Harry Ransom CenterThe University of Texas at Austin

SELZNICK INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, INC.

Inter-Office Communication

TO: Mr. Selznick

DATE: Sept. 12, 1938

FROM: Mr. Arnow

SUBJECT: TALENT HUNT

Following you will find a further report on the talent hunt to date.

YOUNG STOCK PLAYERS - OTHER STUDIOS

M.G.M.
Went through the entire contract list with Datig, saw several tests and
the only likely possibility is Jack Hubbard who, in a pinch might be suit-
able for Ashley. Among the girls, Mimi Lilligren and Lana Turner might fit
into smaller parts but are not right, or experienced enough, for any of the
bigger roles in the picture. You saw the test of Hubbard and Lilligren which
was made at R.K.O.

WARNER BROTHERS
Had a very attractive blonde young woman be the name of Irene Rhodes come
in and gave her a dialogue scene. If she reads this well will have her
see Mr. Cukor. No others suitable for the picture.

PARAMOUNT
After having a talk with Bagnall and Bottsford they thought the only people
we would be interested in were the following:
Evelyn Keyes - is a De Mille protege who is said to be a good young actress
but who does not photograph as well as she should. She is in a picture now
but they are going to send her to see me as soon as she has a day off as she
seems to be on the order of "Scarlett".

Richard Denning - a young man of light complexion and hair, whom they feel
might be a possibility for Ashley. They are sending us some tests which I
will show you as soon as they arrive.

Louise Campbell - she is not a younger stock player but a contract player
getting $1,000 a week. She is from the radio field in Chicago and has done
only B pictures with the exception of the last, MEN WITH WINGS, in which she
played opposite MacMurray and Milland. However she is more on the Melanie
than the Scarlett type. The picture should be previewed in town this week
and I will cover same.

20TH CENTURY FOX
Discussed the matter of stock players with Schreiber who says they have no
one we would be interested in.

R.K.O.
Discussed matter with Rufus LeMaire who said they had no young players
capable of doing these roles.

UNIVERSAL
Nothing on their list worthy of consideration.

SELZNICK INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, INC.

Inter-Office Communication

Page 2.

TO: Mr. Selznick

DATE: Sept. 12, 1938

FROM: Mr. Arnow

SUBJECT: TALENT HUNT

COLUMBIA
Nothing on their list worthy of consideration.

RADIO
KFI (NBC) Interviewed a group of several people and out of them selected
an announcer by the name of James Frazier - a possibility for Ashley. Have
given him lines and if he reads well will turn him over to Mr. Cukor.

Ellen Clancy. This young actress is finishing a contract with Warners and
is now being represented by N.B.C. She is a fine young actress and, although
not particularly suited for either Scarlett or Melanie, a good trooper.
Possibly we can fit her into some other role if he thinks she is not right
for Scarlett or Melanie.

KNX (C.B.S.) Interviewed several people but no possibilities there at all.

Within the next day or so these broadcasting companies will have photographs
from their affiliated stations of people who might be of interest.

LITTLE THEATRES AND DRAMATIC SCHOOLS
MAX REINHARDT. Interviewed about 25 young people at the school. Only se-
lected one girl, Mary Freeman, who may be a possibility for Melanie. She
came here from the South a year or so ago. She is reading for me tomorrow
and if okay will turn her over to Cukor.

EL CAPITAN COLLEGE OF THE THEATRE (Operated by Henry Duffy)

Glen Logan, the boy mentioned in last week's memo, read Ashley lines for
me and did so beautifully. Will turn him over to Mr. Cukor tomorrow for his
reaction. The boy has talent, and is a good actor. If we can ever photograph
his face, he is worthy of consideration for Ashley and for other roles.

Also during the week covered the following Little Theatres:
Footlights Theatre, Eda Edson and Ben Bard's players and in addition had the
Bliss Hayden school send in their prospects. In the cases of the four above
mentioned schools found nothing.

In addition to the above, interviewed quite a number of people during the
week, many of whom were brought in by Agents. I will have two or three of
these people ready for Mr. Cukor this week.

I am setting the auditions for Mr. Cukor for the middle of the week and im-
mediately thereafter will take off for San Francisco which will require one
day, or at the most, two days.

SELZNICK INTERNATIONAL PICTURES, INC.

Inter-Office Communication

Page 3.

TO: Mr. Selznick

DATE: Sept. 12, 1938

FROM: Mr. Arnow

SUBJECT: TALENT HUNT

For your further information, have contacted the Music Corporation of
America who have seven offices in the Untited States in big cities, in-
cluding Atlanta and Dallas. They are contacting their representatives
in these offices to line up any distinctive talent in the way of lead-
ing men and women, and upon my arrival at these various points will have
the possibilities ready for me to see.

I hope to be able to leave by the end of the week. Before going, will
see you to explain how the trip will be handled so that I may secure any
suggestions or advice you may want to give.

MA

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