Evening star., 1942-04-27

first filmed In 1929, Universal star
speech-with disastrous results
popularity OF footlights version -.
in first movie. supported by Evelyn
Brent and Myrna Kennedy.
George Raft was tickled at chance
to play hoofer hero In new version
and on loan-out deal from Warner
Bros. to Universal accepted sharp
cut in salary ;. figured part will
do him lot of good in many
ways Broadway" parallels life story
Of Raft himself, who, like story's
hero, hoofed from one night club
to another during bootleg era !.
Except for unique introduction and
finale (story Is now told in cut
back essential ingredients q orig
inal remain !. In cast Of charac-
tiers, George Raft is George Raft
first screen star to achieve distinc-
ton of being own screen biographer.
This Is third time Raft exploits
dancing talent in movies +. pre-
tions ones were -Bolerope and
aRhuhiba" Here he does hot
Charleston on dime Sind sesfe hoor
That coin-tossing trick which
trade-marked George in "Scarface"
is revived In Broadway" as an ef-
fective bit Of atmospheric business.
He's the most suspended"
player In Hollywood, having been
taken on payroll five times ut Para
mount and six times during current
Warner tenure.
Portraying detective, Pat OBrien
{starred in road version of play,
drops his Zip, fast-talking word
delivery to quiet drawl When
Pat was starring in show he met
and subsequently married present
Mrs. O'Brien, then Eloise Taylor /.
Flaming -haired Janet Blair, who
less than year ago was popular
band songstress, plays third lead
ing role as Rats dancing partner
and romantic interest.
Surprise novelty: Marjorie RAM
beau singing "Dinah," "Alabamy
Bound" and Sweet Georgia Brown"
in Hot Mamma" style -. Film
features dozen other songs to arouse
nostalgia memories.
EAA*
Henry and Dizzy"-Chief mis-
chief maker in new Henry Aldrich
series. is 1s-year-old Jimmy Lydon
himself, member Of ideal American
family Of five brothers, four sisters.
Dizzy Is enacted by Charley
Smith, thinnest actor In town +.
Henry's trouble inspiring girl friend
is Mary Anderson. whose 1s-nch
midrin makes her Hollywood's
waistline champ.
Seventy-year-old veteran, Waugh
an CHASER, who played same role on
stage, Is schoolmaster, whose house
Henry wrecks by mistake More
than 800 extras paid to enjoy selves
during picnic episode, fun and frolic
including baseball, track events,
boating and swimming Truck
load Of equipment transported to
Lake Malibu location for this ex-
citement--a fathers-sons day In
plot.
Main springboard for entire inn
broglio. about which all comedy
centers, is oil-smudged piece Of
paper. reading, II, Henry Adrich,
confess that stole Mr.. Weeks boat,
the Karefree, and sunk same on
July 2. Signed, Henry Aldrich."
As neighborhood pest, Carl
Switzer, befreckled juvenile from
Our Gang" comedies. acts frst
| featured role.
"Saboteur"-Rotund English d.
rector, Alfred Hitchcock of RE-
becca" fame, supplied original
from which this story was made -,
It's backgrounded against wartime
United States Features cross
country chase, starting In Glendale
Calf. and ending at Statue OF
Liberty in New York Harbor, the
whole consuming time lapse of only
i've days. =
For close-ups, portion Of Lady
Liberty was initiated via frame-and-
plaster on Universal lot.
Norman Lloyd. 28-year-old Broad
way character actor, debuts In title
role More than 800 players,
ranging from featured to atmos-
phere people, were given employ
ment -. Among freaks" in circus
sequence is Marie lie Deaux, SIS
pound fat lady, brought from
Phoenix, Ariz.. where G. F. ziegcr
Shows was wintering Director
Hitchcock always spreads good luck
charm over his productions by cast
ing self in bit -. Here he por-
trays deaf and dumb pedestrian who
attempts to date" . girl via the
sign language route.
Hero Robert Cummings wal
forced to 60 unShaven for IS con-
secutive shooting days Role
was one Of his most strenuous
entailing five days swimming with
wrists handcufied In mountain
stream: four more days IN man