THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1954.
Audrey Hepburn: The Golden Girl Of Stage And Screen
HE dignified Baron Aernoud van Hcometra
T
try to
By LOGAN GOURLAY
Murton
Two
summon- plotely, and even it sho has the
and recommended Other players-Lione! revue, ed his daughter become parily anglicised,
Cathleen Nesbitt. Aho her to producer-director Mario and
Scenes from preparing a Ellen to the library of the has retained a full measure of Zamp), who wi
Roman Holiday, fine old country house in
family pride-and she does not new film Laughter in Paradise, script and an interview."
The text was sent to Amerier, by entranced Zampi was 50 conceal that. The Baronesa Holland to administer some Ellen van Heersira will never Audrey Hepburn he offered her and back came this cable im- parental advice.
in the film mediately: "Congratulations fine starring role be known simply as the mother of Audrey Hepburn-which is N though he had na
experience test Hepburn, All here, including
Meiklejohn, think her great." will be before the cameras, don't it should be. But she
Meilcicjohn chief of But she replied: "Pia sorry, Beild
12 short mount's talent department,] I've just signed to do
The cable was followed by a tour in a show, I can't break IL contract.
be letter. wouldn't
Under the Cho
heading "Audrey Hepburn," fulr."
underlined in red, it said:
It included the following: "Whatever you tlo associate with the stage or with actors and actresses,
You'd bring disgrace on the family."
The baron, ex-Governor of the Dutch colony of
had
there at every stage to offer counsel and encouragement when
quired and requested.
THE
Natural
be
Surinam and a well-known E baroness was given early figure at the court of Queen signs that her daughter was Wilhelmina, reminded destined to some kind of daughter Ellen that their performer. ancestors
occupied positions of honour a atatesmen and soldiers since the 12th century. More than 30
years have passed since that interview in the library. Today, daughter Ellen, ne the greyish-haired Baroness van Heemstra, has this ta
My:-
may also have been
thu fact that by
the east of the show included
Marcel
Bon, the young Frenchman with whom she had
the first recorded romance.
her contract, which they are steadfastly refusing-even for a handsome proiii.
Said their production chief, Scotsman Robert Clark, who is famed for a blunt honesty rare in Wardour Street: "Wo don't
want to sell out for a quick pro- it. We're taking lot of care to pick the right subject for Audrey When we find it, we'll Hepburn, Parn- fongo ahead."
BIRGERAC
First day actor.
LONDON. FACQUES BERGERAC,
tan
MONSIEUR BERGERAC GULPED
I love
by HAROLD CONWAY
you, he said
suitably rugged "Look at me and say you don't looking in blue jeans love ME and THEN tell me
leather jacket, you want me to go!” two steps forward, good gulped once, and began to
declaini.
Rociutes make it clear that they are confident they cutt make An outstandingly Hepburn film.
and tnok
But I must point out that,
"I'm in love with you," "Exercise the option on with one or two exceptions, like
Laughter In Paradise and Thehe informed Ginger Rogers, Uis Indy. The test in
Yellow Balloon, his studio's 1st while the studio tainly one of the best over made in Hollywood, New York of fim credits in recent years is turned. "I don't care about cameras or London,
Hearty бол-
- not encouraging.
It would be more than un- anything gratulations on bebatr of
else - before I fortunate if Audrey Hepburn knew you. Paramount--Now York and
What's that to Werd This Hollywood,
Includes
home from brought
do with me?" Balaban Freeman and Hart-
Americs at this shining stage of her career and dropped into м.
the morass of mediocrity,
1
II FO
so it would be the rxt and "I remember," she told
that me, only known occasion
the un- "when Audrey was only three i dedicated Audrey has been took her to an afternoon band faithful to her corver by missing concert when we were visiting an opportunity. Folkestone.
She
disappeared But three weeks Inter she Me:srs Baladon Freeman
on went back to Zumpi asking if and Hartman are from thy side. I found her
Paramount's offer. three top production executives,] the other side of the bandstand, she could still accept his dancing up and down in ume to She With tou jate. Another The Hepburn file, which the muste, with a small audience actress
Fuel
found. been
All
quote by permission of Para collected round her.
that was left was a small part mount's London office, ends with as a cigarette girl. She accepted. a personal note from the subject
it And
was this part which herself to Richard Mealand. I led directly to her chotes, by includes these words in her Hollywood's Paramount studios, as the star of Roman Holldiz, the film wideli
her sudden fame.
"But the did that kind of thing without any
prompting
broad seruwi:---- be
"I tried to obey my father. But I grew up wanting more thun anything else fo English, alim, and an actress.
She has partly succeeded. She has made her home in England since 1948, and she spenka Eng- Hish perfectly. She has, too. slun unmatronly figure.
She
froni me or other adults, It was spontaneous and natural, so the didn't appear to be one of ther awful little prodigies,"
Among Audrey's childhood
a
audiences were her two half-brothers, with whoi was brought up.
an
become has never actress-but she is the mother uf Audrey Hepburn,
newest Golden Girl of stage and serven,
*
It is the usual story, of course mother, us frustrated actress, realises her ambitions through her duughter.
But fortunately for daughter and
everyone associated with her career--the baroness is uví the usual dominating, Interfer-
insufferably ing,
stage mother.
older
she
the
brought
Interested
HERE as an extract from
Teller dutert July 9, 1961, writen by Richard Mealant,
"Heaven help me live up to
mit this.
She has told me herself; "It's the second big in which will prove if i was really worthy of the first."
They are now settlech in Dutch East Indies, in touch with
famous their
Mister
taly by correspondence.
She was the only child of her
The second, Sabrina Fair mother's second marriage, which Paramount's London petchretion ended in eration and divorce boss, to hat New York office:- co-starring Humphrey Bogart is now completed, and within a "I have another candulate for Before Audrey was ten.
Hep few months we will be able Roman Holiday--Autrey
ky Tier apply her own test of worthi-
11059. In
possessive
HE
'God-given'
A
CHE could be forgiven for ex-
hibiting
Aarce
pride In within daughter who,
three years, hus leaped from obscurity in the chorus to international slurdom.
Tough
little
life
My?
1
WIS
bit
tourt
However, she has a faculty shared by few actresses, for knowing what is good for her, and it is unlikely she would accept the wrong subject. it also
unlikely that A.B.P.C. would try to force her to.
"Cut," said the director, and
the cameras stopped. The stor gavo her leading man's hand an encouraging squeeze. Mr Miller young Frenchman
The patted him on the back.
for whom even as Ginger Rogers's hus Hollywood could not find a part
band was now launched on a screen career in his own right. More or leeS, ...
In the picture, called "Life- Hollywood director David line," Mis Rogers la playing un Miller called a halt, "All ex-actrees who is kept in Ibury right, Jacques," he said on the Riviera by a suave and soothingly. "Now take it easy, will you? There's no need to be nervous--let's take it again, quietly, slow- ly.
This Incuits Includes a re- markable degree of self-criticism | Ginger Rogers stood and self-assessment. She told quite still and said nothing. me recently in Hollywood:-
She wore a light
(But mother has also admitted that her "ugly duckling," with younger her fasting eyes and smile, at-age of 42. tracted attention wherever she
went.)
summer
Miss
shady drug racketeer, M. Ber- gerac is a young sculptor with whom, says the script, "she has an instant affinity of heart and mind."
Ginger Rogera chose the story, has invested some of her say-
הט
"It was good preparation for my own performance," he told me. "I And Gingalre's acting such an inspiration."
GINGER ROGERS She puts up some of the money,
YOUTH GOES 'COUNTY'
By Yorke Henderson
LONDON. AROM Land's End to John Groats mark well the
and
Wi know how that Abe did livo up to it all in Roman
"I don't courder myself address, with her hair in a ings in the production. For the Holiday. But what t the beautiful, I have few good future?
features, f you take them one page-boy cut; transformed past week Jacques Bergerac, uniform of tteflanced by one. Mother used to call me by the
though not required on the set, make-up depart-
Around had been standing by with his
pubs an ugly duckling.
ment, she tooked ten years eyes
playing fixed Miss Rogers's fields you'll see it. You glimpse than her actual every action
It as a sports car bumbies past.
It varies but little. Tho theme is "County". The Tweal of corduroy
cap snugged well down over the eyes; drainpipe trotisers topping cavalry-twill They have left the West End suede ankle-boots; monstrously- hotel where a suite was booked pocketed hacking jackets, flare- for them on their arrival three skirted and vented. The whole weeks ago; are staying quietly smacking of Edwardian acting
the In Surrey. To be nearer
yards. to allow studio--and, possibly, the new star some undisturbed coaching in his part? The star's wife will not say.
10
Escape
At Shepperton Studio Rogers was acting her first im scene with 20-year-old Jacques Bergerac, who is her third hus- The next flim will probably UDREY continued: "Since band. For M. Bergerac the occα- Le "Please
mude
Britain
A can't under
depend on beauty 1 sion was even more novel; old 201
contract signed with have to contrcntrate
was his first day's on learning photographs
Associated British Picture Cor- to be a really good actress. But any flim. poration after she had appeared pretty soon I'll have to cacape in Laughter in Paradise.
to riduc
of
FOR
Valuable
an
-XJ
"Since I made Ronan Holi- day in aly I've wanted to go back to wander about just re- laxing and living.
"You can't act unless you've
I'll come back for what's
it
in
pluying Laughter in Paradise.""
New York answered: A. JER father, J. liepburn airmail report and
Ruston, Wus
English netress Audrey Hepburti.'" 103
herself businessinuli. Audrey
They were still interested. emembers
about hint, course, in other candidates, and "except that he
added: "Is French actress fund was
of they horses.
Colette Hipert practica) possibi- Her mother suid lost week; "J
Obediently, he began again, Mealand rent his is don't know where he
report now.
"I'm in love with you.. We haven't been in touch for candidate Hepburn stating:-
OR A.B.P.C. it is years."
"She is 22 years old, 51, 6in. tremely valuable contract, lived, and so far I haven't had only care about now-because I love you and can make you fait. which in height, darkish brown She has taken the father's as
gives them her servicea very much tune.
happy. equipped for three films spread over three better well w the mother's role in the She is a little on the thin side Thure development of Audrey, and
but very appealing.
years at a low salary, because ahead.
Miss Rogers glanced fleeting- Incidentally I often wonderly at the director, who nodded But she told me last week: "I they have seldom been separated is no question of her ability and it was drawn up before Roman
well. can really take no credit for any for more than a
Golden what my ancestors would say if dunces
Her Holiday mado her the months, she
content. With relief, clear
Girl. Biti
they could see me now in the spoke talent Audrey may have. If it's But because, unlike the clutch speaking votee is
her own line: talent,
με extremes The A.B.P.C. chiets now say forbidden profession."
Pietro-no-don't it's God-given. I ing trade union of stage mothers, youthful with no
It's my belief that even the Please go." Con- generously: "Of course we will might as well be proud of a blue eh has not tried to monopolise accent. She looks more
Acrnoud van sky, or the paintings In
salary in bristling Baron give her a higher the her daughter completely, she has mental than English."
Heemstro, if he were still alive, Studio very keeping with her new status.
They could have claimed her would forgive her. for A
THE END before Sabrina Fair, A Alm the second Parmouni film, And they could have claimed if now instead of giving per- mission for her New York stage appearance in Ondine,
pens this month.
real
fow
Very
Flemish exhibition at the Royal kept her affection and respect, The reply said,
Academy,"
It is, I must comment, a re mark of unnatural objectivity.
But it can be explained.
The baroness is an intelligent, Geositive womati, afraid of com- Initting the worst
**xcesses
1.
avoid other matemal
the
mother
OH! them, she rushes to the
extreme, hiding
her
pride.
But not entirely.
that
It is sigui
are
more
Beant
There pictures of Andrey in their
than London fat
of Flemish masters. In fact, pictures of Audrey at every stage of her career dominate the depor.
However, it is also that the name plate on the rea door of the Bat, which is a per- manent base for Audrey her mother, displays the name Hepburn below Hecinstra.
significant
came
Auxious
Life was tough and earnest interested Hepburn for them when they
to see her sounest on film,"
Their Interest increased, und, London in 1948 after the bitter
within
few days, they seat 11 war years in Holland.
this message: "Ask Hepburni O.K. change her last 247410 tu Audrey's avoid comhet Katharine Hep
(around burn." her mother : touk
replied: a job managing the block
*
T
supplement
gul's wages therus
10 a week)
Audrey
Hepburn of "Decidedly not, 11 you want me, Mayfair fints Where they now you'll have to like the name
own name-plate. 100," huve their own
She doesn't admit it now, but she must have been dix- appointed when Audrey turned down her first opportunity to star In I film at a salary that would have lifted standard of living.
came
'Fine test'
their PARAMOUNT, however, would
not decide definitely If they The opportunity
after wanted her until they saw she had been appearing in Cell in test.
End and Landeau's West
For even if the buroness has failed to obey her father
COTT-
revue
her
which
But they have waived their light, knowing that each pro duction
should mhance
her
value as an international star.
In other words, they should benellt hugely from the prestige
com- which other panies have helped to bulia. This I suppose is shrewd show busines.
But
I suspect that A.B.P.C. her have
their ปร postponed Hepburn fim because they have An inter-office งก เu. went not known what to do with her,
York from Lunaton 10 Now
Still they are, at the moment, offers with Robert Lennard, ensting diree- saying: "Test ranged Pinewood being inundated
18, 1951. from Paramount and all the tor of Associated British Plature Studios, September Corporation, had noticed her in Thorold
directing. other Hollywood studios to buy
Sauce Piquante,
Young folk love delicious Coca-Cola
Drink
Coca-Cola
Delicious and
Refreshing
Butiled under authority at The Coca-Cola Company by HONGKONG BOTTLERS. Foamt be, M.3.A.
Dickinson
Coca-Cola, gally sparkling, pure as sunlight - of course young people love it, enjoy Its matchless flavour. On a pleasant afternoon what a delight to sharo a plossint moment with a friend as you share the delicious refreshment of Coca-Cola.
.330.|
in
she
No. on.... go
"I love you," vehemently Insisted Pierre, a single-minded hero it ever there was
one.
"I am just an actress In new picture, doing what the director tells mede all the per- formars must do. What opinions I may express to my husband outside the studio, or he to me, would be entirely personal and unofficlul," says Gingaire.
stable.
You ask why the youth of Britain's stolid middle-class should delve back fifty years for a clothes style?
Well, not because it's comfortable. Not even it's flattering.
more because
Nu. The real answer is this. It is a subconscious gesture of deftance. A healthy nose- thumbing at an age of drape- FOOTNOTE-One important shapes, polychromatic eckwear member of the "Lifeline" set-up and production-ino ilving. has remained in Hollywood-to my regret, ns 1 should have liked to meet him. He is part- author of the original story; hig namo is Rip Van Renkle.
It these four men succeed–
BRITAIN WILL HAVE ALL
THE BEEF SHE NEEDS
FOUR
sity sclentists
By ROBIN HUTCHEON
of their
tirem
into 'incubator
In Rebellion
For the young men who sport it are in rebellion. Since, how- ever, they're too "healthy minded" to indulge in anything as introvert as psycho-urmlysis, It's most unlikely they would admit as much.
But let's suppose for a moment one of their could be lured into a psychiatrist's consulting room. Expert probing would probably show that his subconsciotas took a nasty knock when he quit Blying a Spiläre, commanding a tank or helping to run a sub- marine,
д
NOUR Cambridge Univer- poorer quality dairy cown
KQ plant
The Britain ho know had are that these eggs could develop cows".
changed drastically. Hollywood, within the incubator mothers, "By using artificial insemina-Mr Haymond Chandler and the working on a project to ex-
"These 'incubators' would tion as well it might be possi- United States Army between pand Britain's beef cattle eventually givo birth to ble to have an incubator cow them had managed to rob herds to the stage when the pedigree beef calves with all in Australia giving birth to a whole generation of young
prize calf whose father was in Britons "of
oll nearly
their country will be entirely self- the characteristics
South America sufficient in beef production. original parents,
whose national character. In other words, to the "It would therefore be possi- mother was glad
The G.I. invasion had left in a period of years. in with intense
application its walce a generation too ready stage when exports from ble over
years to jcer corby" at anything
Argentina are no longer to the stage when the country be possible to raise to podigree was Frankie Laine. needed.
would be entirely self-sufficient class every cow and bull" in Bo our young man subcon- in beet production". Just before I left England re-
the world, and so it goes on-sciously cast around for the "But, as usual, there is a buk,
but, it all hingos the red-brick
on a new most British things he could cently I visited
find. And he found what he laboratory of the School of mang. It is an infection which method we are trying out.
developer after tho Agriculture, Cambridge, where the cow
we succeed the project was looking for in the strong-
re- hold of British conservatism Britain's loading agricultural eggs have been transplanted, will still require intense
for probably quite physiologist, 09-year-old Dr. and so far in Britain it has search
a the "County". John Hammond (better known not been possible to carry out few years,” as the "father of artificial in- successful transplantations, semination") told me about his work
Australia, New Zealand and end this is our aim to build over a period of many
up Britain's beef cattle herds using these methods, it would British; whose sartorial paragua
Pinpoints
producing
Ord
Lérilisatio
ovum,
It can produco num-
Possibilities
Incubators
*Tho British
in ita
No Different
"Ho affected the mannerisms with the well-cut tweeds along "Some American scientista
of "the fine old English gentle- have obtained three calves
Government man", although his own back- from five eggs transplanted, knows of Dr Hammond's ground was probably middle- but their technique involves a search and the vast possibilities class in the extrane Tali, grey-haired Dr Ham- major operation on the cow inherent
muccessful mond sat on a stool in his which we are trying to avoid. development, The Ministry of laboratory
Puffing his pipe. .There are other problems Agriculture has started a huge "Starting from the beginning after we've found a solution plan to develop British grass-
andy the object briefly is this: by to the first mag--one ls to d to support vast boot When it came to picking a car injecting hormones in prize find out whether the fertilised cattle herds,
for himself he jibbed at prosent- There is no danger of this day production models cons before conception it has eggs can be preserved for
with been found that instead of tow daya."
scheme reducing Brimin's dairy their Transatlantic bulges and eattle heads, wyn Doctor Ham-harmonica fronta,
mond,
Coven
thoughage Instand he chose something ovamsay 20, 30 or 40. Doctor Hammonal says the numbers of poorer quality aggressively Belilah; an elderly
why the eggs dairy cows will have to be used eggs we is no reason. tva tr
Rolle or Invicta, And allow to fertilise normally in should
preserved, an sido the cow, and then four Similar transplanting opera- cattle production); as: thene days after conception, with A Hons have already been carried cows would never be used for penny ho hrad to keep its
massive « engine, turning, simple
we've out with rabbits, and it was brooding dairy cattle anyway.
thought apparatus
it well worthwalls. For developed, wo extract the eggs discovered that these
The stbome to develop no money could buy the de- could bo while they are still no blager days, while they shipped from ready started by the rtfelt of roaring superelliously
Britain's preserved for four
beef hards has cal Ticious, indefinable atismction than pinpoints.
**What we have been trying an experimental farm in the insemination of Friesians and something steek and shiny fron to do
United
across States,
the Shortboth cowi *with the
Detroit. to transplant: these Alantic by plano, to Cam semen of Hereford or Aberdeen But ferlised eggs by injecting
don't
got the wrong item Angus bulls, the crom of plusse. There's nothing barloany which is rogarded as
are good anti-American about 2018 Mỹ
dude. America'around mea
bar
do is
bo not
incubator for the beet PISA I took every half.
animal.
j
them into the uterus of other ridge University by train. COWN which act as Incubators while the eggs develop.
cow eggs in tho same way, "If we could accomplish this there org really tremendous #uccessfully, I think that with possibilities aliend," Bald Dr with
application armée,
produca A Hammocki.
"It we can pitulirva fortilised bestiné - kovi· 35mholism 163 ] would not ziá: wait"differently.
intensa
pemen
of
a cross Lone
Herefords were the FETTO". IWERDd., period of your the posibilition My bed routed as he were attractive which in Low Hand, atten
on: "It could perhaps meen in the poorer quality Joseondant for it. You aban
hoard what “We could
We could 100 fwekililei" whất
which will young Greeks, had to born bug the incubator the Indus of Homan Cres figen bellgren, Kirkeable Ceny them fi lenkkaa MOLESTAW OF