The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-05
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 HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 5 = Don't b6 surprised if Lew Ayres returns to MoM, not as on actor, but as a di- rector Hal Clark Gables Xmas present to his So-year-old dad, an ultra-ritzy trout rod and reel, was returned with a request that 1t be exchanged for something . little. less fancy" Speaking of Yule gifts, Butch" Jenkins is busy ex- plaining that the pet skunk Santa brought him is deodorized Director Jean Negulesco and Colum- bia Starlet Dusty Anderson have an altar date in June, when her di- vorce becomes final.
 I hear that one of London's big gest movie theaters will be re- named in honor of Leslie Howard, who lost his life while flying war time mission for the British Gov ernment in 1942 Time out for Wallace Beery, bedded by flu bugs Ann Sheridan nd Warner Bro- thers bosses have agreed on her comeback role, and she'll face cam eras by Feb. Keenan Wynn has signed for a New York stage play based on the life of his famous grandad, Frank Keenan Wotz- is about Capt. Jeffrey Lynn trying to dodge an Army discharge because he wants to be professional sol- dier?
 As predicted here weeks ago, it's Greg Bautzer, who's leading in the competition for Lana Turner's smiles Good listening: Bing Crosby's soon- to- be released record ing of "The Bells of St. Mary's" Silent screen star Douglas Mo- Lean is mulling an offered lead in the road company presentation of "The State of the Union"
 Preview Nights: Pic of lack lustre week etro-Goldwyn May CTS ''The Sailor Takes Wife" (Ro- bert Walker-June Allyson). Situa- tion comedy that will leave you with swell laughter-taste !. :. GOOD: MGM's up Goes Maisie" (Ann Southern George Murphy Hillary Brooke). A series that's always high in entertainment value continues to climb SO-SO: Columbia's s One Way To Love- (Willard Park er.Marguerite Chapman Chester Morris). Chuckle-fare that makes little sense but lots of giggles |. PRC's T Ring Doorbells" (Anne Gwynne Robert Shayne Roscoe Karns). A Class B entree that's too class conscious Monogram's ''The Lonesome Trail (Jimmy Wakely-Lee "Lasses" White). An. other pea from Hollywood's pod o1 westerns BEST PERFORM ANCE: Audrey Trotter in The Sail or Takes a Wife" A talented new conner serves notice that she's nere to stay.
 Major Fred WhYte, Special Serv- ice Officer just back from Europe spent an hour or two the other evening answering my questions about his experiences. In particular he talked about Mickey Rooney, who was under his command Tor th' better part of a year, and every word he said about the one-tim' 'cockiest kid in pictures was higr praise. Rooney is changed almos' beyond belief" he told me. Hes ac' uuired a new sense of values and new sincerity. Within a year aftel he comes back to the screen, he VII be a far greater star than he evel was before the war" There may n' cause to doubt the glowing reports dished out by paid publicists about Mickeys new war-born self, but 1t! impossible to doubt when you heal confirmation from the man who wal his boss.
 Because of LlOyd NOlan'S out standing work in ''The House or 92nd Street., his studio has an nounced that he will be rewarded with a steady diet of Class "A" pic lures. Nolan can be excused if h. takes the news with a show me attitude. Ten years ago, when h was recruited from the New Yorl /, stage, he was assured that he woulI be used in nothing but top-hign productions, but soon found himseI relegated to quickies. Five year later, after turning in some remark