Evening star., 1936-03-19

ID o II z { IL VI
stage Struck"
and to the fact that Warner Brothers
were not in the mood to risk repeti-
ton of Mr.. Cagney's successful law
suit against them for violation of
contract.
1.-THE Old Maid" sick script of the
Paramount studio, has once again re-
ceived its bi-monthly busting, and Is
now making the rounds of Hollywood
boudoirs in the endeavor to find two
leading ladies with sufficient courage
to take over the parts made famous
by Helen Mencken and Judith An
derson in the stage Pulitzer Prize
winner. The latest pair scheduled for
the difficult roles are Irene Dunno
and Ann Harding. In order to make
sure there will be no last-minute
Withdrawals, the two ladies have been
sewn up with very lucrative contracts
that of Miss Dunno specifying a
three-year term, to make one picture
O year.
To date, "The Old Maid" has been
thumbed down by Helen Hayes, who
disliked the play and the prospect of
leaving husband Charlie Macarthur;
Henlen Mencken and Judith Ander-
son on account of stage assignments,
and Claudette Colbert, who declined
to act the part of an old lady on the
grounds of unsuitability. Shooting
on the long-delayed production be-
gins within the next two weeks.
Francis Lederer will have the double
opportunity of playing the part Of
his life and of riding horseback fol
the first time on the screen in his
new picture, THE Old-Timer," on
which he starts work in early May
for Paramount. An enthusiastic
horseman, Francis has riding stable
at his ranch and indulges in this
form Of exercise as often as time will
permit. In "The Old-Timer"-the
title will probably be changed
Lederer plays the part of European
nobleman who marries a Western So
eiety girl.
When "Petticoat Fever" starring
Robert Montgomery, was shown to the
trade, the name of the girl who
played his finance was considered
too insignificant for mention on the
screen credit card. At the end OF the
performance, dozens Of people called
I'D M.-G.-M. to ask who was the at
tractive nonentity. The studio ex-
ecutives, non-plussed, scratched their
heads, murmured something vague,
and proceeded feverishly to look
through files and pay sheets.
It was then discovered that the
unknown stranger was little Eng
lish girl, who had arrived several
weeks previous, by name Winifred
Shotter, big screen shot in her own
country, but completely unknown
here. The petite brunette was hur-
riedly dispatched to Mexico to attend
to the important matter of getting
in on the quota. On her return, she
was given a six months optional con-
tract, with a large salary attached.
Her next assignment will be playing
one of the important roles in "The
Suicide Club" again featuring Rob-
GU MUIlIBOuIcIy as Acdu uudIl'
81 Won't Dance" the Fred Astaire-
Ginger Rogers dance musical, has
been postponed for an indefinite date
all of which means that Mr.. Astaire
is still angry with Record Radio studio
for using his name-without permis-
sion-to indorse advertisers products.
Unless the studio patches up the
equabble within the next few weeks,
Astaire intends to shake the dust of
Hollywood from his dancing feet for
pleasure jaunt in England and Ire
land, there to vacation in the castle
Of sister Lady Adele Cavendish.
The Charles Ruggles-Mary Boland
scream, Early to Bed" is enhanced
by the addition to the cast Of Lucien
Littlefield, co-author of the screen
outline for the picture, originally en-
titled, Where Am II" In the movie,
Ruggles plays the part of a book
keeper in glass eye factor, engaged