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Show 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; 11 you heard "Transatlantic Call," the British Broadcasting corporation-CBS program, you heard him, Introducing local inhabitants who told the story ol 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 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 s 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 f 24. Director Tay Garnett had a heart; instead of tossing out the test lie 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." Eobert Benchley's given up air travel for the duration. "I'm tired of sleeping in airports," says he. Eecently he had to rush from New York to Hollywood for EKO'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 funn any more; they must work to help win the war. Metro feels that linking up Mar-lene Mar-lene Dietrich for the feminine co-starring co-starring lead opposite Ronald Col-man Col-man in "Kismet" is ofte of the most Important casting assignments of the year. She'll play Zuleika, harem queen, sweetheart of Haji, beggar. "The Uninvited" Is laid in Devonshire, Devon-shire, so English accents are required re-quired of the players. Ruth Hus-ey, Hus-ey, 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 born 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 Bel- lamys, Jerry Colonnas, Rita Johnsons. John-sons. $2,500 for the George Rafts, Joan Fontaines, Frederic Marches. $5,000 for a list including Bette Davis, Jean Arthur, Cary Grant and Spencer Tracjk X ODDS AND ENDS Ray Block's original musical background for one of the "Crime Doctor shows becomes a popular tunc, "Look at the Moon" . , . Gertrude Lawrence becomes a radio star Sept. 30th . . . Conrad Thibaut has flown more than 75,000 miles in the past three months on concert tours for army camps, doing it between broad' casts . . . You'll hive to look sharp to set? Tommy Dorsey in the new Red $k!ton-Kleanor VotvcH picture in which his brothrr Jimmy and his orchestra play n prominent part youil find his contribution en of the fttnr.itwt things in the picture Judy Gir land's gained S pounds, touring army camps: |