The Phoenix index., 1939-09-23
CurtaiInlent
Of Others To
Hurt Extras
BY HARRY LEVETTE

of the European war were felt al
once here in Hollywood, and the
studios gave notice that they would
have to curtail production because
of the loss of trade from the belli-
gersnts. But immediately the ex-
hibits began to suggest that the
) rates OF rental and percentages for
Minis be lowered accordingly, so
rather than have to comply with
this, the producers decided that
they would continue the rate of
output developing the American
market high enough to accommo-
date the product and continuing
to supply such countries as will con-
tinue to supply the populace with
sECh amusemeuts as they can, thus
keeping their morale up to the
highest standard. AS far as the field
for colored motion pictures is con-
cerned, it will not make any ap-
preciable difference, as at present
there is no foreign trade except
that enjoyed by Million Dollar
Productions to the British West
lndies.
DOROTHY KEANE
Dorothy Keane, whose picture re-
Gently appeared on the front page
Of the Pittsburgh Courier with six
other girls as "Seven of Boston's
most beautiful girls" arrived here
last Saturday from her MasSachu-
setts birthplace with the intention
Of making this her adopted home.
She was here for the first time in
1887, and as do all easterners be-
came enamored of California. At
tracted by her beauty and person.
aixy she was offered several op-
poi tunities for picture work but
could not stay However, as she has
been offered role in a new film In
which Flennoy Miller is interested.
she will be on hand this time to
accept it and make her debut In
films. Her first stage experience
was on the Kieth circuit when a
juvenile.
SOUTH AFRICA TO HEAR
GURIE SONG
Sigrid Gurie's song hit, after the
rain," gets plug in South Africa
Felix DeCola, famous composer, OF
Capetown. known as the king OF
swing in South Africa, heard Miss
GMie sing on the set of Unlversals
'sRio," in which she appears with
Basil Rathbore and Victor Nc
Laglen. as A 80
He Immediately sought permis-
sion. to broadcast the number on
his return to Capetown, where he
conducts leading orchestra. The
song was written especially for
Miss Gurie by Ralph Freed and
frank Skinner.
BILLYE BROWN MODESTO
Viyyene Billye Brown, first
screen sweetheart of Stepin
."etchit, who is rapidly gaining as
much perfection and acclaim as
modlste and milliner as she has
as a rich-voiced clever dancing
entertainer, is happy over the
visit of her uncle, Amos H. Watts,
from Cincinnati. Her relatives on
the side of her mother. Mrs. Julia
Ray, they have not had the pleas
ure of seeing him for a number OF
years until he came last week Tor
1he national Baptist convention.
8lllye, who has entertained at some
of the finest clubs on the coast
.anCi in the northwest IS very popu-
lar at her present engagement at
K-9 Roseroom an exclusive lntl-
mate mite spot. Calvin Smiths Or
cllestra is the colored outfit now
making the music having followed
Papa Nuts orchestra in at the
completion of their engagement.
Biilye, who started in the unique
new club, was held over.
- Allegheny Uprising" has peen
selected as the release title of the
new RKO Radio picture, starring
John Wayne and Claire Trevor
which was completed recently un-
Ger the tentative designation OF
"Alleghney Frontier"
With Lupe Velez, the the little
Mexican fireb1and, and, Leon Ell
-rol of rubber legs" fame, head
inc the cast, RKO Radio will pro-
duce a new comedy romance start
ing late this month. Also signed for
roles in the feature are Donald
woods, Linda Hayes, Elizabeth Ris-
don and Ward Bond
Cliff Reid Will produce "Hot
Taplale." with Les GoodWins dl-
recting. The screen play is neing
written by Joseph A. Fields.
According to Leigh Whlpper' tne
orlIv colored member in the new
cast of the picture, "Of Mice ano
Men" is going native with ven
seance. The famous novel by JonI
Steinbeck is currently being 1llmeC
at Aguora ranch, lonely, lsolatec
spot 40 miles north of Hollywood
The recreational facilities are
rather limited. and members OF The
csast are finding their fun as any
California ranch worker Woulo.
Glancing at the ranch-yard O
the set discloses a scene authentl
cally rural, Principals, clad in TN
working clothes called for by TN
scrlpt. amuse themselves during
luis in the shooting by learning