Evening star., 1945-08-25
Borzage Back in the Groove

VINO never gives on the slightest
outward appearance of concocting
SO much lachrymose entertainment.
Borzage's top number, of course,
was Seventh Heaven" made for
the old Fox Co. at the start of the
sound era. 1t brought Janet Gaynor
and Charles Farrell to prominence,
won a flock of academy awards
and put the red-headed, pipe bit
ing Borzage at the very top of his
field.
Right now he is directing Borden
Chase's pet novel. Concerto"
romance built around music and
musicians and fairly dripping with
honest sentiment.
Chase. 1t may be recalled, is the
one-time Brooklyn sandhog and
taxi driver, who became a high
salaried screen writer because his
wife grew tired of seeing him come
home sweaty, grimy and wearing
muddy coveralls. She made him
quit his work, borrowed a type
writer for him and said, Go to it,"
When Chase protested that he had
no such talent, Mrs. Chase brought
out q packet of old love letters.
Said she: "A fellow who can write
stun like that to the girl friend GER
tainly can make it pay OH for pub
lie consumption. No more out of
you, and get to work" Chase got
to work. Result? Republic is today
investing $4,000, 900 in his Con-
certo." 1t is in color and is by far
the biggest thing this hustling little
valley studio has ever attempted.
S-s 81
It's pause between camera set
ups when We arrive on the stage
with Les Kaufman. publicity chief
Director Borzage, his business man
ager brother Lou, together with Au-
thor Chase and members of the
cast. gather around for small talk.
It's mostly Of the reminiscent type
because Frank is leading the con-
versation.
In Concerto" he Is introducing In
the leading feminine role Katherine
Mcleod, native Californian, lovely,
homey-appearing girl with beauti-
full eyes and an engaging smile
which breaks clear across her face
Borzage says she is the greatest dis
covery he has made since Janet
Gaynor and feels certain the public
will more than verify this when the
picture is shown.
"She has just q touch of Flor
ence Vidor, the silent screen star,
about her." said Borzage. And
still there's some Claudette Colbert
too-and that won't hurt her a bit.
have made two dozen or more
pictures since Seventh Heaven. but
can honestly say that Katherine
Mcleod is the first real prospect
for stardom that I've directed since.
In color she is an entirely diff
ferent personality than you see St
ting over there. Color plays strange
pranks on q face. In this case 1t
brings out all her best features
She Is lucky. In many instances
I've seen 1t bring out the worst
features of a beautiful actress
and spell her DOOM"
Nn1SS NACAcou Is one more acLreSS
who was almost buried and a ca
reer obliterated by the massive tai
ent roster of great major studio
An MGM scout saw her two years
ago in Pasadena play and she
was tested and signed. For Is
months she did nothing at MGM
but draw her pay. Some one told
Borzage about her. He sent for
her test and was highly impressed.
Overnight she was dragged out If
MGM's obscurity and tossed into
the top role OF what promises to be
one Of the great pictures of 1916.
(Reieased by North American Newspaper
'Alliance) -
AT least 100 flashes Of lightning
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