Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 12 March 1946, page 11


More Trouble for "Amber" Lon Jones's HOLLYWOOD DIARY

LOS ANGELES, March 9.

OPPOSITION to "Forever Amber" continues to mount, the latest coming from a powerful Catholic group, which urges the organising of a "society for the ostracising of 'Forever Amber'," and the boycotting of the com-pleted film.

This suggestion is made by a Catho-lic monthly magazine, "Lourdes of the West," published by the famous Cali-fornia Shrine, which is a Mecca for American Catholics.

The magazine attacks the novel itself and suggests that pressure be brought to bear against the publishers and film producers to prevent "smut reaching the printed page or screen." It is also urged that the ostracising society be retained for future con-tingencies after the Amber campaign.

Fox officials refuse to comment, other than to state that the script has been approved by Hays Office, Hollywood's self-censorship body. They state that the film is definitely going before the cameras on Monday after a week of delay.

The Catholic protest is worrying the rest of Hollywood who fear that the objectors might become nationally powerful unless appeased immediately.

Hollywood's most carefully guarded and heavily insured actress is the diminutive Peggy Cummins who is playing the "Amber" title role. Be-cause she is appearing in every one of the film's 364 scenes—which is said to be a record for any player— Peggy has been assigned a personal physician, nurse, and dietitian to re-main with her throughout the entire shooting and guard her health through

the ordeal.

It is estimated that any day on which Peggy fails to appear because of illness will cost the studio 24,000 dol-lars, because the picture would be un-able to continue without her.

Strange Interlude

HOLLYWOOD is in a "strange"

mood these days. Clark Gable and Greer Garson have completed "Strange Adventure," Eddie Albert appears in "Strange Voyage," Fox is filming "Strange Triangle," Hedy Lamarr has the lead in "The Strange Woman," Orson Welles has just fin-ished directing and starring in "The Stranger," and Greer Garson and Robert Montgomery will shortly be-gin work on "Beloved Stranger."

Mary Maguire Back

AFTER several years' absence the Australian actress Mary Maguire is attempting to resume her Holly-wood career. She is being tested for one of two "Forever Amber" roles, including the Highwayman's girl Bess, and the actress who was Amber's stage rival.

Both are good parts and either would provide her with a successful come-back. Paramount is also con-

sidering her for an important role in "The Wayfarer."

Mary admitted that the first Amber tests were unsuccessful, but the dir-ector, John Stahl, was so impressed by her efforts that he has ordered

further tests, and it is believed she is certain now to get a role.

She was too plump for the cameras when she first arrived several months ago, but strenuous dietings have slimmed her down. She is now mar-ried to Philip Legarra, an American consulting engineer in Los Angeles.

Mary told me that she is avoiding ingenue roles, preferring solid char-

acter parts to being a glamour girl, though she is only 27 and still beauti-ful. "I think I'll do better and last longer as a character actress," she

said.

Mary admitted that she would like to return to Australia for a trip if she received a suitable Australian stage or screen opening. She refused to discuss her former husband, Cap-tain Gordon Canning, stating that he was a closed chapter, but she said she was not surprised by the news that he had purchased a Hitler bust.

Hardly Worth It

CONSTANCE WORTH must have become the face on the cutting room floor in her first role in a major production for years, because in "Deadline at Dawn" she appears only three times. Playing something of a shady-lady character, she closely re-sembled Claire Trevor whom she said she is hoping to emulate, but she had small opportunity to show her ability. She looks much older and very thin in the picture. In a cast of 13, headed by Paul Lukas and Susan Hayward,

she was billed last but one.