Evening star., 1941-09-08

with Warner Brothers, whereby
services of Bette Davis came his way
. In addition to cash, he handed
over Gary Cooper to play star role
in Warmers Meet John Doe"
Assignment unwelcome to Davis,
who walked out for two weeks after
numerous battles with Sam and Di-
rector William Wyler over manner
role should be interpreted . Bette
thought all along Tallulah should
have played film Final results,
however, exceeded every ones ex-
pectations, including Bette's.
Uncovered couple of prospective
stars in newcomers Teresa Wright
(playing Bette's daughter and Dan
Duryea, william type cut from diff
ferent mold ;. Goldwyn signed both
to long-term contracts. intends to
build up Teresa Immediately . In
elaborate pompadour hair-do, which
took so minutes to arrange each
morning, Bette is spectacle in
severity.
Richard Carlson, busy wooing
Teresa all during film, called off
set one afternoon for rush trip to
hospital. There, Mrs. Carlson
took his mind off make-believe by
presenting him with infant son.
Grisly task fell to DR.. E. B. Wool
fan, Hollywood heart specialist, called
in as medical adviser He
saw to it that Herbert Marshall's
throes of pain while suffering re-
current heart attacks were exactly
like real thing. This is second
time Marshall has played invalid
husband to Bette. First was in
"The Letter"
Five of original Broadway cast
came to Hollywood for screen roles,
including Patricia Collinge, original
Pollyanna in that famous play, who
is seen as Aunt Birdie.
Lady Be Good"-song, dance,
drama, ear-tragedy-all written
around pair of song writers and title
Of song marks first singing role
for Ann Sothern since coming to
Hollywood seven years ago. 4.
Signed on strength of her warbling
assets, Ann became nothing more
than sweet, sticky ingenue. d.
After two years of that she quit,
standing ground with determination
until likely character role turned
up . then she became instantane-
Gus comeback hit . led her right
into "Maisie" series-and now up
to star part in one of M-G-M's
most pretentious shows of year. .
Heralding return as singing heroine,
Ann gives out with memorable de-
livery of Jerome Kern's The Last
Time Saw Paris" For women,
this picture should be fashion field
day. Adrian busy as bee while
needles flew preparing 80 gowns
for Ann and ID for Eleanor Powell
-frocks running all way from eve
ming gowns to house pajainas, some
possible style-omens for coming sea-
son.
Billed over Ann Sothern in cred
us, Gdp-QdnClnB EleanOr HOWel ac-
tually is reduced to mere support
ing role :. two of her most spec
tacular dance numbers trimmed out
to save running time Funny
little line-figures which illustrate
dialog are creation of Norman Nc
Leod, films director. Mcleod
used to draw famous Christy Com
edy subtitles in silent days.
Both Robert Young and John Car
roll sing for first time on screen.
Carroll has magnificent bass and
producers are already planning to
take further advantage of it.
For the first time in her screen
career, Eleanor dances with a part
ner who can't speak . . it's But
tons-a dancing dog. Idea for
novel number came from M-G-M
electrician who owned smart little
mongrel and suggested idea to Flea
nor. He and Eleanor worked