The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 18

SAN BERNARDINO DAILY SUN, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1935 THEATER NEWSffighiights on stawSTAGE, SCREEN NOTES -Edited by Meta B. Buckner- Eyes of Clamorous Joan Crawford Fixed on Fame As Coal in Theatrical World Since Early Childhood 5tarred in 'Tomboy' Plays, Determined To Be Dancer (Editor's Note A long, rough trail is the road to screen stardom and fascinating are the life stories of actors and actresses who have won their way to the top. In a series of 12 stories, of which this is the first, a dozen of the greatest celluloid stars tell of their struggles toward fame, writing the stories of their careers in their own words.) BY AT the moment, I feel very much like the girl in the film, "Biography of a Bachelor Girl." Remember? She was asked to write the story of her life and didn't know how to begin. "You were born, weren't you?" the editor said sternly. "Begin with that!" So also having been asked to write the story of my life, I shall begin with that.

I was born, then, in San Antonio, in the two-fisted state of Texas. You needn't know what year, although my birthday is March 23. I was promptly nick-named "Billie," heaven knows why. My name was, until the screen changed it, Lucille Le Sueur. I remember nothing about San Antonio, because we moved to Law-ton, when I was 6 months old.

I was reared there, in a rambling brown house on a tree-shaded street. My father was a theater operator and it was in his theater that I first determined to become a dancer. TOMBOY IN OKLAHOMA yUHTLE still in pigtails, I was VV considered a tomboy in Lawton NO FOOLIN' Nailed to the gate of a farm near Santa Cruz where he was on location with the Twentieth Century -Fox company filming "Way Down East," Russell Simpson discovered this sign: "Warning anyone found near my chicken house at night will be found there next morning." Astaire Brings Eric Blore to Hollywood Fred Astaire played sn important part in bringing Eric Blore, noted English comedian to Hollywood where he is now playing in RKO Radio's musical "To Beat the Band." The pair first met in London in 1921 when Astaire and his sister, Adele, were playing in "Stop Flirting." Astaire wanted Blore to join his show then but Blore was unable to. When Blore came to New York Astaire induced him to take a part in "The Gay Divorcee," and when the dancer came to Hollywood to make the screen version of the musical, he sent for Blore, who made a big hit in the picture. In World of Entertainment Tt-uty' UnUKhter" Is th tlile pf the smart ophistiotiH romance rnn Clnlre Trevor ho promises be of tbt tof-otehra soon.

fx 1 4lSP Clair Trevor EO-v v-' 1 Joan Crawford because I preferred playing with boys. They were more imaginative and more enthusiastic about the "actor-shows" we staged in a big barn behind the house. The outstanding memory of my childhood is painful. I was hurrying to play one day when I cut my foot, deep, on a piece of jagged glass. We all went barefoot in Law-ton.

I barely escapld lockjaw and for a time it seemed that I might never walk correctly again, let alone dance. About a year later we moved to Kansas City. I was placed in a convent. I hated it at first, then came to like it. I had been there a year when my mother and father separated.

It was arranged that I should remain in the convent, earning my way by helping in the kitchen and Joe Penner Forgets Coo-Coo At Rehearsals With Dancers HOLLYWOOD, Sept 14. Press agents and trade papers tell us Mr. Joe Penner is about to emote without a duck. This seems to be heresy, on par with Hamlet without poor Yorick. It was only fitting that we step out and see Mr.

Penner about his duck. When I asked Mr. Penner about ducks, I found him surrounded by 200 lovely dames, so I asked what business Mr. Penner had with that many when he's married. It seems Mr.

Penner was rehearsing with all these dolls (they're labelled Leroy Prinz dolls, but they look like same bunch that worked for Sam Goldwyn last year). Mr. Penner, ever the gentleman, thought he should ba on hand to watch the workout. "About these ducks?" I ventured. "No ducks," said Mr.

Penner. "Just one-two-three-skip." "Yes, but about the ducks" "Can you be interested in ducks at a time like this?" he exploded. "I freely admit if it were not for ducks, I would not be where I am Character Actor Recognizes Rights of Deserving Hoboes (By United Press) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 14. Rights of deserving hoboes have at last been recognized by Morgan Wallace, character actor.

Wallace has announced a plan for providing itin erants with camps that will make a national network of rest houses for wandering weary willies. He got the idea on a recent trip to location for his latest film, and was Inspired sufficiently to lay out finances for one chain with the hope the Government may interest itself in the project and form others across the country. Wallace')' plan is merely to establish sites for hoboes, so they won't have to infringe on private property, maintain them at 25 cents a night in pay or waces. "In a few years the whole system would pay for itself," he pointed out. "Kitchens will be provided for cooking, food will be available and those who can't pay will pitch in and work.

"At first there may be a ruah of those who can't pay, but in the I long run the cash income and work should balance." Wallace has interested a half dozen other film colony citizens in the project, and the first "chain" has been planned five "hobo hotels" linking San Francisco and Hollywood. The "hotels" will be in walking distance of each other, and the only requirement tor admission win be mmmf mm serving at the table. I think this sort of social blow is harder for a child than for an adult WORKS FOR EDUCATION TTTHEN I left the convent about a VV year later, I continued this means of "getting educated" at a private school, then later at Stevens college at Columbia, Mo. I liked the college, I had become accustomed to the work, and carrying trays made me appreciate the occasional dance permitted the girls. Intent on dancing professionally (I had won several school cups by this time), I left college and found a full-time job in a Kansas City department store.

Living with my mother, saving every penny possible, I managed to accumulate a small wardrobe. I rehearsed ballroom dancing whenever today so I am very grateful to ducks. But I cannot ba bothered about ducks right now." Then he explained: "You see, in this 'Collegiate' picture, I sing and dance. Consequently it is up to me to learn these routines so I will not be facing the wrong way when 200 beautiful girls kick." I was rapidly losing my interest in ducks when Mf. Penner asked me out to visit Goo-Goo.

Mr. Penner has an elegant bungalow for Goo-Gco and a companion duck. The bungalow is in the middle of the studio lawn. I don't doubt but that this bungalow Is as good as the one Penner himself lives in. "Goo-Goo," said Mr.

Penner, "tell the gentleman about ducks." Goo-Goo said a few Uucky things, none of which is printable. Being a motion picture duck he is in a class by himself. "That's a duck for you," said Mr. Penner, "and if you want to talk duck, go right ahead. I must get I back to my dancing lesson." proof that the itinerant is a bona fide bum.

"Every other 'forgotten man' has been remembered," Wallace said. "It's about time something were done for plain, honest bums." Amateurs Win Yacht Race From Catalina Down at San Pedro there's what is known as the Forty-five Foot Sailing association, made up of yachts which don't belong to the socially-elect. Movie people predominate. The other day they held their annual handicap race from Catalina island. Guess who won? Lee Tracy and Polly Moran! Old Sheriff Nell acquired her boat in the last six months.

Two rank amateurs beat uch veterans as Johnny Weissmuller, whose long hair muat have got caught in the wind; Donald Crisp, Preston Foster, Preton Sturges and Tay Garnett. EAXTER'S NEXT "King of Burlesque," will be Warner Baxter's next starring vehicle for Twentieth Century-Fox, Darryl F. Zanuck, production chief announces. Gene Markey is writing the script from a story by Vina Delmar. DEEP SEA DIVER Cecil B.

De Mille, whose latest film, "The Crusades," Boon will be released to theaters, hag a deep-sea diving outfit aboard hii yacht, the Seaward. Toiled as Waitress To Pay for Her Education I could. I was determined to go on the stage. Finally, a theatrical pro ducer booked me for a show in the middlewest. It must have looked pretty tawdry to a dance-wise audience, but it was a new life for me.

We straggled on in the way theatrical troupes have with a new hope for every disap pointment and somehow a new en gagement for very "resting" period. In time I found myself in Detroit (always nearer New York, you see) dancing in the chorus of a rather good cafe. GETS NEW YORK CHANCE FORTUNATELY a Broadway producer, in town to try out "In nocent Eyes," a new show, was a patron one night. When "Innocent Eyes" opened in New York, I was with it, an anonymous "pony" In the back line. Soon I was in the front line, then earning extra money by "doubling' in a night club after the show.

I was lonely, though, and about to visit my mother in Kansas City again, when Harry Rapf, an M-G-M executive, offered me a screen test. The result was a contract; not, of course, as an important player, but as a girl capable of dancing and playing bits. The rest is a long story, chrono logically; a saga of hard work, excitement, more hard work, and more elation. It. closes with the picture finished just the other day, titled "I Live My Life," directed by W.

S. Van Dyke and with Brian Aherne gracing what we call the "male lead." GRATEFUL FOR SUCCESS TJETWEEN pauses in these para- -L' graphs I've decided it's, a good idea to put one's life on paper. I realize again I have a good deal to be grateful for, and I am grateful. Report or rumor notwithstanding, I genuinely like the motion picture business. It is my whole life.

I hope it continues to be for a long while. GEE WHIZ! To James Dunn, now starring in "Bad Boy" for Twentieth Century -Fox, goes the credit, or otherwise, for the worst "pun of the week. "She's a Whiz Girl," he told Dorothy Wilson, hie leading lady. "Whiz Girl?" "She goes with a cracked the actor, as he ducked for cover. "Gee Whiz!" muttered Dorothy.

VIRGINIA KNITS Between scenes for "Metropolitan," in which she is playing opposite Lawrence Tibbett for Twentieth Century-Fox, Virginia Bruce is madly knitting. She started out to make a sock, but now thinks it may turn into a pull-over sweater. DRAW3 NEW CONTRACT Bobby Vernon, old-time silent comedy star, now a Paramount writer, has been given a new long-term contract. DANCER BACK IN CHORUS yr, 4ff i Ak, -IfW Death Thinning Ranks of Old Comedy Stars By RELMAN MORIN (Associated Press Staff Writer) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 1-4 Death is beginning to thin the ranks of Hollywood's "lost battalion." One by one, the old-time comedians, who were the bone and sinew of the industry in the days when the movies were new, are passing beyond the last fadeout.

Two weeks ago, Mack Swain, the "Mr. Ambrose" of 20 years ago, was taken; only a few months before, Lloyd Hamilton, keyman of the "Ham and Bud" comedies, preceded him into the shadows. Each year the company of clowns grows smaller. Meanwhile, the majority of those who remain stay in front of the cameras as long as possible. SENTIMENT TO NAME A peculiar sentiment is attached, in casting offices, to names like "Snub" Pollard, Ford Sterling, Billy Dooley, Jay Belasco, Jack Duffy, Raymond McKee, and Billy Bevan.

Many of them no longer are dependent on the studios for their livelihood. Yet, they continue to play "bits" in pictures as often as roles are available. "It's hard to quit," Pollard said. "What else would a fellow do with himself. From a temperamental standpoint, this business unfits you for any other.

So the boys just go on acting until they drop. Even though we don't mean anything anymore." Not all of them, however, are still haunting the studios. NOW DOG FANCIER Neal Burns, one of the ace comedy favorites of the old days, has become a dog fancier. Hank Mann owns a restaurant in the heart of Hollywood. His audience, now, is composed of the patrons.

And he frequently goes through his old routines for them. A few doors away is Tom Kennedy's restaurant. Kennedy, the giant with the broken nose who was the "heavy" in hundreds of early pictures, also manages prize fighters. His place has become a rendezvous for the sporting element in the movie village. Charley Murray, Ben Turpin and Chester Conklin are all c'omfortably retired.

Occasionally, a picture lures them back. Turpin and Conklin worked together in a recent slap-stick revival, complete even to the pie-throwing. It was a successful picture and the studio negotiated with them to make a series. The negotiations snagged, a studio executive said, "because they wanted too much money." SLIM STILL ACTIVE Slim Summerville, after all these years, still commands a four-figure salary, as an actor. One comedian who took his role seriously was Eddie Baker, a ferocious-looking behemoth who used to support Eobby Vernon in his pictures.

"Eddie always played the cop who chased me in the big climax," Vernon said. "He got so interested in playing policeman that he began to hang around the police stations." Today, Eaker is an officer In the state highway patrol, riding a motorcycle and still conducting the chase. DIRECTOR TRAVELS MUCH LeRoy Prinz, dance director at the Paramount studios, traveled around the world three times In order to study dances of all tiOLi-EEN WARD is completely recovered and dancing again in a I Hollywood film chorut after a erlous back Injury suffered a year ago In an accident. (Associated Rim Rhotoj Secretary for Cecil DeMille His Other Self By LEICESTER WAGNER (United Press Correspondent) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 14.

How many business men would give their shirts for a secretary who could do their thinking while they played golf? Emily Barrye Is such a person. She is the "alter ego" of Cecil Blount De Mille. (So that's where he gets his stuff!) Emily is slight in figure, brown as a nut, wears her black-gray hair in a boyish bob and jade earrings. For 12 long years she has been De Mille's other self. What she doesn't know about the workings of his mind isn't worth printing.

If Cecil B. were to die tomorrow Emily Barrye could carry on his work. Her brain is his brain. REGISTER ALIKE "The impressions on Mr. De Mille's mind register alike on mine," is the only explanation she can offer.

"After you have worked ro long with one man you become like him. I find sometimes that I am short and terse with people, just as C. B. is when he is engrossed in his work. "Sometimes the train of his conversation will tip me off to something he is carrying in his mind.

I make a note of it, and sure enough, a few days later he will ask me: 'Emily, what was that I was thinking about in New York last Friday? I'll be able to tell him." When De Mille is selecting a cast for his pictures, he will sit in the projection room of his home night after night, seeing from four to seven pictures at a stretch. Emily sits at his side, making notes of De Mille's ideas, expressed or conveyed. REMEMBERS NAMES She knows characteristics of the people he likes. In one small bit a man will make a swell entrance. A week later, De Mille will ask: "Emily, who was that Russian" and before he can finish, Emily will tell him the name of the man who made that entrance.

Emily has a stack of theater programs that high plays she and De Mille have seen In the course of eight years. Should a casting problem arise and recall some stage actor, Emily can locate him on short notice. She makes a special report, which Is filed away, of every actor or actress who seems to interest the producer. Her friends tell me she makes stenographic notes in her sleep. Sometimes she transcribes notes the next morning and doesn't know if De Mille called her on the telephone during the night or If it was something he said in days past.

WANTS TO DIRECT He will start a sentence and she will finish it. She has a complete record of everyone De Mille meets what they say and the Impression they leave. Emily aspires to direct. She started as an actress in "Feet of Clay" 12 years ago. She nosed around behind the camera, taking in every detail of the production.

De Mille made her his script girl and field secretary. She has a son, Bill, 18 years old. "Perfect secretary" or "alter ego," Emily Barrye fills the bill. But you'll have to pay important money, gentlemen, to lure her away from that master showman, Cecil Blount De Mille. 'Show Must Go On1 In Spite of Grief (By TJnited Press) HOLLYWOOD, Sept.

14. Because "the show must go on," Louise Henry, film actress, worked until a few minutes before she was to catch an airliner for New York and the funeral of her father. Production schedules were hurriedly rearranged last week to permit Miss Henry to fly to the bedside of her father, Dr. Jesse Strauss Heimann, 54, prominent New York physician, stricken with a sudden illness. When he seemed to be re covering she returned to Holly wood, but he suffered a relapse and died Sunday.

io iuriner aemy in proaucuon could be permitted without great cost, and Miss Henry volunteered to finish scenes in which she must appear in spite of her grief. Fred Stone Choice For 'Rogerian' Role Fred Stone was Will Rogers' closest friend. As a stage performer his popularity declined. As a screen star he was "made" by his work in "Alice Adams" with Katharine Hepburn. Should Fred put on the mantle worn by Will? Hollywood agreed he was the logical choice.

Now R-K-0 studios announces Fred will have the leading rolo In "The Farmer in the Dell," Phil Stong's novel. Those of you who read it perhaps saw a thinly veiled allusion to the adventures of Will Rogers In Hollywood. It would have been a "natural" for Rogers. It Is equally so for Stone. NAMED AFTER GAIL Two children in Alabama have recently been named after Gall Patrick.

One has been given Gail for a Christian name. The other is known as the Gail Patrick Child because the actress, now featured Iin "Wanderer of the Wasteland," started a fund that provided for an essential operation WITHERS FAMILY SUFFERS Privacy Lost When Home Life Enjoyed Down South Cone In Hollywood By HUBBARD KEAVY (Associated Press Writer) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 14. The Witherses would like to live like other people. Having a movie star in the family has changed their lives.

Since Jane crashed into marquee lights with the release of "Bright Eyes," less than nine months ago, Hollywood has made major alterations in her life and in the lives of her parents. The home life they all enjoyed back in Atlanta is gone. Mrs. Withers' club work, the pleasant circle of church friends, Jane's companions, are 3,000 miles away. Mother and daughter go at a gallop from morning until night.

When Jane isn't engaged in a picture, there are rehearsals, fittings, photographs, interviews, song practice, dance practice, school. PHONE KEEPS RINGING Mr. Withers can scarcely get a word in edgewise about the tire business during breakfast or dinner any more even if there were not studio work to discuss. The telephone rings incessantly. There are real estate salesmen, stock salesmen, insurance salesmen, just plain salesmen, and in between, youngsters and others who "just want to say hello to Jane," "I still can't feel annoyed about phone calls," Mrs.

Withers laughs, "when I recall how for days on end Jane and I used to sit and wait for the bell to ring, just in case it might be a studio." When Jane won recognition and a contract, to be featured in "Ginger" and "This Is The Life," it was no great surprise to Mrs, Withers. She was grateful, but not surprised. Jane has been on the stage since she was two and her mother never doubted for a moment that some day she might hit the top. DOESN'T BOTHER JANE But where Mrs. Withers and her six foot three Georgia husband made a mistake was in believing that with a star in the family they could go on living their same normal, natural existence.

They weren't going to "go Hollywood" and they Ann Loring Wouldn't Try to Win Another Movie Contes (By Associated Press) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 14. Three months in the movies has been Just long enough to convince one contest winner that she "wouldn't have the colossal nerve to try it again under any circumstances." She is Ann Loring, real name Anita Kur-tln, born and bred in Brooklyn, a graduate of Brooklyn college. And despite her own pronouncement she is, thus far, very much of a success. Her first role before the cameras will be, not the conventional 30-second "bit," but a lead opposite Warner Baxter.

But that, she said, was just luck. WOULD STAY AWAY "If I had it to do over again, I'd stay out of all contests, in the first place; and, in any event, I'd stay away from Hollywood." She was one of 25,000 girls who appeared before "traveling studio" last year to take a screen test. The scouts decided definitely she was one in 25,000. So she came along to Hollywood. And now "Well, now." she said ronli what nn iriint wp Tn Yvia wa I like having been in an automobile accident.

You never realize the significance of it until it's all over. Then you begin to get the jitters to think how lucky you were. "That's the way my movie experience affects me. Not in the sense of being a tragedy, but of being an amazingly lucky accident." She said she has seen other girls, whom she considered prettier and more talented than herself, fall by the wayside. "And even in restaurants and stors there are scores and scores of lovely girls.

I'll bet 90 per cent of them came here to be in pictures." The competition, she said, was Stars Fade Quickly In Fickle Hollywood (By United Press) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 14. One's star fades quickly in Hollywood and a two-year retirement from the screen means oblivion as far as American film audiences are concerned. Not so el.sewhere. In the far cor ners of the earth movie fans retain their enthusiasm for the old favorites long after fickle Hollywood has forgotten them.

Take the case of Mary McLaren. Fifteen years ago she was one of the screen's brightest luminaries. She was feted everywhere. Her fan mail ran into the thousands. Today she Is playing "bit" roles, her latest with Carole Lombard in "Hands Across the Table." Mary, however, is planning a personal appearance lour into South Africa, Australia and other British possessions with some other old favorite of the silent day Jane Became Star! TANE WITHERS her pai ents know what It means have a star In the family.

haven't, but things aren't the san They're going to move soon fro! their present bungalow court horj in an effort to recapture a little their lost privacy. In increasi numbers daily, cars drive up, cu ous strangers push the doorbell, to Jane to come out. At first was fun for her parents to ha Jane recognized, but now it's le exciting. It doesn't bother Jard who's as healthy and happy a year-old as there is in the count It bothers "Mom" and "Bops." Mom and Pops haven't given hope. They still believe it is po' slble for their daughter to enj screen success and for all three live like other people.

"beyond belief." And, whereas contest winner on her arrival feted and glorified and showerr with attention, the indifference thi sets in after this has gone is "ove whelming." MET HER PROBLEM Miss Kurtin went through th particular experience. The "pos arrival attitude," she called it. Sh met it in her own individual wa Her contract, she realized, mean littje more than a passport throug the heavily guarded front gat After the first few weeks she foun no one paying attention to her. she set out to bring herself to th attention of the studio's key mer She engineered an intensive can paign of personal salesmanshld Long after they had forgotten sh won a contest somewhere they wer impressed with the girl's lntell gence and persistence. It had its reward.

In World of Entertainment 1 1 Dur.ll. Alexander Sht'N only but Durclla' Alex-' nnder, whose 'sonps are on Paul Whlli man's broinlcaNt. nan beeo an entertainer sine the age of 1 live. i I.