Darla Jean Hood, you've heard of her . . . . the little actress who gets over so big in Hollywood. Well, I found out all about her in an interview at her grandmother's house Wednesday (the 20th).
Darla came here to visit her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Danner, when Buckwheat, colored 'Our Gang' comedian contracted the measles. So Darla Jean came out here to visit relatives and caught the measles, but has recovered.
The little star with the twinkling feet said Buckwheat had the "black measles" and I wondered if the situation is looking pretty dark. Darla is anything but a stool pigeon. When asked a question, she gives her answer with plenty of enthusiasm.
She said Dick Powell was her favorite actor. She saw him on the stage once and Mrs. Hood was told that Dick would have been glad to talk to Darla had he known she was there.
Other favorites include Shirley Temple, whom Darla met in a Hollywood beauty salon, and Stan Laurel; "I like Stan," she said, "because he makes funny faces for me and does tricks. He said he was going to take me to Japan on his yacht sometime, but I think he was kidding."
On a trip to Catalina Island, Darla sang for the boat passengers. Her selection was "Music Goes Round and Round" because "that is the way everything looked." On the island Darla saw a white peacock strutting around and looked up at her mother saying, "lookie, that bird is modeling for me."
Asked if she wanted to get back to Hollywood, Darla replied, "well, I'm getting a little lonesome for Hollywood but I guess when I get there I will be lonesome for my friends here."
Spanky, the little 'Our Gang' comedian with the well fed look, is Darla's boy friend. Boy, do I wish I was Spanky!
Her choice of picture she has appeared in is "The Bohemian Girl."
Mrs. Hood said Charlie Chase called her daughter "one take Darla" because she acts her part so well the first time that no money is wasted retaking scenes.
Darla takes great pride in exhibiting her talents on the ivories, playing two piano pieces Mrs. Danner has taught her.
If you think a successful movie career has affected Darla you are mistaken. She acts as though it is all play and doesn't think she is the only little star in Hollywood. During the interview, she didn't talk as though she had the lines memorized but seemed anxious to tell something interesting about what she had seen and done. Although she was eating when the old public enemy came to quiz her, Darla graciously sang her favorite song, "Wa-Hoo," and played the piano like a real little trouper.
Dressed in a red tailored dress with a white blouse and red box tie, she looked good enough to step into Shirley Temple's shoes . . . . and here's one who says that it shouldn't be long.