Evening star., 1942-10-17

nit Tor younger male stars IN the
service.
Movie business today is 80 per
cent better than one year ago at
this time and is rapidly approach
ing an all-time high. But first-run
houses are facing their gravest
problem in combating Nation wide
gas rationing. Dozens of schemes
are under consideration to keep
folks coming downtown. Niftiest
yet suggested is parking lot deal
by which drivers of automobiles
full Of show-bound passengers will
receive free parking and theater
admission.
Walter Huston as Davies.
Walter Huston is almost a cinch
to play Ambassador Davies in War
ners' Mission to Moscow" Maybe
it's just as we'll skating scenes in
Sonia Henie's new film have been
cut to a minimum. Skates are, no
longer being manufactured. The
kind Sonia uses cost $50. She has
three pairs and is hanging onto
them. Starlet Dorothy Morris
draws the biggest role of her career
in pilot No. s." but she hasn't a
line to speak. She plays a half-wit
girl accidentally killed by Franchot
Tone. Dorothy's on the screen a
lot, too, but nary a word from her.
Not bad idea there. Too bad a
lot more film actresses don't play
silent parts in talking pictures.
Wacky close-ups: Lyle Talbots
real name is Lyle Hollywood. He
was forced to change it because
movietown refused to share billing.
Jack Benny's Rochester eddie
Anderson) prides himself on a Los
Angeles telephone with Rochester
prefix. Lena Horne, singing actress
appearing in Cabin in the Sky"
lives on Horne avenue, and Charley
Grapewin, character actor, resides
on the corner Of Grapewin and
Charles streets.
Paramount Is Lucky,
If memory doesn't fail US, Jean
Vatican of Lies Miserables" was a
scrawny fellow who lived for years
and years on skimpy diet, devoid
Of vitamins and calories. So what
does Hollywood do? Casts Laird
Cregar, its 335-pound fat man to
play the part! Paramount has
lost fewer players to the draft than
any other major lot. OF 43 actors
under contract there, only five have
gone into service >. Figuring Micky
Rooney may get into this war busi-
ness at any time, M-G-M is trying
to groom a successor. Toward that
end, Robert Reddick, 17-year-old
Broadway juvenile, has been signed.
The youngsters first appearance will
be IN the title role of Half Pint
Kid" story of crooked Jockey and
DIS regeneration Bette Davis has
lost IA pounds and is so i'll she NAV
be forced to remain off the screen
until well after the new year. For
the past five years no star in town
has worked so hard as Bette. The
strain IS definitely beginning to tell
Judy Garland has a 4-year-old
niece, Judy Sherwood, who is a cut
up and a caution all in one. The
other night Judy stopped by on her
way home from the studio. Hello
darling," she greeted little JUDY
you look so clean and beautiful
Did you just take bath?" "No,
Aunt Judy" replied the kid. .is
there one missing?' Big judy is
trying to discover who is teaching
her little relative those corny yadue-
vile jokes.
Red Shelton Smokes,
Red Shelton resisted temptation
Tor 20 years, but these movies finally
got him. He's smoked cigaret for
the first time since 1922. He did It
for a scene in "Du Barry Was a
Lady" Red says he quit as a bow
because he set neighbor,s barn on
fire and his pop had to lay out $3.50
to square the damage Ex-
hibitors are still crying for zombie
and grave-digger stories, SO all
studios are back at work turning
out . healthy quota Of these phoul-
tsh box ONCE bonanzas. About Is
are to be released between now and
January !, 20 check your blood
pressure right now. warmers VIII