1957-08-17 — Page 8

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[GUST THE” CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1957.

*SHOW BUSINESS

Hollywood... I I see it with a sigh

*

* * * * *

RENE MacCOLL in THE BIG FILM CITY

says

TENACIOUS little band of elderly millionaires whose photographs once graced the bedroom walls of countless romantic girls all over the world looks like having at last outstayed its long welcome

A

This group of game but greying warhorses, whose ears automatically prick up at the sound of the challenging command "Lights! Cameras! Action!" includes the historic names of Gary Cooper, James Cagney, James Stewart. Clark Gable, Fred Antuire, and Spencer Tracy.

Stalwarts All fix of these stopped having to worry about

Why, then, don't they retire their bank accounts a couple of instead of merely talking about

tendes

their it? (Astaire hos All are ako.

"retired" a fts, and one or two are, as the phrase goes, "pushing sixty."

there erstwhile glamour boys should still be asked to play romantic Teads at

this time of day is one which is meeting with few elcers from the new generation of American moviegoers.

But the notion That

frast twice since the last war.} The answer is (1) that they donT wand to; (2) that Holly- wood--which I have never found

-But Inicly ugly murmurs of revolt have been heard from teenagers across the land.

►

""

"The names that made the legend find it tough'

Oki

theatres.

millions of youngsters You don't have to know how I still says "Hollywood" in

been swooning and to act to be a film star nowa- now this summer comes

in

But the ultimate disaster. For the 1st time business at the drive ins tou has been terrible,

And the fact has to be faced that the latest offerings of the Guard are not helping mach.

When

Americans of high school and college age son Astaire making love to Audrey promising prospects still being Hepburn In "Funny Face," or "groomed Cyd Churise in "Silk Block- that is mit. In they are apt to laugh in umbarrassment or jeer,

young

to

are

He has taken a 'harsh panning The from everyone, and since the who have

gigantic white lettering high up over the wall from days you just have to know on a mountainside above the story is set in the Old Son screeching

cun confidently be how to sell songs, Sign here, city, but the huge sign begins there are many inbs about how the box hy "looks like Rhett Buller's expected flock to see the please, make the same sort of 16 look like some historic relle father. (Gable's most famous owner of the wall on the screen holses in front of the camera of another age, like the Long triumph was as Rhett Butler in and they do re. Elvis Presley that you did into the juke box, Man of Wilmington In Sux,

Cone the pre-war classic "Gone With was the rel in the field but and bingo a star is born.

the imperious the Wind.")

the rush is on,

Whether the Booneses, the Hollywood queens" gone the Well, what is Hollywood doing

and rotatering high-living Harry- There is Tommy Sands, who Griffiths, the Sandses, this situation? Are used to be in the Presley show the Presleys, will still be around pores and John Gilberts and about

Gr the screen

the 20 years from Valentinos,

personality- and after selling millions of his No. own

packed directors such ay records was signed by now is anyone's guess. Twentieth Century-Fox, made

Lubitsch and Griffith, "The Sinding Idol," and now saya: "But I wanna be an actor real actor' Pat Boone

for stardom"?

I

Yes, those middle-aged acting millionaires may creat A bit now and then, and some of their close-ups may be a trifle disconcerting.

Tracy seems to be coming to

But in sheer persistence una in so woeful n state of Hollywood had become resign terms with fate; s

for quick returns (5,000,000 plus records sold) has nex1 Desperate Glenrray 05 on this present ed to the fnci of shocking picture is to be Ernest Heming and sure things" In an in- starred in the fim "Bernadine" durability I don't somehow see

cold and

Andy them surpassing difficult und now "April Love";

the members "The Old Man and the creasingly

But at least they represent visit-keeps hoping desperately box-olice business at the con-

wis's

old "Dorge something of the Hollywood continuing to vamp ventional movie theatres fot that by

Sei and Tracy doesn't play world, Hollywood is now seek Griffiths, the South Carolina of today's good

who rosa vin Dolley Club" (domo dolicy is that used to be, when the big on these ngixí several years past-but the the Fea

ing the short cut and making singing teacher, away diligently

sip Jukes to a contract with Hollywood for wig), masters had until now

"stars" out of juke the

up on the mountainside But "Gable, The quintessence overnight planes an assured, it diminished, im

In that way Dey Warnery and who sang in Elia And I don't really see them was still a signal for excitement source of income can sill be re- ncouraged themselves with tho at glamour for a generation past, box volcos.

recent "Face in the doing anything much to restore instead of being just a marker "ready-made" Kazan's to be made has crashed dianally in his latest can bank on a tained, if only from the more excellent

the old-time Hollywood legend. for something that has vanished, Crowd." venerable of fans,

"drive film "Band of Angels,"

market.

profits In the summertime

A CABLE ARRIVED LATE... AND THREE LIVES WERE CHANGED

THE

Sylvia and Fairbanks

in gilt chairs

marry

court in London was pucked for young Lord Ashley's divorce action in November 1934. He accused his wife, Sylvia, of misconduct. He named no co-respondent the world's leading film atar, Douglas Fairbanks ren. Not maturidly, the public expected sensation. But they did not get it. For neither Sylvia nor Fairbanks contested the ease.

The emat was told that Ashley and his wife-the girl from the Midnight Follies whom he had married in 1927 in defiance of parental wrath-had not lived together since 1928, Misconduct was alleged at the Hyde Park Hotel and at South Mimms, where Fairbanks hud taken a house while filming in Britain.

In eight minutes fila: Ashley gut hly divorce... with

cos's against Fairbanks.

After it was all over, Sylvia said:

1 am very happy. All the horrible worries of the past are now over. In six months time

when the degree is made ab- solute I shall be able to marry whom I choose."

CONTINUING THE SYLVIA ASHLEY STORY

From obscurity Syivia Ashley had won herself a place in the world's headlines by her marriage into the aristocracy. Now an even more sensatiopat event was predicted: her marriage to the world's most talked-of fiìm star, the fabulous, awashbuckling Douglas Fairbanks sen. But Fairbanks had a wife with whom be was rauch in love. Her name: Mary Pickford. And Lady Ashley was still marricil to an earl's son....

by RODERICK MANN

Sylvia was in bubbling moodness to watchers on the bank

Rs they waited to embark the tender that was

On

she

choo'c. If he

came

Lo Lake then down Southampton Water, But no Fairbanks. As photo-

Nobody doubted whom would

back

Fairbanks, meanwhile,

scandal.

II Sylvia

around

He had brought with him an not show it on the cruice, expensive diamond bracelet

as

a reconciliation present but

Mary retasnd it.

MATURED

did

by spectacular gymnastics,

DELIGHTED

hooters,

บล

voyage ego-

yacht

As

said

at the

his

"This is why," accountant. He showed Fair- barks the cost

four months' cruise, It was more than £20,000.

ahocked, Douglas was left the meeting shaklog

handled

Je his

the

Jand ...anywhere you want, We'll be happy

▪་ན་ ▪

This WES no longer the conndent, www.sf- buckling Fairbanks. Here he was a sail, dissipated

DIRTY.

A friend, knowing that Mary still loved Fair- banks very much, plend- ed his cause for him. But Mary's mind was made up.

"I no longer have the right to take him back," she said. "What I knew personally about But Douglas was one thing

now the whole world has been brought in on it."

Fairbanks, realising he was

beaten, left for New York.

At a Lendon charity event Sylvia Ashley (bxok to the gamers) chats to the Duke of Kent (Exte

of the present Duke). Right centre: Mrs. Archie Campbell, Sylvia's friend from bor show da.

A few days later he embarked for Europe.

pounds His sum, Douglas huge glit chairs under a celling thousand him off-then went of floating, pink-fleshed cuples, diamonds Jun, saw round to the Waldent to pick 51-year-old Fairbanks and 31 happy...

up any late messages.

The

it and

year-old Sylvia were married.

In

note: that and Sylvia-plunged Fairbanks

and appeared

Next day, at the Mairie of the Lady Terrington 殺した Arrondissement sitting in Sylvia was wearing "several info further gloom,

of worth

"For mé," ho told his son very one night, "it would have proved a bicasing. 'There's seemed nothing I haven't done at least Hollywood, Ho

twice. Now I look upon death golden for them.

They moved into Fairbanks's as the only challenge.” Santa Monim beach house, and

A month or so later, he was all his friends came, down

beck an forrn. There were meet Sylvia.

more trips abroad-golfing with They were impressed. She the Duke of Windsor on the as warm, gracious, Rivium; visiting Venice, where struck them and charming. Hollywood social Fairbanks plunged fully clothed leaders found her fresh and into the Grand Canal to rescue stimulating. She was a success his dog Marco Polo who had from the flart,

fallen in..

JUST GREAT

un

graphers attempted to photo TT was

a fascinating was graph tra he stomped

clerk apologised. A cable for Sylvia. And

The small crowd outside the for Fairbanks sen, had been put back in Hollywood, trying angrily, shouling: "Keep away swelling one for Fairbanks. head.

Mairie cheeped at the couple desperately to effect a recon- cr' sock you on the nose."

́an The Everywhere

Sylvia A few days later he flew to in the wrong box. Young Doug

carrying found it ciliation with his

was left, wife, Mary

enormous bunch of orchids. from Mary indicating beer Out of respect for Fairbanks's appeared, other ships blew their Quebec to join Sylvia, and opened Picktera.

together they embarked in the willingness

But a policeman holding the to be But his trip

reconciled, crowd back shook his The natives of some of the Empress of Britain for Europe: She had changed her mind. was in vain. Physical prowess the camera-

hand. Too much had happened. Fair- men stayed at a distance.

"On the way islands they visited hnd never In Southamptan a horde of

here her car Douglas jun, telephoned his collided with a taxi-cab. It is a bank's relationship will Sylvia

It reporters was wailing for them, father at sea. It was too late, was feeling any seen a yacht like I

Were they married already? bad become an International effects from the hectie events of approached they would race out

to meet it

What were their "I've already phoned Sylvia bad omen. You will see...." The past few months she

In their canoes, Engaged?

and asked her to maTTY me," Sylvin chanting welcome.

From the pints?

W said Fairbanks bridge, Fairbanks acknowledged questions skilfully **WN

Fairbanks thought he and their cries.

The ham in him certainly not married," she said. Sylvia would be able to, get

"It would be impossible even married in Paris immediately. was delighted,

To pass the time away on the we wished. Mr Fairbanks

But it was not so easy. cruise, Jack Duntee (who was is not free until next Janutry.”.

After a day spent rushing "Will you marry him playalini glow were sull there has matured considerably. Hume-later to marry Ronald he is free?" asked a reporter.

when from one official to another, he but something was gone. And under his tutelage her in- Colmun)

learned that the French mar had bought several Sylvia laughed gaily, waving age laws required three weeks Ills eyes were sunken.

terests had broadened; her tastes hundred cheap kiles,

a jewelled platinum ring. Walt resiáence. Fairbanks irlod hard-but it improved. She could more than These were iration from the and see" she said. was no use. Mary refused to held her own in conversation

stern while the parly fred at:

immediate Her be convinced that he had re- en most subjects and when the them with .22 rides.

plans, the adjed, were to take the cure at formed. In the end he gave up couldn't she would keep quiet,

However, ду the yacht Baden Baden. Yes Mr Fair- ..and sailed for Europe.

Fairbanks considered ber steamed through the Pacific, bonks would bo taking the "If Mary doesn't want me," very bright. And intelligent, heading from Honolulu towards euro too.

Tokyo, he told a friend, "I know somÈ-

Fairbanks began to get As the voyage progressed, and restless.

Then, greeted by her adoring one who docs,"! ·

the yacht ploughed through the

sister Vera-now married When they reached Singapore, WHITN

Sylvin's

She was shocked by his ap- pearance.

The vitality and CINCE meeting Fairbanks she on board withids Bice Benila

VERY MUCH scared. She had accomplished a cablegram was waiting from Loudon lawyer Basil Bleck-in

more in 10 years than nost Mary Fieldford,

QYLVIA

"

wanted him

very much. Reunited they aped to Paris; thence to St Moritz,

•

women do in a lifetime.

She had raised herself from the obscurity of a Paddington And they were in St Moritz back-street to marry a noble when Mary Pickford tears man,

running down her checks went

and Fairbanks

BAD OMEN

THE maringo THE

Wis qualified sucTESS. Fairbanks adored his stim, attractive wife: Sylvia, in turn, worshipped her swarthy, hand- some husband.

to

The Fairbankses entertained lavishly, and Sylvia worked But inevitably, in Hollywood, the day came when Sylvia and tremendously hard to create a pleasant atmosphere In the Mary Pickford met,

She even home.

learned

By to

an oversight, all three of them had been invited to tho play his favourile game-golf.

Fairbanks knew his career same cocktail party.

As soon un Mary entered the

finished, that he was a was

I INSIST

Two wock after their wed- has-been, and occasionally he house, a friend came over:→ ding they enlarged upon their showed it with black moods of happiness at a conference hela depresion. But to most people in their flower decked sulle at he put on the front of a happy the Dorchester Hotel,

mañ,... man with money, a "What a honeymoon!" sold beautiful young wife, freedom HE went to the American Con- Fairbanks. "Great; just great! to indulge his hobbies and

sulate, the British Consulate, and a number of town halls. We hardly stayed in the same good health,

pinen two nights in muccaselor. They travelled and entertain but sull could not cut the rigid we took in all the cast coast of ed ceaselessly....Palm Beach

to

French red tape.

He pleaded that he wanter to Spain, then struci inland

·Seville and Madrid. leave at once for Chinn to make a film, taking Sylvia with him.

Really

There was

sped away into Louie at United Artists-of the English countryside. which

boli company important members. IS imperative that Fairbanks fly to Hollywood Immediately.

Che cable. The next day

WITC

Was

And the most-taked-about

Court to charge Fairbanks with in love with her,

Into the Los Angeles Divorce im star in the world and fallen and Sylvia booked pamages in

TO PARIS

He seemed almost glad to ret THEY spent the rest of the year together....London, Paris, the Riviera, Budapest,

But it was clear to all Fair banks's friends was gilll loth to make the final break with Mary,

the Empresa of Canada, bound for Vancouver,

From Canada

flew ho Hollywood alone,

to

that the actor

The

to New York, London, Paris. They

bought a house in London-

447EY'RE here, Mary-the

two of them." Faltbanks and Sylvia were in the dining-room. Mary was in the living-room

The atmosphere was electric. Eventually-Mars could stand

24, Park Lane. They travelled it no longer, She went toto the by airship, the Hindenburg.... dining room. they visited the Olymples.... they went to the air raceS.

They spent money like waler.

GLOOM

banks'a

Fairbanks, seeing her for tho

first time, went Dale. Detaching almself from his friends, he

came towards her.

"Hipper...."

"I want you to introduce us,"

"It was wonderful officials remained wonderful.

We are both tre unimpressed. Then some- mendously happy.” ona suggested he vitit Maitre And they looked it.

of Blum, daughter Suzanne

“Would Lady Ashley sign an Leon Blum, the then Bocialist autograph?" asked a waller. leader, and one of the elévérest Certainly not," · rapped French women lawyers,

"But Mrs Fairbanks Dougina. "All you've got to do is nek will Indifference. and Lying on her deckchair under

for a special licence,” she said.

Two weeks later they new to COMETIMES, however, Fair- Mary said Sho got an Inter the stars tho was content.

They moed to the Attorney- New York and Hollywood, to

dépressions locutory decree. It was January The 750-ton Caroline was the And there he had disturbing And, sure enough, January General's office at the Palais de begin what was to prove the sense of futility alarmed his know I can't do that" 10, 1993.

last word in luxury.

She was nowa Though he was still per- 1938 found him back in Holly Justice.

happiest period of Sylvia's life, friends. Four weeks later Sylvia and nir-conditioned, stockad

Pickford with monally

"Have you both got documen- a rich man, his gime wood-pleading with Mary not

And there they gave this nOWY

When Mary the 10 on a world expensive

final Douglas set out

fishing equipment were no longer making money,

посерь

divorce tary proof of your divorce?" to Lady Tornington

announced her engagement to cruise together.

and 13,

carried six The Private Life of Don Juan Pap

asked the clerk. Bylvia hachit,

wo Charing "Butkay". "Rogers he "In the part few years They planned to go to Hawall, months supply of provisions. on which he had banked 60

know we can be happy · A medvediger was rushed to have had about as mucha privacy was doprčanog for several "days. Tahiti, and other South 800 On deck Fairbanks kept much-had proved u flop. again, Hipper," he said-using Londes to obtain the nectamry na a fontalled goldfish. Now it And the "deaths Lof Islands in a chartered yacht, paraliot barz, and as the yacht Another thing-he found his pet name for her. "This has papers, and by March # all is our earnest desire to live a, friends Lord and Lady Plunket

the steamed through the Panama himself short of ready, cash, all been a stupid mistake, We'll obstacles

life/unmarred by killed in an air-crash only, u Canal he demonstrated his at- "I can't understand it," he said, go away together to Swlizer away.

few hours after visiting Douglas

the Caroline, winding up

tour in the Orient.

and

bad

born culti mbrried

Publicity,"

and

their

"Mary, I can't do that. Sou

Mary

¿ya

Pickford's

"Burrowed.

NEXT WEEK: From Star to

Star