Marion Davies, Producer

Leslie Howard and Marion Davies in Five and Ten, Precode 1931.

Leslie Howard was just beginning his film career when Marion Davies saw him perform on stage in Berkeley Square, a role he reprised in a film of the same name the following year. Davies' company, Cosmopolitan Pictures, which operated out of MGM, was producing the film and Davies requested Howard for the part of Berry Rhodes. MGM Production Head, Irving G. Thalberg, had wanted another newcomer, Clark Gable, to play the part but Davies insisted on Howard stating that Clark Gable did not have the sophistication that the role required.

Rehearsals were held at Hearst Castle (Davies was Hearst's mistress) where Howard frequently went skinny dipping in the pool leading to rumors of a Howard/Davies romance.

[Leslie Howard and Marion Davies
in Five and Ten, 1931]

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