April 8, 1932

RENO IS PREFERRED BY NORMA TALMADGE

Hollywood, April 8 (AP)
There will be no Paris divorce in the life of Norma Talmadge, former screen actress.

When she gets ready to take legal steps for separation from Joseph M. Schenck, film producer, she will go to America’s divorce capital, Reno, Miss Talmadge said on her arrival here from Palm Beach and New York.

Miss Talmadge recently announced in New York that she planned a divorce. She and her husband have been separated for several years.

Her arrival in Hollywood was the occasion of a Talmadge family reunion. She was met by her mother, Mrs. Peg Talmadge; her two sisters, Constance Talmadge Netcher and Natalie Talmadge Keaton, wife of Buster Keaton, the comedian.

Keaton and his two sons, Joe and Robert, were also present.




MOTION PICTURE ACTOR FAILS TO APPEAR IN COURT

Warrant Issued For Arrest Of Duncan Renaldo On Driving Charge

Atwater, Calif., April 8
Duncan Renaldo, moving picture actor who was featured in “Trader Horn” and who was arrested here some time ago for reckless driving and fined $30 by Justice of the Peace W. H. Osborn, was to have appeared here Tuesday and pay the balance of the fine of $15.

Renaldo failed to put in an appearance and a bench warrant for his arrest has been issued by the judge and placed in the hands of the traffic department. It will be forwarded to Los Angeles authorities for his arrest.

Renaldo pleaded guilty over the telephone from Los Angeles several weeks ago and asked what the fine would be. On being told it was $30, he mailed $15 and was given a month to forward the balance, which he has failed to do.




S. E. NORRIS, FILM ACTOR, DIVORCED

Philadelphia, April 7 (AP)
A final decree of divorce from Septimus Edward Norris, the motion picture actor, was granted to Mrs. Virginia Bell Hiller Norris today in Common Pleas Court. The grounds were not revealed. The couple, both members of socially prominent families, eloped Dec. 6, 1927, when Norris was 16 years old and his bride 18. They have one child. Norris left college to enter the movies several years ago when he was selected as a double for Charles (Buddy) Rogers in “Wings.”


COWBOY ACTOR HURT BY FALL

Los Angeles, Apr. 8 (AP)
Lee Sage, thirty-four, cowboy film actor and writer, was taken to a hospital today suffering from six broken ribs, suffered when he was thrown from a horse while working in a picture with Harry Carey, wild west star.




Walter Huston’s next screen impersonation will be of A. P. Giannini, the banker, in “Faith,” which is to be directed by Frank Capra. Huston is being loaned by M-G-M for the job. Kay Johnson will be Walter Huston’s leading woman.




Lewis Milestone continues with his preparations to make a talkie of “Rain” despite rumblings said to emanate from the Hays office that a film production will not be sanctioned. The last news from Milestone was that he had added Beulah Bondi’s name to a tentative cast.


From Luealla O. Parsons:



I suddenly feel my age. Someone has just told me that Nat Levine, independent producer, is going to produce James Fenimore Cooper’s “Last of the Mohicans.” I won a prize at school for an essay on that classic before I ever saw a feature movie. Does this generation find as much enjoyment in this thrilling story of Uncas and Cora?

Edwina Booth and Harry Carey, of “Trader Horn” fame, to say nothing of Hobart Bosworth, Lucille Brown, Junior Coughlan, Nelson McDowell, Walter McGrail and others have put their John Hancock on the dotted line to lend their aid to the Cooper novel.

Reeves Eason, who used to put the thrill in Hoot Gibson’s westerns, will direct. And, oh yes, I almost forgot the important part of the story. “Last of the Mohicans” is the first of a series of four serials all based on W. K. novels.




Wesley Ruggles remains at Radio. Moreover he remains there on a new long-term contract and he gets himself an important picture. This might not have been any news six months ago when Ruggles was riding high, but it’s news now for since that time David O. Selznick has made so many changes in the studio. He must think well of Ruggles to keep him on and to plan to give him John Barrymore’s next picture. And that reminds me, I didn’t even know that John was due to do another picture for Radio. I thought he was due to return to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Perhaps he is to be borrowed again.




George Brent, the good looking youth who suddenly started rating headlines and columnists’ compliments, will play opposite Ruth Chatterton again in “Children of Pleasure.” He was her leading man in “The Rich Are Always With Us.” I suppose one of these days he will wake up and find Brent has become a star unless he and Darryl Zanuck have the good sense to let him go along in good parts until he becomes better established. Too many promising careers have been spoiled by stardom.




No one received the news of the death of Phar Lap, famous Australian race horse, with more regret than Harry Rapf. Tuesday morning before anyone knew the horse was in such serious a condition, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer signed him to make a two-reeler. Harry Rapf had negotiated the deal and was to act as supervisor of the picture. Even the story was selected. Phar Lap’s sensational run at the Cuffroth handicap made him a great favorite with the film people and today regrets were expressed on all sides. It was almost as if a friend, a human friend, had passed on.


Chatter in Hollywood:

Norma Talmadge is due in Hollywood Thursday. She left New York unexpectedly to return home. When I talked to her last she had made up her mind to go through with her divorce from Joseph Schenck but I believe she has had a change of mind since that time and now there is a doubt that she will seek her freedom. If she does, she will file suit in Los Angeles, her legal residence, rather than go to Reno or Paris as she at first planned.




There are several very lovely gifts on the way to Gloria Swanson for the baby. The young lady was not expected for another two weeks and even her name had not been chosen. One of Gloria’s close friends cables a suggestion that Patricia Farmer would sound well.




According to Dorothy Mackaill herself, her friends need not get out their knitting needles to make baby jackets. The coming of the “blessed event” as prophesied is absolutely untrue. Dorothy wires from Ohio asking that we deny Walter Winchell’s report.




The pretty redhead who has been seen with Jimmy Dunn on several occasions lately is Jessie Le Sueur, the divorced wife of Joan Crawford’s brother. Jimmy, heretofore, has favored blondes.


None of the Hollywood columnists need feel self-conscious in “The Truth About Hollywood,” The character is purely fictional, according to the Radio film company. Cameramen are being sent out with small cameras to take shots of celebrities while they are not looking. So be careful, stars, and use the right fork.


Snapshots of Hollywood:



Evelyn Knapp is entertaining her brother, Orville. He played the lead opposite Fay Bainter in “The Crooner” in New York, the same play which Paramount is making.


Frances Marion is leaving her lovely garden in Hollywood to get some ocean air. She is seventeen pounds lighter since her recent illness.

From Chester Bain:



It looks more and more as if Phillips Holmes and Florence Rice were serious.

Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Wallace Ford have new M-G-M contracts.


George Raft draws a role in “The Countess of Auburn.”




Unless she is kidding, (and of course a movie star wouldn’t do that when granting an interview!) Pola Negri’s marriage to a Chicago man with a world renowned name in finance and society is just around the corner.




Mrs. George Jessel has made a condition that may block any chance of a marriage between her husband and Norma Talmadge according to Variety. Mrs. Jessel has reputedly said that she will not consent to a divorce unless she can sue her husband and name a correspondent.




Whether the story that “Prestige” played the part in the matrimonial differences of Ann Harding and husband Harry Bannister is true or not, it is said to be a fact that Miss Harding offered $200,000 cash to RKO-Pathe for the negative before its release. The studio demanded $50,000 more.




MIDNIGHT SHOWING OF PICTURE

A special midnight showing will be presented of the new Warner brothers production, “The Crowd Roars,” at the State Saturday night.

Thrills in abundance have been supplied in the picture, dealing with the nerve-wracking lives of race car drivers.

Besides James Cagney, the picture boasts Joan Blondell, Ann Dvorak, a new discovery of Howard Hughes, Eric Linden, Guy Kibbee and Frank McHugh.

Three important scenes show hurling cars crashing through track barriers, with their drivers hurtling through the air, as the awe-stricken crowds mumble with excitement. The regular engagement of “The Crowd Roars” begins April 15.