CLiealio Sunday Trihune Deanna Durbin a Busy Movie Star at 14 Her Daily Schedule Would Stagger Many Adults was noted by Jack Sherrill, a launched as a ••B" picture, de- neighbor who is an actors' agent, veloped during the making into who heard her remarkable sing- an ••A" production. ing voice. At that time she had It knocked the box office rec- been having voice lessons with ords into tail spins, and a new Ralph Thomas, who coached her star was on her way. for two years before De Seguro- Deanna's most recent produc- la took over her training. Metro, tion, "100 Men and a Girl," has which then had Schumann-Heink Conductor Leopold Stokowski as under contract, was looking for Deanna's musical" co-star." This a child singer to impersonate production is being launched Madame as a young singer in with accompaniments of Iavtsh- • her lile story, which was to be ness. Tentative plans are that made for the screen. Sherrill "Little Lady" will be her next took her to the studio, where production. tests were made and the young- • • • ster signed. Meanwhile Mme. Schumann- Deanna was born Edna Mae Heink was not well and produc- Durbin. When Universal studio tion on the film was delayed. wanted to rename her something The pro) e c t unusual that would look good in had to be aban- lights, Hubert Voight, veteran doned arter her publicity man, now with Repub- death, and lic Films, rebaptized her Deanna. there was no Her family, Mr. and Mrs. James apparent use Durbin, come from Manchester, for young Miss England, where her rather was D u r bin's tal- apprenticed .as an ironworker. ents in Metro They emigrated to Winnipeg, studio. At t e r Canada, where Deanna was born. When she was All dressed up like a grownup. Deanna (right) with her mother at the a year old the premiere of her most recent picture. (Acme photo.) Mixing Pictures and School famlly moved to Los Angeles, Her grandmother, Mrs. W. Read gone to make. some recordings where Deanna of Winnipeg, takes great delight with Stokowski. a Difficult Task has Itved ever in getting both the east and west One of Deanna's thrills was since. Deanna broadcasts of the program. In attending the Lily Pons concert By ROSALIND SHAFFER h as an elder fact, she won't go to bed until at the Hollywood bowl in com- sister, E d 1t h, she has heard both programs, to occupy her, For instance, pany with the famous conductor. Hollywood, CaZ. well known as a fencer. every afternoon brings a voice Deanna's most recent visit with With him she has also been a "SOMETIMES it's hard mix- In addition to her fillp work lesson with Andres De Segurola her grandmother was during the dinner guest at the home of ing school and movies. Deanna has done other singing; last spring, just after Easter, from 1 to 5. Greta Garbo, who, through her From a crying scene on she has been on the Eddie Cantor when she was returning from friendship for Stokowski, has be- Her school work must be fitted the set to Napoleon's strategy at radio show during the past year. Philadelphia, whither she had come interested in the little girl. Waterloo isn't an easy jump." in in the morning and lessons Deanna Durbin, 14-year-old rno- done somehow, as she is now in tlon picture singing star, speak- high school, where home work ing; place, her home in Los Feliz is necesary to keep up progress. Heights, in the Hollywood Hills Then when she is in preparation Fame Brings Obscurity section of the city. for a new film she not only has all the routine things, such as Deanna is without predecessor Hollywood, CaZ. in this matter of being a singing fittings and tests, which film ac- tresses have, but in addition she ARY DEES, the movie star at the age of 14. actress who shot over- We went to her home to have must learn many songs, from M night i n t 0 prominence a qutet talk with the young lady which those wanted for her film will be selected by elimination. when she was selected to fill in and her mother, Mrs. Ada Dur- for the late Jean Harlow in that bin, to see just what her life is This is outside her singing lesson time. actress' unfinished sequences in like - what she thinks about, "Saratoga," has, paradoxically, what she eats, and generally how • • • been pushed back into obscurity she is different from other girls The future holds everything for the same reason. her age. Immediate fame was forecast The above statement fro m for Deanna; as a possible opera star (the Metropolitan has rnanl- for Miss Dees for her acting in Deanna gives you some idea of the Harlow roles, but M-G-M, how it looks to her. It will tell fested interest in her) the world can be hers. Yet it is a little sad which now has her under con- you something else, too; if you tract, banned all publicity con- think of it. This young lady is to see that her girlhood is bound to be so crowded with ••musts" cerning her for fear of detract- not only exceptional in the mat- ing from Miss Harlow's part in ter of having a fully matured that there will be little chance Her girlhood is so crowded with ••musts" that there is little chance for for her to do the girlish things her to do th. things that ordinary youngsters do. Here she is on location her last picture. The studio re- voice; she possesses the balance fused to allow interviews with of a much older person when it that an ordinary youngster does. during the filming of ••Three Smart Girls," (Acme photo.) "I used to like to sew," says De- the Harlow substitute and has comes to forming opinions and not released any photographs of making estimates. anna. "There isn't time for does look them up when she can the end of six months Metro let that now." get away for a little. her contract lapse after using her in connection with" Sarato- She speaks with poise, but ga " exploitation. with none of the offensive self- In answer to whether she During the six months that her in a musical short. plays a musical instrument she she was under contract at Metro Universal, then under the old This strange period of obscurt- assurance that often character- ty is not to continue indefinitly, izes child screen stars.' There says: ••I used to be fairly good she became friendly with the regime of Carl Laemmle, signed on the piano, but I have had to other children on the lot-Judy Deanna, feeling the youngster for M·G-M has plans to cast her are no silly giggles, mannerisms, as an actress in her own right nor assumed airs about Deanna. give that up for the time being." Garland, Jackie Cooper, Mickey had some unique possibilities. Since she started in films a year Rooney, Barbara Reid, Billy Bur- When the Charles Rogers outfit as soon as "Saratoga" has fin- She speaks sincerely and makes ished its run. an effort to reply to questions ago she has had no real vacation. rud, and Nan Grey. ••I have bought the studio from Laemm- with thoughtfulness. Perhaps Has Deanna any chums? For- such fun when Judy and I can be Ie, Deanna was among the few some of the secret of her natu- tunately, yes; she is proud that together. Sometimes I can steal assets facing the new manage- ralness is the fact that she comes she has the same friends today a little time; last week I went ment. Amongst a whole battery of an English·Canadian family, that she used to have over at the out on the old,lot and had a fine of young talent, unknown to where tradition does not tolerate Manchester Avenue school and time with the' kids," she said. fame, signed at that time, Dean- nonsense in children. at the Bret Harte Junior High The story of her sudden rock- na has made the best progress- .•Bootleg" photograph of Mary Dees, no pictures of whom are being The youngster faces a daily school in Los Angeles. She has eting to fame is well known. To in fact, record- smashing prog- released by her studio. This was taken when she had a small part in schedule of work that would little chance to see them, but she sum it up, at the age of 13 she ress. "Three Smart Girls" was ••Double or Nothing:' stagger the average adult. When she is working on a film Deanna has a studio day of nine hours. Letters published in this department should be «''Titten on One' side of the paper. This includes sessions with the If you wish a personal reply please inclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. hairdresser, the makeup depart- ~.i£e .1 .Le ~.~ie F•• ment, her education in the studio Dear Miss Tinee: You being a paid ing second to none. For its abillty to Dear Miss T,ln4!!e: I wish you'd print a themselves and give the public what It school. and her work on the set. movie critic and lone who finds fault preach a sermon a thousand times as im- picture .of that darling comedienne, Marie wants, as Is done - and profitably-in When she isn't working in a film gratis, this mis- pressionable as any words delivered from Wilson, in your every other business? The public - the there are just as many matters sive will surely be the pulpit It should not only be sanctioned column. She's a majority of the public - d06 not want little appreclated. by the censor board but should encourage dear! She's very double feature programs, and many whom More so, because juvenile as well as adult audiences. Where nice to her fans, I know are practically boycotting movies my fault· finding could the spirit of "love thy neighbor" too. She sent me already. is directed toward and the need for "brotherly love" be bet- a lovely photo of I have been in various groups when the one of your re- ter exemplified than in this movie? herself and has matter was discussed, and everyone was c e n t inconspicu- Hoping you are well and that your future answered all my decidedly against double features. As a ous reviews. cinema sallies find a more agreeable read. letters. I have result there are lots of folks who, rather Don't you be- er, I am, sincerely, A. L. SELRAHC. several from her. than endure the agonies of two pictures, lieve you were a Editor'8 note: I am ve111well, thank you. She writes such will spend the evening entertaining friends bit off color on nice letters and or reading or listening to the radio. I am reviewing "T h e Dear Miss Tln4!!e: What's happening to is so friendly. I sure we all go to the movies for a few Wander,lng Jew"? the mystery stories nowadays? Or should feel as if I know hours' entertainment and relaxation-and I don't see how I call them mystery stories? Perhaps I her. not to see whether we "can take it" and you could justify expect too much, but the latest mystery Her e's hopln' how much. the sanctity of shows have been so "lousy" it's getting to see a picture There aren't enough movies as it is to your column and to be a joke. of her. go around all the suburban and outlying the intelligence Take, for instance, "The Thirteenth MARIE WILSON CONRAD VElDT Chicago theaters, so that the public can of your readers Chair." Have you ever seen anything as RITA JANE She wrlt.s such nle. Amataur critic thinks w.1I have a little choice of the program for by giving t hat bad? When it was all over I wondered HANSEN. l.tt •••. of his actln9. the evening. Why make it worse by hav- picture s u c h a just what it ~as all about. Do you by any Edito,Js note: Here's havin' what you're short, senile send-oft. I can honestly say chance know? hopin' f01·. ing every house show two pictures? without fear of treading on the better MovIes like "The Bat" and "Cats Miss Tln4!!e,I have read your column for judgment of the average moviegoer that Creep" used to send a chill up your spine years and have always enjoyed your views this vehicle, starring Conrad Veidt, estab- so that you'd be creepy all the way home Dear Miss Ttnee : It isn't a habit of immensely. I know your readers would lishes a new height In motion picture artis- from the theater. mine to try to break Into print with my give you three rousing cheers if you would try, emotionalism, and dramatics. Conrad I guess all I can do Is wait until Holly. views on any subject, but the double fea- campaign for single features Veidt's acting, the superb photography, wood decldes to give me (and many other ture movie programs have so infuriated Sincerely yours, FLEUR STARR. and the excellent direction make this with- people) a real mystery thriller. me that I thought you might perhaps Editor'8 note: I'd Uke the" three rous- ••I used to like to sew," Deanna out doubt another masterpiece. ' DOROTHY KELLER. publish my letter and it would reach the ing cneers " all 1'igh.t, but I gue88 I'll let says, ••but there isn't time for that As a classic It compares with the greatest Editor'8 note: Careful, Dorothy! Don't eyes of a few movie theater managers. you do the campaigning. Perhaps your Mary Dees, who completed unfin- now," of acting achievements and deserves a rat- grow blas~. Why don't the theaters wake up to letter will 8tart something. ished roles of the late Jean Harlow.

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