1954-01-09 — Page 6

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