The annual scrutiny of the relative popularity of film stars reveals that Shirley Temple has been sadly ejected from top place. She now comes only third in Great Britain and fifth in America. Deanna Durbin, though only tenth in America—wheze the first four are all of the rival sex, Mickey Rooney, Tyrone Power, Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable—is easily first in this country.
There is in fact a sort of Deanna Durbin cult in England. Critics write of her as seriously as though she were Ellen Terry and Melba rolled into one. And the curiosity to see how she would emerge from the trial of her latest film—a Cinderollo in modern setting story—in which for the first time she is KISSED was as great as if—shall we say?—the Archbishop of Canterbury were suddenly to appear on the stage as Puck. All of which, no doubt from sheer perversity, makes me sympathize with the Athenian who ostracized Aristides merely because he was tired of hearing him called "the Just."
But the life of a film star is very short. Shakespeare must have been thinking prophetically of them when he wrote of golden boys and girls like chimney sweepers coming to dust. Look at Shirley Temple. I wonder whether, when she grows up, she will regain her popularity—I beg her pardon, stage a come-back. Let Deanna enjoy her triumph as long as possible. By all accounts she is a very nice girl—which is not quite the same thing as looking nice on the screen. cee Skvirsky
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.