Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-02
.LouelIa
in AoAy~ool

HOLLYWOOD. Feb. D.
The script OF mir. SkeffIngton.'
by Jules and Philip Epstein, turned
the trick with Bette Davis. Bette
for months had said she wasn't in
ferested in playing Mrs. Skeffing
ton, and then. at Jack Warneri
request. she read the adaptation
and was so excited about il she
has agreed 10 return earlier from
her holiday 70 make il. She leave:
in two weeks for her farm anc
for her annual visit 10 the East
but instead Of the four months
vacation she had planned She viii
be back In April for Mr.. Skef-
fington.'
The book. widely read. by Eliza
beth, wasn't strong enough for q
motion picture. But what the Ep-
stein BOYS have done is 10 really
show Mrs. Skeffington as she was
when young and glamorouS and
had every man AT her feet, and
then in the declining years OF her
life. Alexis Smith felt she needed
a little more experience before at
tempting such dramatic role.
FOR KEEPS
YOUNG JIMMY ROGERS has
always refused 10 trade on his
famous dads name and every
contract he signs as a movie
actor has such n stipulation. But
VIII would have been proud Of
his young son, who has plugged
along in his chosen profession.
He is now with Harry Sherman
and will play the character OF
William Boyd's sidekick In the
popular 'Hopalong Cassidy"
series.
Harry has lost one actor after
another 10 the army but Rogers,
who IL married and has two
children. IL signed on n seven
year contract, so he IL prob
ably with Sherman for keeps.
ABLE COMEDIAN
JUST PUT in an inquiry 10 find
out how Leon Enrol was feeling
after his battle with the flu when
/ heard the good news he Is to
have swell role in Dick English's
story. Trombone From Heaven"
at Universal Studios. / am glad
because Leon is one OF the ablest
comedians on the screen and we
need actors these days who can
make US laugh.
Dick II doing all right. TOO. He
has moved into the Samuel Cold
wyn studio TO work on Bob Hopes
script. The Pirate" and with
Dicks sense Of humor Bob Will get
plenty OF funny situations and
gags.
YOUNG LOVE
WHEN RICHARD QUINE
gets his final divorce In October
he In going 20 ask little Susan
Peters Of Random Harvest"
fame 10 marry him. sJust when
the wedding will take place no
one can say because Richard
goes into the coast guard In
March. But the two youngsters
ARE very much in love.
When I talked to Susan the
other day she said, 81 admit i
am I'm love with Richard and
proud of II, but of course you
can't make any plans with the
war on. As soon "a ne finishes
We've Never Been Licked for
Walter Wanger he will go
straight into the coast guard"
Susan Is ~ straight forward
and never tries 10 evade n ques-
tiou put to her and she In n fine
little actress.
HOLLYWOOD CHATTER
PENNY SINGLETON, whose
second child was born in hospital
near Quantico. says the expectant
mothers there almost outnumber
the armed forces. Maternity hos
pitfalls are damned 10 the doors and
one day Penny heard a hilarious
conversation taking place outside
her door. A young mother-to-be
had Just been told there wouldn't
be room for her at the hospital
Whereupon she said 10 the nurse:
'Well, I know what i am go
Ing 20 tell my child when he
asks about the stork. j am going
90 say. Yes, indeed, son--there
is a stork. He's a marine""
THE LETTER BOX
A CHEERFUL letter comes
from Frances Farmers brother,
with the good news she Is very
much improved John Golden
doesn't know whether TO he
peeyed with sme or pleased In
his wire: "0ur box office Is
showed under with mail and
telephone orders for tickets since
you printed that Paul NUM-
might close in Counselor at
Law 20 return 90 the movies.
Would appreciate il II YOU
would print that NUM- remains
with the show" Well, I'm glad
i helped the box office.
Mrs. Harry Houdini, widow Of
the famed magician, writes she
has been very III since De-
cember and that she IL expect
Ing her husbands brother 10 fly