BORN ON THIS DAY
- Lazlo Lowenstein, or better known by his stage name – Peter Lorre turns 34 today. After two Mr Moto stories in 1937, he returned to the role for three in 1938. For 1939, he added three more turns as the Japanese detective before the studio pulled the plug on the character (fear centering around the Japanese agression in the East was the major factor in their decision). [The creator of the series J P Marquand once asked for Lorre’s autograph. Peter complied and wrote, “To J P Marquand with thanks for inventing me”].
- Wolfgang ‘Woolie’ Reitherman turns 29. One of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men – he was one of the animators on Snow White. In the main he worked on the Donald Duck cartoons, two for 1938, and two for 1939 on his way to animation director on ‘Pinocchio’ (1940).
- June Preisser celebrated her 18th birthday. Her gymnastic training gave her a unique style for the dance numbers. With only three credits in short films up until this time, June will break into features at MGM in 1939 – ‘Babes in Arms’ and ‘Judge Hardy and Son.’
NEWS AROUND HOLLYWOOD
- Edward G Robinson is loaning one of his paintings to the Louvre for exhibit over the summer. He will accompany it if he can get away.
- A young Mexican women, Maria Alicia Abitia, has been given a shot at becoming a cameraman. She will be sitting under the tutelage of Lucien Andriot at 20th Century Fox on their next Warner Baxter film, ‘I’ll Give a Million.’
OUTSIDE HOLLYWOOD
Greta Garbo and Leopold Stokowski, the symphony conductor, narrowly escaped serious injury when their automobile skidded and turned over near Soedertaelje, Sweden (thirty miles south of Stockholm). They were able to turn it upright and continue on their way. Stowkowski was driving. The pair are frequently rumored to be headed to the altar.