NEWS AROUND HOLLYWOOD
- C Aubrey Smith, British film actor was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the honors list issued today in London. [‘Four Men and a Prayer,’ with Smith in a supporting role just opened the day before – directed by John Ford. It starred Richard Greene and Loretta Young].
- The Hollywood Turf Club opens the latest racing course Hollywood Park in Inglewood CA. Planned to be the finest of its kind at a cost of 2.5 million. Many stars and movie moguls will be racing their horses at upcoming races.
- Zanuck taking a chance going with no names on ‘The Splinter Fleet’ – with Richard Greene having only one credit this side of the Atlantic (the above mentioned ‘Four Men and a Prayer’) – and Nancy Kelly to be brought in from NY, based on her success in the play ‘Susan and God.’ Support cast – Preston Foster, Warren Hymer, Elisha Cook jr, John Carradine. [The film was released under the title ‘Submarine Patrol’].
- Lewis Seiler to direct ‘Heart of the North’ for WB – George Brent to star as a Mountie. [Dick Foran landed the Mountie role instead].
ON THE MOVE
- Claude Rains, a recently minted new American citizen, departs for his farm outside Philadelphia. For the next two months he researches his role as the star of ‘The Life of Haym Solomon’ – the story of a Polish jew who helped finance the American Revolution. [This was a short film – ‘Sons of Liberty’ that came out in 1939].
- Ann Doran plans a trip to war-torn China during her vacation this summer, after completing “City Shadows.” If the consulate will permit. [Columbia released ‘City Shadows’ as ‘City Streets.’ Ann would be very busy in 1939 – appearing in seventeen films, some roles uncredited].
- Oliver Hinsdell (see June 5) finished his talent safari in St Louis MO. He interviewed 157 aspiring performers, and told 75 he would be back to check on them later. He only took five photos back with him. He was on the lookout for leading men material. He had discovered Robert Taylor at a Pomona College play when scouting for MGM. His parting advice to the hopefuls – “Don’t come to Hollywood – unless Hollywood has sent for you with a definite promise.”
PER ED SULLIVAN
• Producer Arthur Hornblow tells a tale on Hitchcock – at a farewell cocktail party on his last London trip, he confided to Hitch that he would like to take a Great Dane back to America with him – the next morning 14 great danes were delivered to Hornblow’s hotel from Hitchcock.