OCR Text |
Show sTagescreenMdio By VIRGINIA VALE . Released by Western Newspaper Union. IT. BURGESS MEREDITH certainly didn't expect, when he went overseas, that he'd find himself in a Midlands Mid-lands market town in England Eng-land that has no cinema, no railroad station, and only two streets, during part of his spare time. But there he was; If you heard "Transatlantic Call," the British Broadcasting corporation-CBS program, you heard him, Introducing local inhabitants who told the story of how the war has changed their town. Its contribution LT. BURGESS MEREDITH to the war is so vast that its name can't be mentioned. Incidentally, we hear that Meredith, Clark Gable and James Stewart may get leaves In order to make army pictures. Jean Pierre Aumont's been having hav-ing name trouble. After his first American picture, "Assignment in x Brittany," was released, he got so many fan letters asking how to pronounce pro-nounce his first name that it was decided to drop it. Then along came more letters saying that the writers liked the triple name so it's as Jean Pierre Aumont that he'll be listed in "The Cross of Lorraine." Robert Walker, the sensational sailor In "Bataan" who was so good In that picture that he was cast for the second male lead In "Madame Curie" even before "Bataan" was finished, fin-ished, nearly missed his big chance. In his first test for the "Bataan" role, he played the sailor as a man of 24. Director Tay Garnett had a heart; instead of tossing out the test he explained to Bob that the sailor was a lad in his 'teens. Another test was shot, he got the part, and before "Madame Curie" was finished fin-ished he had the lead in "See Here, Private Hargrove." Robert Benchley's given up air travel for the duration. "I'm tired of sleeping in airports," says he. Recently he had to rush from New York to Hollywood for RKO's "The Sky's the Limit." In Kansas City they gave his seat to a ferry pilot. Five hours later he got another an-other plane; in Dallas he was put off; reason, another ferry pilot. He spent six hours there; sat out another an-other five in Tucson. Walt Disney and Major Alexander Alexan-der Seversky are making a special spe-cial broadcast for British Broadcasting Broadcast-ing company's Home Service in England on September 20. Rehearsing Rehears-ing for it at the New York studios, Disney explained that Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the other pet Disney characters can't just be funny any more; they must work to help win the war. Metro feels that linking np Mar-lene Mar-lene Dietrich for the feminine co-starring co-starring lead opposite Ronald Col-man Col-man in "Kismet" is one of the most Important casting assignments of the year. She'll play Zuleika, harem queen, sweetheart of Hajl, beggar. "The Uninvited" is laid in Devonshire, Devon-shire, so English accents are required re-quired of the players. Ruth Hus-sey, Hus-sey, born in Providence, does fine. So does Gail-Russell, who hails from Santa Monica. Ray Milland's having hav-ing a bad time; he was bom in Wales and went to Kings college, but he's been exposed to Hollywood Holly-wood for seven years. From Charlie Martin we hear that the CBS Playhouse pays its guest stars on this scale: the Madeleine Carrolls, Monte Wooleys and Mar-lene Mar-lene Dietrichs $1,500 per session. $1,000 apiece for the Ralph Bellamys, Bel-lamys, Jerry Colonnas, Rita Johnsons. John-sons. $2,500 for the George Rafts, Joan Fontaines, Frederic Marches. $3,000 for a list Including Eette Davis, Jean Arthur, Cary Grant and Spencer Tracy. ODDS AND ENUS-Ray Block' original muiical ijm huround jrtr one of the "Crime. Uoclor" tlmwi bvconutt a pnmlnr tunnr "Look at the Moon" . . . CftrlTtuit: l.awrnrwe bccomr a radio tlar Snfit. .30i . . . Conrad Thibaul hn fltrvm more, than 7oJii(i mile in ilia pait llirrti monlfit on concert touri for army carnf, doitm it between broad catlt . . . You'll h'WK to look ilmrn to ten Tommy l)orey in the new Ited Skelton-l:letmor I'owell piclura in which hit brother Jimmy and hi orchestra play a prominent pnrtyou'll find hi contribution onn of thti funniett thtiift Ol the pi turn . . . Judy (garland' gained H pound, Uiurinit army camptl |