May 12, 1951: Hollywood Brunette Finds Valparaiso Is ‘Romantic’

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 12, 1951.

Hollywood Brunette Finds Valparaiso Is ‘Romantic’

By JOHN HARMON

What does a Hollywood screen actress think of Valparaiso?

Miss Margaret Field, playing one of the lead roles in the motion picture being produced on the Valparaiso university campus, chowed enthusiasm campus, showed enthusiasm about the city and the picture when interviewed by a reporter for The Vidette-Messenger.

“It’s a lovely city,” Miss Field said and then added ー “A very romantic little place.”

The pretty brunette, who is starred in a film now being released in Hollywood, had more to say on the subject:

“I think Valparaiso university would be a very wonderful place to go to school.”

When asked about the VU picture, the Hollywood actress was even more enthusiastic:

“It’s a very fine picture and I am happy to have a part in it. It should be a great inspiration because it tells a story and will be even more impressive because it is based on true facts of what actually happened, as I understand them.”

The picture, titled “Faith That Moves Mountains,” was inspired by the university students who built the engineering laboratories on the local campus three years ago.

On TV, Too

Miss Field, who was under contract to Paramount Pictures for four-and-one-half years, will soon be seen in the lead role of the film “The Man From Planet X”ーjust released. Among her other achievements is a leading role in “Solitaire,” a television program sponsored by The Fireside Theatre to be released over TV channels in September. She was graduated from Pasadena Junior college where she was studying when a Hollywood talent scout discovered her.

Working on the set here Friday was Hollywood Actor Monte Blue who will be remembered for his star roles in silent films. Also on location at the university campus yesterday was Charles Lane, one of the top characters in the movie colony. Both men flew from Hollywood Thursday and returned to the motion picture capital today after contributing their part to the film.

Miss Field was not the only member of the Hollywood party who expressed enthusiasm about the town Guy V. Thayer, Jr., vice president of Roland Reed Productions, Inc., and associate producer of the film, told The Vidette-Messenger:

“The cooperation here has been wonderful and we are about a day ahead of schedule. If it hadn’t been for the rain we would have been even further ahead.”

Other Hollywood people taking parts in the movie include Miss Marjorie Lord, Robert Clark, Jimmy Lloyd, Clark Howatt, Tom Neal, Summer Getchell, Ralph Brook and Don Hayden.

The picture is directed by Frank Strayer.

Actress Says She Likes Valparaiso

HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS Miss Margaret Field, who has a part in the motion picture being produced on the Valparaiso university campus, tells V-M Sports Editor John Harmon all about the movie in a special interview at Hotel Lembke here. Harmon, incidentally, is scheduled to have a small bit in the picture, playing the part of a visiting sports writer who has come to see the Valparaiso university Crusaders play basketball. The picture is being produced by Roland Reed Productions, Inc., of Hollywood.

(V-M Staff Photo)

May 1, 1956: Rathbone Is No Mystery Book Reader

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 1, 1956.

Rathbone Is No Mystery Book Reader

By ROLLIE BERNHART

Basil Rathbone, television’s “Sherlock Holmes”, is actually not a reader of “who-dunits”.

Famed Actor-Lecturer Is In Town

BASIL RATHBONE, noted actor, was interviewed here this noon during a press conference at Hotel lembke by a Valparaiso university student.

(V-M Staff Photo)

The noted actor, here for a workshop lecture on phases of the theater today, and a formal appearance Wednesday at 8:15 p.m., at Valparaiso university’s auditorium, said that mystery books were “simply not my cup of tea.”

Attired in a natty gray flannel suit, the debonair Rathbone told a group during an interview this noon, that although he felt that playing the role of the famous detective had almost “typed” hom professionally, he still would never grow tired of the Sir Conan Doyle role.

?Maybe I would tire of doing 16 pictures and 200 broadcasts of Hamlet, but never Sherlock Holmes,” he told the group.

No Violin Player

Rathbone clarified the fact that he does not play the violin such as portrayed in the Holmes television series.

“I actually learned to go through the motions of fingering and bowing the instrument. What little music did spring forth, dear pictures, they cut it out.”

Although the famous words “elementary, my dear Watson,” make it appear that solving mysteries are his forte, Rathbone said that he would have no desire to enter the detective profession. The Sherlock Holmes series has not as yet increased my powers of observation and deduction,” he said.

In a more serious vein, Rathbone said that not everyone can become an effective speaker. “First you must have something to say. When you have the subject, you must then have the ability to speak concisely and intelligently.”

2 Outstanding Speakers

Two prime examples in Rathbone’s estimation of outstanding speakers today are Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill. It was Churchill whom he remembers as saying “everyone should learn to speak on their feet.”

“Unlike the theater, cinema or television, public speaking is a cold turkey proposition, with no stage, no lights, no orchestra,” the noted Shakespearean player pointed out.

Rathbone, who will appear Wednesday in a presentation of selections from the world’s great literature, including poetry, prose and drama, also made it clear that he did not look upon himself as a good speaker.

“I feel that the only reason that people listen to me at all is because they merely wish to find out what kind of a man I am.”

He was frank in stating that he preferred talking to women’s clubs as compared to male organizations. “Women at least make you welcome.”

Rathbone’s appearance here is sponsored by the Department of Speech and Drama of Valparaiso university.