Evening star., 1943-05-15
BY SHEILAH GRAHAM.
HOLLYWOOD

May I make suggestion, dar-
lng?" says the most polite director
In Hollywood-Edmund Goulding-
to the newest, prettiest star of pic
tures-Dorothy McGuire-on the
set of what promises to be a new
type of movie. Claudia" The little,
round-faced recruit from the the
ater, now making her first film,
matches Goulding with one soft
word for another and replies, "Yes,
sir"
Thus encouraged, the director con-
tinues, Il want you to fall into your
husbands arms like this. Allow
me-" He gently pulls Miss Mcclure
from the embrace of Robert Young
and asks the latter, do you mind?'
Then he falls into what he con-
siders a fetching pose.
You see what I mean?" Could
ing asks Claudia when the two
men have recovered somewhat from
the grueling experience. Il want
you to nestle in his arms like cat.
But remember to show your profile
to the camera. Then I want you to
lie inert like dog. There's GER
tain trick to it. Do you under
stand?" The Yes, sir" OF Miss
MCGUIRE is on the dubious side.
But she valiantly goes into her
clinch with her screen husband. .
X X X
They didn't tell me how hard it
was" Miss Mcclure tells me when
Goulding calls halt. I'm not sure
I'd have come to Hollywood if I'd
known how torturous it was to make
a picture. On the first day 1 felt
as though I'd been conked on the
head" At this point the wardrobe
woman asks her to take off her linen
dress. 1t had become creased in
the preceding scene and must be
pressed. But it's been pressed al
ready!" walls Claudia. Eyes, dar-
ling" soothes Mr.. Goulding. "but
the creases will show on the screen.
How about rehearsing in slacks
while we get your dress nicely
pressed?" But I'd feel differently
go oAe<SNes ~ StCSlS AOl
Goulding plays for time by turn
ing to Robert Young. This next
scene is marvellous for you, Bob"
he states with fervor. There's a
twinkle in your eye when you speak
your lines" This is the scene where
Claudia's husband tells her she is
neither beautiful nor bright. Shall
sit on my leg?" Claudia wants
to know. mo, show it," says Could
ing, tits good leg art" But my
knee will show" replies the trou-
bled girl. why not?" demands
Goulding, who has a critical eve.
There's nothing wrong with your
knee!" Not for nothing has Mr..
Goulding been called the best direc-
tor OF women in Hollywood.
I am invited to the set of "The
Uninvited' and meet another young
newcomer, 18-year-old Gail Russell,
who looks like Hedy Lamar. She
got the unexpected break of play
ing opposite Ray Milland because
couple of high school boys told
Paramount's talent director that
they know q girl who is more
beautiful than Hedy Lamarr!" The
director was driving toward Santa
Monica when the boys thumbed a
ride and their description of Gail
impressed him SO much that he sent
for her and gave her test. And
now, after bit in a Henry Aldrich
picture, plus small part in Lady
in the Dark" she is the leading
lady in THE Uninvited."
X X X
I watch Gail do a scene with Mil
land and Ruth Hussey, who plays
his sister. She sails through it like
trouper. But her nervousness Is
revealed at the end when she wrings
her hands (unconsciously) in a
manner that would make Lady Mac
beth green with envy. She is too
shy for much conversation with the
press and after some polite chit
chat this reporter migrates in the
direction of Calls co-stars. Milland
says he has just returned from New