The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-12

Joan's new lease with Warner Brothers may mean new lease on her acting career. MGM has let her down miserably in the past, except for fair vehicle now and again.
 Other pictures announced for her include Might Shift" once sched- uled for Bette Davis, and Miss Understood" Miss Davis, incident ally, has returned from her annual vacation in the east, and is making wardrobe tests for MT. Skeffing- ton"
 RKO has signed Patricia CoIlinge for one of the top roles in "Tender Comrade." which will also star Ginger Rogers. Miss Collinge has done such magnificent jobs with her roles in "The Little Foxes" and as the mother in "Shadow of a Doubt"
 Miss Collinge's career is an ex- ample of how gerat talent can be waster through the years. She ac- cepted roles in Broadway produc- tions, prior to the Little Foxes" success, but all were dismal Hops. This went on for many, many years. True. Miss ColIinge isn't young in our correspondence with her, she wasn't ashamed to admit 1t when we recommended she consider particular role in play which she decided too youthful for her to undertake. But wisdom has taken her to deserved heights.
 Dear Mir Mann:
 How does Those We Love" rate in comparison with other radio ser- ials? I consider 1t one of the best dramatic series on the air, and would appreciate your comment.
 Signed: AT
 AT: Frankly. never listen to any serials except Easy Aces and consider that the best serialized program on the air. Sorry to say that your program is not among those I love Editor.
 Paul Hartman observes that as soon as a Hollywood startlet dis rlays a sunny disposition, someone tries to give her a shady pat.
 Ares Moorhead, while starring In "'The Magnificent Ambersons" on the Hollywood Theater of the Air show, admitted that while rarely troubled by the green-eyed monster, she is just a bit envious in enc matter, Agnes, whose skill in emitting fearful and wonderful sounds when she wants is one of radios marvels admitted during a rehearsal gab-fest that she wishes she could equal the perfection of Olivia De Havilland's bark" The latter, on a broadcast with Agnes, once pinchhit fo ran animal ex- pert" who turned up missing, and astounded everyone with the &C., curacy for her 'Woofing."
 The War Department recently revealed that Jack Benny had ar rived safely overseas. The radio jester will entertain troops before he returns to this country in time for the beginning of his Fall show.
 The two principals on the Joan Davis-Jack Haley NEG program never thought they'd be co-starred on the same radio show back in 1937 when they appeared in the movie, Wake Up And Live" to- gether Jack, cast as a mike-fright- ened radio singer, stole the picture from Ben Bernie and Walter Win chell- who was the first to point 1t out -and Joan Davis, doing wacky burlesque of rumba, stole laughs from everyone in sight.
 Gilbert Selde, reveals in his article "Serenade to Fred Allen" in the September Esquire, that Fred Allen threatens to remain off the air after autumn is well on it's way.
 The question is: Is he going to be allowed to desert us This is no time for anyone to leave an essential occupation. but why not tell him so by signing a petition urging him to come back to the airwaves be- cause he's still one of radios best humorist.
 As yet, Allen has not signed any contracts indicating that he'll re- appear this fall, and the American people have done nothing whatever akn.,k lt CnlAao ,&nsrtc nut
 Perhaps MT. Allen is entitled to . rest" says Seldes. "but we'd be fools to let him walk out on us without letting him know that we resent 1t. and want him back"
 Aliens style of entertainment is one of the most refreshing on the afr. We might even add here that his and the Rob Hope programs top them all.
 One interesting aspect about Allen Is that he doesn't depend entirely upon his script for witticisms-his popularity has skyroeketed as the result 0f his delicious spontaneity, otherwise known as King AD- Libber.
 Granted, there's corn on his pr0- gram like every other, but Allen knows how to ripen 1t before the esrn norers have an opportunity ta ruin 1t.
 Mark Twain would have relished his exaggeratons; he Is as shrewd es Emerson. as giddy as Holmes; and wherever you touch him you tsuch an American product. says Seldes.
 We'll. folks. are you going to sit beck and let Allen do likewise? Or are you going to cIamor for MORE FRED ALLEN?????? Write to US ~ to your network WABC. if you want the genius of comedy back an the air this fall. Everybody! Action. pIeeexssxsxxz!
 Debonair Don McNeill. early morning emcee Of the inimitable