Silhouettes of Stars, Players, and Directors of Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. (1937)
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| Warner Bros. (1937) | |
A collection of biographical notes about Warner Bros. talent for use in other publications.
Extracts
Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter, an importation from the English stage and screen, was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 13th, 1900. Was educated at St. Andrews College, Grahamstown, South Africa; and Aldenham School, Radlet, Hartfordshire, England. During his college days he participated in all of the usual athletics.
Entered the British Army toward the end of the war, and when mustered out of service he followed the example of his brothers and went on the stage. Was given his first opportunity by Basil Dean. Played in numerous London successes, with such well-known English stars as Gerald Du Maurier, Gladys Cooper, Herbert Marshall, Leslie Banks, Edna Best, and others. He was given his first screen opportunity by Alfred Hitchcock, the London film producer. His last English picture, "The Church Mouse," has been released In this country.
His favorite stage role is that of Captain Hook in "Peter Pan." Has no favorite screen role to date, but enjoyed playing King Theseus in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," under the direction of Professor Max Reinhardt, for Warner Brothers.
If he ever left the drama he believes he might make a success as a cook. Names as his favorite dishes, Whltstable oysters, caviar, lobster thermidor, grilled loin chop, bacon and eggs, bread and cheese and beer. Naturally, a diet means nothing to him.
His favorites of the screen are Lewis Stone, Norma Shearer, Gary Cooper, Wallace Beery, Miriam Hopkins, Bette Davis and Claudette Colbert. Is deeply interested in music, but cannot play any musical instrument. Just a good listener. Has never written anything for publication and does not sketch or paint. Nor dance or sing.
Has travelled through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Spain.
Not much interested in clothes, except from a work point of view. Prefers a tailor he knows in London.
Among pet aversions he lists: radios, new shoes, automobiles, civilization and progress.
He has a pet economy. Goes around turning off the lights. His extravagances — horse races and best wines.
To keep fit he sails a boat. Also goes in strong for golf, tennis, and swimming. Likes to watch polo matches and football games, also prize fights.
Is an incessant reader, his favorite books being John Galsworthy's "Forsyte Saga," Belloi's "Cruise of the Nona," Dorothy Parker's "Laments for the Living," Percy Fitzpatrick' s "Sock of the Bushveld," and all of Ernest Thompson Seton's animal books.
He is married to Casha Pringle, an actress. Two children, Jolyon George, age 8, and Robin Fan, age 5. Then there is "Hamish," a mongrel dog. Drives a Ford, and his boat is a cutter.
He is six feet one and ]i inches tall, has brown hair and grey eyes.
He is under contract to Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., and his latest pictures include: "The Girl From 10th Avenue," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "I Found Stella Parish." "White Angel," "Stolen Holiday," "Another Dawn," "Call It a Day," "Confession," "That Certain Woman," "The Adventures of Robin Hood."
Priscilla Lane
Priscilla Lane, youngest of the five talented Lane sisters (Lola, Leota, Martha, Rosemary and Priscilla) , the daughter of Dr. L. A. Mullican, prominent Indianola dentist, was born in Indianola, Iowa, June 12, 1917.
When Lola began her professional career with Gus Edwards he gave her the name, "Lola Lane." Proud of their sister's fame, Priscilla and Rosemary decided they too would assume that name when they began their singing careers with Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians.
To her intimates Priscilla is known as "Pat: — a nickname she has had since infancy. It was given to her then by Rosemary who had a childish difficulty in pronouncing "Priscilla."
Priscilla received her education at Indianola and made her first public appearance at a Des Moines theatre when she and Rosemary sang at a premiere of one of Lola's pictures. Later she attended and was graduated from the Fagin School of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Following her graduation, her mother and Rosemary met her there.
One day Priscilla and Rosemary were trying out some songs in the music publishing firm of DeSylva, Brown & Henderson, preparatory to returning to Iowa and a possible radio career.
Fred Waring dropped in and listened. Suddenly he offered them the opportunity of joining his Pennsylvanians. After a worried conference with their mother they signed a contract which has endured for more than five years. Priscilla was 14 then.
They opened at the Roxy Theatre in New York. The first night, Priscilla was so nervous that she began chewing gum to help her gain self-possession. She forgot to get rid of the gum, and when she appeared on the stage it got in the way of her singing. Waring chuckled, stopped the music, and began ribbing her. She gave him answers in kind and her talent as a comedienne was revealed. Just like that !
When Waring made his debut in 1933 on a national radio program, Priscilla became one of the leading comediennes of the airways. And when Waring and His Pennsylvanians signed to star with Dick Powell in Warner Bros. "Varsity Show" she signed too and scored a tremendous hit in the gay college musical.
Priscilla declares she was always the tomboy of the Mullican family. When her sisters were playing with dolls Priscilla was climbing roofs and trees, and swinging daringly on a trapeze. During her childhood she dodged practising music and carefully avoided arithmetic because she disliked them both. Who doesn't?
She is the athletic type rather than the frilly feminine. Is a good tennis player, an expert equestrienne and is fond of wild flowers. Favorite song is "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal." Is content to be a singer, dancer and comedienne — but would like to go dramatic and tragic just once !
Doesn't want to be a professional all her life. In about 10 years would like to start traveling extensively — visting Egypt, China, India and other faraway places. Both Priscilla and Rosemary are exceptionally fond of cats and adopt strays at every opportunity.
Mystery stories filled with blood-curdling screams are her favorite reading. Definitely a girl of the outdoors, she loves horses and will talk about them for hours. Reads every book on horses she can obtain and is a racing and rodeo enthusiast. Always has her candid camera handy, for photography is a pet hobby.
She has big blue eyes, blonde hair, is five feet 2½ inches tall, weighs 102 pounds, and boasts of one of the smallest waists in Hollywood — 18 inches around !
Is under contract to Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., and her current productions include: "Varsity Show."
Claude Rains
Claude Rains is his real name and he was born in London on November 10, 1890. At an early age was put in a private school, and when he reached the ripe old age of ten, he played hookey and went down to a theatre in London where he became a page boy in the day-time and a call boy at night. Fooled his parents for three months and finally confessed that he had been working in the theatre all of that time. Too late for them to do anything about it.
Immediately became enthralled with the life backstage, and rode around London on tops of buses until he learned King Richard II by heart. It still remains his favorite play. Was worried over his difficulty at this time in pronouncing the letter "R" and was sure he could never be an actor until he could pronounce this letter properly. After 18 months practice, he could say "Oysters are in season," and everything with an "R" in it without losing a spangle.
All this time he was never without a dictionary and memorized the pronunciation and meaning of about 20 words a day, thus building his vocabulary.
From call boy he became a prompter, a business manager, a stage manager, and finally an actor in small parts. Played in repertory in England and Australia in plays of famous authors including Bernard Shaw, Sir James Barrie and others.
Came to America at the outbreak of the World War and was offered a job as stage manager with the Shuberts. Suddenly decided to return to England and enlist in the Army. This turned out to be a Scotch Highland Regiment, in which he wore kilts, naturally, and was eventually transferred to a London regiment. Served in France for over a year and was gassed and wounded at the Battle of Vimy-Ridge ; and was sent to England to convalesce.
After his recovery, he decided that he liked army life so well that he would re-enlist and make it his life job. Was about to send in an application when he passed by a London theatre, met an old friend who offered him a role in a new play. The answer was, he accepted and within a few years became one of the most prominent actors on the English stage.
Subsequently, came to America and appeared in a number of Theatre Guild plays, notably, "The Moon in the Yellow River," "They Shall Not Die," "Volpone," "Napoleon's Barber."
By this time, Hollywood was beginning to sit up and take notice. As the saying goes, "Hollywood beckoned." Rains refused offers until he was approached to play the title role in "The Invisible Man." He was intrigued. Felt that this would be a grand experiment because the part depended entirely upon his voice, as the character is never seen. Scored heavily in this 'invisible' role and his success was assured. Then came important screen roles in "Crime Without Passion," "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," "The Clairvoyant," "The Last Outpost," with even more important parts in the offing.
His favorite stage role is in the play, "They Shall Not Die," his favorite screen role is that of the fighting little district attorney, Andy Griffin, in Mervyn LeRoy's, "They Won't Forget."
It is his present ambition to combine his acting career with country life. If he ever gave up dramatics, he would endeavor to make his farm in Pennsylvania pay.
Names as his favorite extravagances his farm in Cheyney, Pennsylvania. The house and farm buildings are the oldest in architecture in the State, dating back before the American Revolution. Will talk about his country home for hours at a time, and his chief hobby at the present is his endeavor to discover a remedy to kill Japanese beetles which have infested his acreage. Recently mixed a most peculiar chemical formula of his own which he found most successful — greatly to his surprise — in exterminating these acrobatic insects.
Getting back to the entertainment world for a few seconds, his favorites of the screen are Myrna Loy, Miriam Hopkins, Bette Davis and Charles Laughton. Of the stage, his favorites are Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne and Helen Westley, the latter being one of his best friends.
Is not very much interested in any arts outside of acting, has never written for publication, does not sketch or paint, nor play any musical instruments. As accomplishments, he lists plowing, farm work and physical labor.
Has traveled widely, and outside of England and America, he has been in France, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Australia. Is most interested in Ireland because of its lush greens and good earth (here's the farmer influence cropping up again). Is not very much interested in clothes, and would not be called a dandy, but would like to be able to buy his clothes in London.
His chief hate is the radio. Will not have one in the house. Also dislikes insincerity in any one, artificial or ostentatious show, or exhibitionism. Cannot stand ego in anyone but himself.
Would like to annihilate all architects who put buildings in the wrong settings. Loves simple things, and this goes for his home and his surroundings wherever he is.
To keep fit? Manual labor on that farm! Doesn't go in for much of a diet, but has nothing but fruit juice for breakfast and nothing but green salads for lunch. For a gastronomic orgy he goes in for short ribs of beef with brown gravy and all of the trimmings. He cannot cook, but says, "Who cares?"
Is extremely fond of horseback riding, and his favorite sport is to watch a horse-race. Snaps his fingers at prize fights. Is somewhat of a demon at the other end of a ping pong table.
Lists as his favorite books Horticultural Encyclopedia (you might know that), the Bible, Tolstoy's "War and Peace," and "Vanity Fair," which he read during those bus-riding days in London with his dictionary, and which still remains his favorite novel.
When it comes to pets, he goes in for Irish setters. Has three at the present. Patience, Toby and Tim, and will grin and tell you that more are on the way. Doesn't own a boat, a beach house or a mountain cabin in California. Drives a Ford car.
Is only interested in governmental problems and politics when something pops up that touches his pocketbook, or his farm.
Saves his money and has a definite financial program.
Doesn't carry any good luck charm. Will never walk under a ladder, but declares that seeing a cross-eyed woman is good luck, and in putting on his socks inside out is also good luck.
Is five feet 6 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, has brown eyes and brown hair.
He is under contract to Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., and his most recent productions have been "Anthony Adverse," "Hearts Divided," "Stolen Holiday," "They Won't Forget," "The Prince and the Pauper," "Gold Is Where You Find It," and "The Adventures of Robin Hood."
Jane Wyman
Jane Wyman was born Sarah Jane Folks, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, on January 4th, 1914.
She is French-American descent, her mother having been Le Jerne Pechelle, a singer and actress in Paris. Her father, R. D. Folks, the American head of the family, has been a municipal office holder. Mayor, and has held other political positions.
She was educated in Noyes Grammar School in St. Joseph, then Los Angeles High School in California, then back to Columbia College of Missouri. Went in for all sorts of athletics in her school days. Enjoyed tennis, soccer, volley ball, basketball, riding, and captured the tennis championship.
It was during her school days, at the ripe old age of 8 that she became an actress for the first time in a bit of footlight whimsy called, School Days." That appearance aroused the actress in her and as she grew older she appeared in other school plays including "Father Returns," "The Annual Jubilee," "Joan of Arc," in which she ambitiously played the title role. She declares that she got into motion pictures on her own inclination, saying, "I had a hunch that I might make good; saw an agent and got a job." The agent she black-jacked got her a small role in "My Man Godfrey."
She confesses that up to this time she had tried her hand at about everything including being a manicurist, hairdresser, switchboard operator, secretary, a model, and a "blues" singer.
She declares, however, that Mervyn LeRoy, Warner's producer-director, gave her her first big "break," and that whatever competence she possesses as an actress she definitely owes to him. After "My Man Godfrey," she played small roles at the Warner studio, and it was Mervyn LeRoy who gave her her first important role in "The King and the Chorus Girl." Following that she appeared in several pictures, and then Mr. LeRoy gave her the feminine lead opposite Kenny Baker in his picture "Mr. Dodd Takes The Air."
The young lady is really unusually talented. She is something of a "blues" singer and can sing "St. Louis Blues" in six different languages, and bang away at the piano at the same time.
In addition, she is something of a writer, two of her short stories having appeared in Liberty Magazine, one being "Penthouse Blues," the other "From Dusk to Dawn." She is also a fair artist and sketches in pen and ink and charcoal. Also is extremely interested in designing and interior decorating.
Naturally, her present ambition is to be a simply terrifically good actress. Her favorites of the screen are Kay Francis, Norma Shearer, Ian Hunter, Joan Blondell, Ronald Colman and Bette Davis.
Has travelled in Hawaii, Panama, Canada and Cuba, and was most interested in Honolulu and Montreal in those places. She prefers to buy her clothes in New York and declares that smart clothes are her hobby.
States that her suppressed desires are. Fame, Fortune, and Happiness.
Has some pet economies. Refuses to lend money. Hates to buy gloves and perfume. Her extravagances she declares are: clothes, shoes, movies, powder boxes, and powder puffs.
To keep fit she goes in heavy for the prescribed calisthenics, also lots of sleep. Advises people to avoid tension.
When it comes to her favorite foods, she goes for fried chicken, baked ham, scalloped potatoes, artichokes, and all sorts of fresh salads.
Doesn't do anything special in the way of beauty aids. Says her prescription is merely, "Careful adherence to simple health rules for cleanliness."
