The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-08
JIM MMIE FIDLER h HoHvuood
Distributed hy McNausht syndicate. Inc.

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8 DEAR STAFF: Okay, kiddies, you've been yelling for more money-so I'm of fering you a chance to harvest a crop of greenbacks.
 Just a few minutes before I went on the air, for a recent broadcast, l received a telephone call from a woman who announced herself, with all the proper mannerisms, as Joan Crawford's secretary. She informed me that she was calling for Miss Crawford, and wanted to give me a news item-Joan and Attorney Greg Bautzer Gf you're on your toes you know they were having occasion al dates some weeks ago. had de- cided on marriage. Unable at that late moment to check the item with Miss Crawford personally, and con- vinced by the ''secretary's" straight forward methods, I used the story. The secretary" proved to be ma licious imposter. Joan and Greg Bautzer are not altar-bound.
 Miss Crawford tells me this isn't the first time she has been made the target of an unknown's false reports. At least three times previously someone, presumably the same Wo- man, has posed as her secretary and planted" untrue stories with Hol- lyWood columnists.
 Naturally, she wants to get to the bottom of all this. So do I. In fact, I've decided to post a $500 reward for information leading to the posi- tive Identification of the woman who has made the telephone calls. If l can discover her, I want her scalp.
 So get busy kiddies, and earn yourself a half grand Incidentally, l think I'd cheerfully pay more than that amount to see you prove that you actually have reportorial ability enough to run down some thing more elusive than your long suffering boss,
 JIMMIE FIDLER.
 DEAR JAMES: Having just read your communique, We haven't had enough time to give your little prob lem deep consideration. but it seems fairly Simple-particularl to the youngest staff member, who, as you know is devoted patron of detec- tive thrillers. He already suspects one of his neigrbors. Shea woman described as about 50 years old, 5 feet, inches tall, weighing ITO pounds, and dressed in bright pur- pie am-diggerS when last seen has told him that she knows no one in pictures and has never heard you on the air He says that any fool who keeps up with the best mystery stories knows that the real criminal is always the most unlikely suspect, and that makes her a definite pos sibility.
 To gossip: Anent Joan Crawford. didyuh know that she's decided to cancel plans for a picture in England to take her two children into the big woods of Eastern Canada for a White Christmas? Sight of the week: HollyWood's biggest big names gathered in the ultra-ex- elusive California Cabana Club-and all Jitterbugging like mad while Emile Coleman's Band played "Ce- ment Mixer Meryyn LeR0y and Henreid definite offer to play op- poSite Jenifer Jones in a renlake of Little Woman" =. Heres a "Ha" item for you, boss. The first thing MGM did, after mixing Marie Me Donald to a term contract was 10 post bans against any future refer ence to her as The Body" ." and the next thing was to enroll her in the studio school 70 study acting and diction! -
 The real reason why the British made epic, Caesar and Cleopatra" hasn't been seen hereabouts in the U. s. Censorship Boards decision to nix two entire reels We hear that Heavyweight Champ Joe Louis, still having financial difficulties de- spite the enormous gate" harvest ed for his dance routine with Bill Conn, is making strong bid for screen roles, and may star in a pie ture for Republic :. j.. Andy RusSell's purchase Of 40-foot sailing boat qualities him for the yachting set.
 
 Hal Wallis, who's acquired picture rights 10 the story of Alcoholics Anonymous, says Bill Fields would be a natural for a big role if it weren't for the fact that he's never done his drinking anonymously After fans take a gander at the dec ollete wardrobe Joan Fontain's sport ing for this weeks scenes in The Emperor Waltz" Jane RusseL's very apt to rate as has been .. All of which reminds us that Ingrid Bergman is wearing sweater, a la Lana Turner, in Arch of Triumph" :. . looks like that gorgeous new Danish import, Christine Miller. will be given full-fledged stardom in her first Hollywood picture, The Beggars Are Coming To Town"
 FOrtunio BOnanova is complaining that some nasty so-and-so not only burglarized his car-but stole that