Solo Star
Леи
honors await Randolph
Scott, former IVorlli Carolinian,
in his successful career in pic¬
tures.
By HOYT McAFEE
HARD WORK, patience, determi¬
nation, and able acting ability
carry many a screen player to
the pinnacle of movie success — star¬
dom. Randolph Scott has diligently
applied those qualities in winning the
loftiest honor within the gift of the
motion-picture industry.
Scott, known to til in audiences for
his generous variety of featured aud
character roles, was born in Virginia,
but North Carolina is his adopted
State. At every opportunity lie spends
rt of his vacation, or pauses for
ief visits, in Charlotte, lie has a
goodly number of friends and ac¬
quaintances in that area. Tar Heels
uro among the strongest supporters
Scott has. And when his pictures show
at movie houses within a broad radius
of the Queen City, it is widely adver¬
tised that he was formerly a Char-
lottean.
New Picture Coming
This article, however, primarily
concerns itself with the extraordina¬
rily good fortune Randolph Scott has
enjoyed of recent months. Ills per¬
formance in "Virginia City,” in which
dashing Errol Flynn and Miriam
Hopkins were co-starred, pleased
Warner Bros, executives a good deal.
To such a degree, in truth, that they
arc now negotiating with Scott for
the solo starring role in "River's
End," a robust outdoor story from the
pen of James Oliver Curwood.
Those three magic words, “solo star¬
ring role," can make the eyes of any
screen player shine with happiness,
delight, and anticipation. They mean
as much to a movie personality as all-
American recognition to a football
player or a world series triumph to
a baseball team.
Only a small |*rcentage of those
who struggle to gain stardom in films
attain that goal— a goal which eludes
those who are not talented, competent,
and fortunate.
Scott is expected to sign with Warn¬
ers for this coveted part in "River’s
End" almost any day now. He will
probably do so before he completes his
current stint at RKO in "Hi* Favo¬
rite Wife,’’ in which Cary Grant and
Irene Dunne co-Mar.
Enjoyed His Part
Working in "His Favorite Wife"
lias alfordcd Scott a warmth of pleas¬
ure. First, because he and Cary Grant
are dose pals — and have long been
that way. They have for some time
-hared living quarters aud had a burst
of fun together.
Too, the light comedy and dramatic
a -peels of the production, "His Favo¬
rite Wife," strongly appeal to Ran¬
dolph Scott. He often plays iu epic,
adventure, and outdoor roles, in which
ho displays manly, energetic, and
virile qualities. At times, also, as
poiuted out by Ncttc Ha r die, the wide¬
awake critic, Scott's parts are diffi¬
cult to handle — such as the one he
took in "Virginia City,” in which he
was neither good nor bad as a char¬
acter. His portrayal was, nevertheless,
of an expert brand. Thus it is easy to
understand why Warners ore eager to
provide Scott u chance for wider ex¬
pression.
Randolph Scott is one who likes
change and versatility, "ilis Favorite
Wife," which he's doing at RKO at
present, offers him just that.
In this fun-filled picture, Irene
Dunne, who is wed to Cary Grant,
goes off on a sea trip, during the course
of which she becomes shipwrecked on
u lonely island. She spends the next
few years at that enchanted retreat
with Randolph Scott. On their return
to civilization they discover that Grant
has given his wife up for dead and
is on the verge of re-marrying. Amus¬
ing complications develop.
Grant still loves Irene — ami the
feeling is mutual with her. Scott
finally loses Miss Dunne to Grant —
but not until he has leaped, in chival¬
rous fashion, into a swimming pool
to rescue her. That scene i- a scream,
inasmuch as Miss Dunne falls into the
water, fully-clad; and refuses Scott's
gallant proffer of assistance.
But romping off with the heroine
as his fair prize seems to be the lot iu
Randolph Scott, caught in an off
moment while resting between scenes
for Warner Brothers’ production,
“Virginia City.”
store for Randolph Scott, now that it
appears certain that he will play solo
starring roles. He has fought earnestly
and steadfastly to push ahead in pic¬
tures. This new recognition— itself the
very highest within the bestowal ot a
movie studio— that Warners have ex¬
tended to Randolph Scott, i‘ deserved
by him. His friends and admirers in
North Carolina and elsewhere will be
glad to learn that he bus won it.
So Scott, tall, raw-boned, neat-look¬
ing, and calm of demeanor, will doubt¬
less have the satisfaction, hereafter,
of seeing his name receive top billing
on theatre marquees. For he’s now
ubout to don the robes of a full-fledged
star.
Congressman Hobbs
To Speak at Bethel
Congressman Sain Hobbs of Ala¬
bama will lie the principal sj>eaker at
the Eighteen ih Annual Dinner of the
Eastern Carolina Chamber of Com¬
merce. which will Ik? held in Bethel,
April 9 at 7:39 in Bethel's new gym¬
nasium. Congressman Hobbs was se¬
cured for the meeting by Congress¬
man Lindsey C. Warren, iu whose dis¬
trict the meeting is beind held and
National Committeeman A. D. Lon
Folger. Congressman Warren person¬
ally endorsed Mr. Hobbs and assured
the Committee that he would please
the patrons who attend. The meet¬
ing is open to the general public.
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