and six boys "most likely to succeed" in their tjuest of screen careers. These white-haired boys and girls of 1940 and the studios presenting them as outstanding candidates are: June Preisser and John Shelton, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Veronica Lake and Stirling Hayden, Paramount.

Gene Tierney and Robert Sterling, Twentieth Century-Fox. Joan Leslie and Arthur Kennedy, Warner Brothers. Peggy Moran and Robert Universal. Renee Haal and James Craig, RKO. In naming their own choices for top honors, studio executives took up where the Wampas, a disbanded organization of press agents, left off some 10 years back.

Annual -selections of the Wampas proved nationally famous- and most prophetic for the young women so honored. During those eight years that the publicity pickers flourished, elevating 15 girls at each balloting, about 50 went on to become important personalities on the screen. A dozen or more remain headliners today. Of the half dozen feminine newcomers liked best by their employers, three are brunettes, two are blondes and one Joan Leslie is a flaming red-head. Their birthplaces are in various sections of the country.

Not one was born in Los Angeles. The season's male upstarts form a rangy groupall answering the insistent call of fandom for tall, rugged types, not too ugly, but still not too pretty. Arthur Kennedy is the "shorty" of the pack, standing a mere 72 inches, while Stirling Hayden commands the air with his six-feet-five, the tallest hero in films today. Two were born right on Hollywood's doorstep, Los Angeles, the others in eastern states. Taking the ladies first, here's a brief what's-what on the studio's own "baby" choices for 1941: June Preisser born in New Orleans, 18 years ago.

Blonde, blue-eyed. Starting at nine and continuing until two years ago, she danced professionally with her sister. Sings, dances and flip-flops. First attracted fan attention through baby-talk role in "Babes In Arms." Appears currently with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in "Strike Up the Band." Looms as MGM's leading "baby" bet for 1941, Joan Leslie born in Detroit, 15V; 'ears a' is real of group. During three years in films has been successively Joan Brodell (real name), Joan Brooks and now Joan Leslie.

Pretty, red-headed and with poise and talent far beyond years, Warner Brothers gave her second feminine lead in "High Sierra." She'll be Humphrey Bogart's leading woman in his next. Renee Haal born in New York, 21 years ago. Of French and Dutth ancestry, she's a medium-tall brunette with perhaps the most beautiful eyes of any Hollywood actress. Modeled for soft drinks, cigarettes. Face on billboard caught eye of RKO executive.

Five feet, five, with 118 well-distributed pounds, Renee is excellent swimmer, equestrienne, dancer, singer and conversationalist a sort of press agent's dream. Played bit role in Dance, Girl Dance," and now draws lead in "Let Find A Song." Peggy Moran born in Clinton, Iowa, 21 yeais ago. Tirst signed when she played small role in Deanna Durbm's "First Love." Development Vapid in 1940, roles in eight different pit-, tures indicating she's headed for big things. She's five feet, four, weighs 115 pounds, has brown hair. One of many Joe Pasternak discoveries at Universal.

Veronica Lake born in Lake Placid, New York, 20 years ago. Worked in bit roles in four pictures at four studios under name of Constance Keane. Searching for fiery type of glamour prospect, Paramount tested her less than month ago and assigned hei to heroine role of aerial epic, "I Wanted Wings," opposite Ray Milland and William Holden. Slightest physically of sextette, Veronica is very blonde, weighs only 98 pounds and stands five feet, three inches. Gene Tierney born in Brooklyn, 19 years ago.

Brunette, five feet, three, weight 114 pounds. Daughter of New York socialite family, made first theatrical impression as Broadway ingenue lead in "The Male Animal." Signed by Twentieth Century-Fox; played only feminine role in cast of "The Return of Frank James," now with Paul Muni in "Hudson's Bay." Determination and real ability mark her as strong contender. As usual, screen scouts found male possibilities scarce and equipped with much less training and natural talent. But here's the low-down on the six top boys selected by their respective studios: Stirling Hayden-born in Montchir, N. 24 years ago.

Came to Hollywood last June with absolutely no experience. Until July 17, when shooting started on "Virginia" at Paramount, he had never been before a movie camera. Has never been on stage, either. In fact he's never played so much as spear-bearer in high school drama or ise man in Sunday School pageant. Tallest of the screen candidates, he's six feet, five inches, has blond hair and sea-blue eyes.

Discovered by a director aboard a yacht. John Shelton born in Los Angeles, 22 years ago. Six feet, one, brown hair and eyes, weighs 170 pounds. Schooled in Hollywood, tried four years to find studio work, then thumbed way East and into stage play. Thus he attracted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's attention.

Recently scored hit opposite Lana Turner in "We Who Are Young." Slated for star parts in 1941. Robert Sterling born in Newcastle, 21 years ago. Six feet, one and one-half, dark hair, blue eyes, weighs 175 pounds. Grabbed on rebound by Twentieth Century-Fox from Columbia after latter studio tested him for "Golden Boy." Has played in three films this year and may get big parts soon. Changed name from William G.

Hart to prevent possible confusion with old-time western hero, William S. Hart. Robert Stack born in Los Angeles, 21 years ago. Six feet, one, blond and blue-eyed, weighs 178 pounds. Became famous in opening film as first hero to bestow kiss on lips of Deanna Dur-bin.

Appearing in. Los Angeles stock, he was spotted by Univer-sal scout. Famous as skeet champion before coming to screen. Fan mail already second only to Deanna's at studio. Arthur Kennedy bora in Worcester, 26 years ago.

Six feet even; he's lean and blond. Drafted by Warner Brothers from New York stage, played role of Jimmy Cagney's younger brother in "City For Conquest," his first film start. His bosses think he's best prospect in town. James Craig born in Nashville, 24 years ago. Six feet, two, has black hair, brown eyes, weighs 192 pounds.

Played in Los Angeles little theater group and signed by Paramount. Progress there too slow, he picked up and went to New York to play featured role in "Missouri Legend." When RKO began testing for maie lead opposite Ginger Rogers in "Kitty Foyle, Craig seemed perfect prototype. So studio signed him not only for single role, but to term ticket. Unless a lucky studio "pulls one out of the hat" in the next three months here are the foremost nominees for movie fame in 1941. It will be interesting a year hence to check the accuracy or inaccuracy on the part of the Hollywood prophets.

(NANA, Inc.) l'. 6 A RENEE HAAL JAMES CRAIG JUNE PREISSER JOHN SHELTON ML A ARTHUR KENNEDY JOAN LESLIE 1 if i-J i I -if wt. 4 I I I PEGGY MORAN ROBERT STACK.