Evening star., 1942-01-19

through action, enacted by big-city
girl, Betty Field, from Boston, Mass.
Relatively small part, it packed so
much dramatic dynamite that player
of star caliber was demanded. Cas-
sandra turned into biggest casting
problem of all, with Bette Davis
finally settling it by insisting that
Betty Field be tested.
Story moves from 1890 to eve Of
World War I and dwells mainly
upon great friendship Of two men.
Big construction job was creation
of small-town setting-five blocks
built on Warner Bros. back lot.
Homes of rich and poor, school,
bank, stores, professional of1ces,
livery stables, ice house, railroad
station and yards.
Largest indoor set was orchard
containing three dozen apple trees,
with house at one end and large
pond, fed by running brook, at other.
This was especially tricky, because
10 years pass between first view Of
orchard and its next appearance on
screen. Which meant trees had no
grow in proportion and yet retain
individual characteristics. To nur-
sery workers fell task Of hanging
1000 apples on trees, each wired
separately to its own twig.
Director Sam Wood held up pro-
duction five weeks waiting for Rob-
ert Cummings to finish a role with
Deanna Durbin at Universal, re-
fusing to accept substitute.
Part Of Randy Monaghan. "girl
from across the tracks," gives Ann
Sheridan genuine opportunity as
dramatic actress Charles Co.
burn, who plays happy and some
times crotchety old men, here be-
comes an unmitigated villain for
first time Odd experience for
Reagan was being stricken with
mow-blindness from sunshine on
artificial snow in winter scenes.
Betty Field blondined her hair
for Cassandra after 81 years as
brunei and liked it so well she plans
to remain that way =. On other
hand, white-haired Harry Daven-
port, septuagenarian character man,
had his naturally snowy locks lib
orally bedaubed with cheek rouge
to make them photograph soft
white He went around looking
as If he were aflame.
"The Remarkable Andrew"-Dal-
ton Trumbo sold this story to Para
mount before he ever put a word Of
it down on paper During a
conversation with head of studios
story department, Trumbo outlined
an idea he'd toyed with for years
Scenario chief sent him to Pro-
ducer Arthur Hornblow and Trumbo
agreed to buy the story Immediately
for a certain price. but offered
almost double if Trumbo would
write it a as book Trumbo ac-
cepted the latter plan. wrote the
book and it became a best-seller
Fundamentally, it's tale OF
small-town municipal bookkeeper
who Is framed by gang Of politicians
to cover their own embezzlement OF
public funds :, . From the past
come shades Of Andrew Jackson,
George washington, Thomas Jeffer-
son, ct al, to assist boy in routing
crooks.
Nevada's capital, Carson City. was
chosen to impersonate fictitious
Colorado town of Shale City and all
exterior scenes were filmed there
Blase divorces from Reno, lanky
cowpunchers, hard-rock miners and
Indians from reservation hocked in
| to witness filming .. Cupid had q
field day during this pictures max
ing Bill Holden. its hero. mar
ried Brenda Marshall and Ellen
Drew, heroine, wed Sy Bartlett
writer and daughter Of Montagu
Love announced her engagement.
"Mr. and Mrs. North"-Gabby
Oracle Allen, who came up the hard
way from one-night vaudeville
stands to land at top of radio