Modern Screen (Dec 1931 - Nov 1932 (assorted issues))

had won. The movies were cleaned up. Hollywood was white in place of primrose . . . dull instead of sparkling. Ramon Novarro, with his flare for peace and quiet (at all and any cost) became the leading light of the new movement. Joan Crawford commenced hooking rugs . . . taking pictures in the garden . . . and generally acting ga-ga all over the place. Tashman quieted down to a mere shadow of her former robust self. Buddy Rogers became an idol of modern American youth. Phillips Holmes turned over a new leaf. Jack Gilbert did a right-about face in low and even stopped talking. Conrad Nagel and Mary Brian rated headlines. I BUT . . . and you can hear this question on every tongue these days . . . has the cleaning up done more than it was supposed to do ? In the whitening process has Hollywood lost much of the intrigue and flame that once made her the most discussed and fascinating town in the world ? There is a point ! Hollywood had gone genteel and good . . . and just a little goody-goody. In the era of self-conscious gentility and determined culture wasn't some of the spirit lost? To those of us who have written about Hollywood doings and doers for years some exceptionally brilliant colors were missing from the Hollywood Legend. The pattern had grown faded. The vivid days of the Montmartre, where stars rubbed shoulders with other stars and tourists and housewives . . . where Joan Crawford danced in a spangled dress and the rafters shook with the din of the applause . . . where the beaming Eddie Brandstatter held off the mad-butlaughing crowds with a red velvet rope— this is gone from Hollywood. Gone also are the temperamental clashes between studio queens such as in the good old days of Gloria Swanson and Pola Negri dividing the Paramount lot in adoration and allegiance . . . and the bizarre raiment of the then over-dressed Gloria with her curleycue coiffures . . . the be-diamonded Ruth Roland . . . the white fox furs of Billie Dove . . . the bare legs of Alice White, Sally O'Neil and other cuties . . . the childish and naive tricks of famous people — Mabel Normand eating peanuts on the back seat of her luxurious town car . . . and the crowd of fans that used to be at the entrance of every popular place to see and applaud the movie stars regal public appearance. All . . . gone ! THE studio darlings now dine at the exclusive Embassy Club and Mayfair ... far from the eyes of the crowd. And the crowd doesn't gather to gape and yell at the famous. Studio queens don't quarrel any more — they are too determined to be ladies. Gloria wears her knot in the approved Mayfair fashion on the nape of her neck. Billie Dove's white foxes are packed away in the moth balls. Yea, verily, Hays has won — but has Hollywood won? From the goings-on about town it would lead one to believe that the Colony has come to a negative conclusion on the above question. Certainly the interest in the present crop of pampered beauties is not nearly so fervid as it was five years ago. And thanks to Mr. Hays, it is not scandal that has slowed up the interest. Can it be that the movie stars have become too much like you and I? Look at some of the things that are happening: Norma Shearer, the original and everlasting lady of the films is acquiring a new atmosphere. No longer does she desire the utmost in "proper" gowns for all occasions. She may be seen at first nights with "daring creations" — almost up to the standard set by her breath-taking wardrobe in "Strangers May Kiss," "The Divorcee" and "A Free Soul." Norma probably came to the conclusion that 76 her home-and-fireside publicity wasn't helping her sensational picture roles at all. The happy and contented Mrs. Thalberg is about to disappear from the public prints ... in her place will be ". . . the stunning, fascinating Norma Shearer, she of the sex-appeal and curves. . . ." Joan Crawford? Yes, it took her a long time to understand that she wasn't cut out for the role that she is now playing in private life. She was told that she had made her success in "Our Dancing Daughters" and "Our Modern Maidens" because the public had a hunch that she lived just that sort of life off the screen as well. She used to dance, love, laugh and sing. Thus her sudden domestic trend didn't help her situation in the least . . . and it begins to look as though she were about ready to give it up. The other night she was seen dancing at the famous Cocoanut Grove — and what's more she was singing and laughing as of old. There are even rumors that she and Doug are indulging in little romances on the side! Oh, things are picking up all right ... all right ! that ND Marlene! The German gal has decided that she will give out no more interviews. That's the first indication of her future personality. Now we can get back to our guessing games about her ... as well as Garbo. And the funny part of it all is : that what you and I guess about them is a lot more exciting than what we know about them. Dietrich got off on the wrong foot when she first arrived. She punctured the Von Sternberg romance by saying that she was already married and had a baby. Her husband gave out statements . "she is every bit as good a cook as she is an actress." Such cracks may go very well in the cooking class, but they are not the type of publicity that makes for personalities like Garbo and Dietrich. They require much mystery and intrigue. But now! Out comes the statement that Riza Von Sternberg, Josef's twice-divorced wife, is suing Marlene for some six hundred thousand dollars. Five hundred thousand of the grievance is said to be for "alienation of affections." Marlene hit the front pages with a big bang and stayed there for quite a few days. Can't you see what is happening? Why, Hollywood is coming to life again! Even Clark Gable is going in for some of the oldtime Hollywood stuff! His studio has awakened to the fact that there has been entirely too much ga-ga going out about their big box-office bet. He was doing everything but "hooking rugs" (for the press) . . . and any woman who sees him knows that he couldn't look that way without living just a little! From now on you will get a lot more of the truth about your favorite he-man . . . they are just about through making him out a sissy. They have decided that they will not allow "nice" publicity to kill the chances of the only man to approach Valentino's success since that famous Latin became the household word for passionate love scenes. Rudy lived and dressed and spoke as he chose ! They are going to let Gable do the same ! WHY did Clark Gable marry the same woman twice within a year without once divorcing her? Why did he divorce his first wife? Has he a nine year old son? Has he been married more than twice? What is his "ideal girl"? How close does that come to the women he has married? How does it happen that he has always married a woman at least ten years older than himself ? These questions rvill be answered now . . . and before, they were the subject of a hushing up campaign. And Pola is back in town . . . Mae Murray is suing her husband (the Prince) for (Continued on page 129)