The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-03

episode in the life of l5-year.old Peggy Ann Garner is proof, if proof were needed, of the great wisdom necessary for the protection of suc- cessful screen children, whose large earnings leave them open for ex- ploltation by the very people who should be doing the most to cherish them.
 Peggy Ann's mother recently an- nou1ced her secert marriage, in Mexico, to Lieutenant Commander Theodore Trautwein. Whereupon, the starlet's father, William H. Gar ner, now on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur in Tokyo, re- vealed that he 'lnas no knowledge or suspicion" of ever having been divorced from Peggy Ann's mother Through all this confusion runs the threat of a suit for custody of the young actress, which suit would url- doubtedly result in litigation over her large earnings.
 Of course, the one who will Suf- fer most as result of the marital nlixup of the William H. Gamers is their innocent daughter, Mrs, Garner insists she supposed she was divorced" from her husband and will take immediate steps to straighten out the situation. It is entirely probable that Mrs. Garner acted in good faith and it is also possible that her husband intended no harm to his daughter when he rsAaSAafAA k1AaAee0fa ASA aktAt.RaAs, tl4at he considers himself still married to her mother. But wouldn't 1t have been the better policy to have handled the affair quietly, rather than make 1t the subject of wide spread newspaper stories that can only serve to embarrass and hum iliate the young actress, who is at an age when such an experience can have lasting effects?
 California laws have been enacted to protect the earnings of child actors and actresses, but it takes more than laws to protect them from the thoughtlesSnesS of their parents or guardians. That requires an unselfish love, which seems at times to be lacking.
 IDOL CHATTER: "Crack-Up" Pat O,Brien'S current picture, marks his appearance in 100 films. De- partment of Utter Confusion: "The Brothers Karamazov," by P. Dos toyefsky will be filmed under the title, "The Tempest" which one W. Shakespeare should have copyright ed, since he wrote a play of that title four hundred years. Title most likely to be changed before 1t hits rnarquees: The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber' Bon ita Granville begins to look enough like Miriam Hopkins to be her daughter, and has the same talent .. And in the male division you could say the same for Bob Mitch um and Bing Crosby. |. 1n-a- phrase description of Edward Ar mold: Heavily body. Tn Holly wood, many girls get silver foxes, but not by following the golden rule.
 HOLLYWOOD PARADE: Park yakarktS, honest nurniSmatist. When an admiring fan sent Mir. Parkyakarkus some old coins for his collection, the comedian had them appraised and sent the lucky lady one hundred dollars for an ' 1856 American penny he had been trying to locate. Buddy Rogers consoler. When Jo Ann Garner was awarded the lead in Little Iodine, " Mir. Rogers sent every unsuccessful candidate for the part a note say ing: Sorry. Better luck next time .. Margaret O'Brien, critic. When little Maggie's mother, trying to explain a scene for her daughter, acted the part out, and the young star looked at her mother in ann azement exclaiming, Why mother, that's not bad--not bad at all"
 SMALL TALK: In rushing from Q radio station to Paramount Stu dio, Spike Jones accidentally broke one of his instruments. On arriving on the set, Jones found that Para mount, instead of calling e repair man from the Music Department, had sent out an S. o. s. for the studio blacksmith! Jeanette Macdonald was the victim of a purse snatcher this week and only her charitable heart saved her from 6 greater loss. Jeanette had just visited the Red Gross, where she had made 8 heavy cash donation. All the thief got was five dollars, . Red Cross receipt. and a certifi- cate for a pair of nylons. Billy De Wolfe has suresfire way to keep kindly thoughts of him flow ing back from his native Wales. Each week the actor sends seven pounds of dehydrated fruits and