1935 Jim McKenna Hollywood actor
I wish Scots girls wouldn’t ape their American cousins.’* Thus Jim M’Kenna, a Glasgow-bom Scot whom by 1935 had been 15 years in Hollywood and was back “home” in Scotland during August 1935 making ” a sentimental journey through Scotland. “
Jim told the local reporters, “The Scots lasses were just as swell as I knew them 15 years ago, but to-day they have copied the dress and powder and paint just like the girls in New York and Hollywood. I liked them when they kept their own personality but as Americans, well, they’re not so hot. There sure are some changes in Glasgow. The shops have learned the meaning of ballyhoo, and they certainly are more attractive. But, apart from that, I don’t see much difference in the city. I shouldn’t like it to change, anyway.”
Mr M’Kenna was born Glasgow, and later lived at Bumbank, Lanarkshire, where he worked the pits. His close family lived at Stonefield Road, Blantyre. In 1920, he was acting in an amateur production of ” All That Glitters is not Gold,” at Hamilton, when Thomas Inch, the famous American producer, saw his work and gave him his chance coming to America to star in films. While in Hollywood, where he was for 15 years prior to 1935, he played in famous films such as “Grand Canyon,” ” Live and Let Live,” and ” Phantom Ranch.” He usually played the part of an Englishman. Whilst back in Scotland, Mr M’Kenna stayed with his sister at 127 Stonefield Road, Blantyre.
“I should like to work over here,” he told “The Sunday Post.” ” During this trip I have seen all of Scotland’s beauty spots —Oban, Glencoe, and your wonderful Princes Street. ” Some of the places I’ve visited on vacation were just names to me before, and I must say it’s great to be home. ” The scenery of the Clyde has nothing to match in the whole wide world.” Mr M’Kenna went back to America the following month to fill radio, stage, and screen contracts. His one big ambition was to play’ in an important role with Greta Garbo. ” She’s the finest actress on the screen,” he said. ” But there’s another I admire —and whatever she says or does on the screen, she’s a lady is Mae West.”