Evening star., 1936-01-16

OF the important womens roles has
been assigned.
One mans meat Is another mans
poison. In other words, Lewis Stones
serious bout of flu has given the un-
known free lance film actor, Frank
Reicher, the break for which all un-
knowns pray-but seldom get.
When Mr.. Stone was stricken at his
ranch in San Fernando Valley, the
studio decided to take no chances with
the life of the 60-odd-year-old veteran.
and Reicher was brought in to take his
place in 1.-THE Country Doctor" star
ring the Dionne quintiplets. If he
makes good-of which Associate Pro-
ducer Nunnally johnson assures me
there Is no doubt-Reicher will be in
the happy position Of receiving long
term contract from Twentieth Cen
tury-Fox, or of choosing among sew
eral major studios, all of which are
now awaiting his work in this film
before begging him to sign on the
dotted line.
One of the biggest bugabooS in the
routine of movie studio Is the titling
of a new production. A good title.
and the best film is enhanced. A bad
title, and movie has got to be very
good or else-! For this reason,
Pioneer Pictures, Jock Whitney's
technicolor outfit, proceeded very cau-
tiously before naming the technicolor
movie now in active production, star
ring Stem Duna, Charles Collins and
Frank Morgan. The studio finally has
decided on Dancing Pirate"
However, Pioneer had quicker inspi-
ration with another Of its four sched-
uled productions, and has already
named the film that will be John
Ford's first technicolor picture for his
new bosses-"The Life Of Gen.
Custer"
The Custer picture will differ from
all other color films to date, includ-
ing THE Trail of the Lonesome Pine"
In that the action takes place in the
Middle West, and will have for back
ground the fascinating soft tones of
the prairie country. The film will be
made under the supervision of Merriam
Cooper, vice president Of Pioneer.
Edith Fellows, recently returned
from holiday trip to Vancouver, has
been assigned leading role in Bless
Their Hearts," A. B. P Schulberg
production for Columbia Pictures
Elliott Nugent will direct.
"Bless Their Hearts" is based on
story by Sarah Addington, published
last Fall in a national magazine
Nine-year-old Miss Fellows is already
q veteran Of 100 pictures, and sprang
into the limelight with her fine per-
formance with Claudette Colbert in
Columbia's "She Married Her Boss"
The r. K. o. studio Is a firm
believer in catching 'en young, and,
in pursuance Of this policy, has placed
2o-year-old brunette Frances Sage,
and singer John Carroll, under long
term contracts.
In spite Of her tender years, Miss
Sage has collected quite a record for
good acting and is praised by critics |
as one of New York's brightest dra-
matte actresses. The list of her stage |
successes includes the Group Theater |
production, It'll the Day I Die" the
Theater Guilds "Valley Forge" as well !
as Mahogany HOTEL and "It Hap |
pened Tomorrow" /
Carroll was first noticed by the |
movie moguls in "Hi, Gaucho," with |
Stefii Duna, and Green Shadow"
starring Preston Foster.
Hollywood success story David |
Niven. now playing lead in palm
Beach," the Walter wanger produc-
tion, arrived In Hollywood year ago |
with no assets beyond a sense of |
humor. The adventures Of the former |
officer in the Highland Light Infantry i
since leaving England two and a half
years ago would make highly colored |
dramatic movie story.
After landing in Canada, he cashed
his return ticket and became a builder |
Of bridges-for 16 cents an hour. A
tonsn operation performed by a vet, |
price $40, sent him to New York to
recuperate. Followed job peddling |
liquor. Then an indoor horse racing |
stunt in Atlantic City proved disas-
trous. When next seen, David was |