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

Between You and Me (Continued from page 84) magazines that the truth about some of these movie folk would be infinitely more interesting than the belabored stories cooked up about them. Like Garbo's remoteness, mysteriousness. etc. That healthy Swedish peasant woman must laugh up her sleeve unless they have hypnotized her into believing it herself. (As a matter of fact, Interested Spectator, if we have any reason to believe a story is false it doesn't go into Modern Screen. Maybe you're more skeptical than zi'e arc.) If You're a Garbo Fan, This Flatters You Says EDITH WHITMAYER of DETROIT, MICHIGAN: To appreciate Garbo one has to be an artist in soul if not in profession. A lover of grace, beauty, mystery and tragedy. Greta embodies all these things. It is too bad that so many of the motley crowd cannot appreciate true beauty. They see only surfaces and if that surface does not display everything at a glance then it bores them. Her voice to me is her soul. When she speaks I forget the world. Her eyes are fathomless seas of mystery. Her hair is never dull. It is always delightful because it is always different. Her figure is like a Viking Goddess. Straight and firm and graceful. She treads this earth but is not of this earth. She lives in a world all her own and I admire her for it and envy her. I hope she shall always remain so. The glamorous Greta is truly the correct adjective for her. (Well, all you Garbo fans zvho zvrote in such vindictive letters in reply to those of Rose Rudnicki and Lewis A. Barnard, we thought we'd print this charming letter about Garbo so that you'd all be properly appeased.. So come noiv, no more sulks.) Do You Agree with This Intelligent Criticism? PEGGY LAMB of NO ADDRESS (It's a charming place), U. S. A., gives us this : If only some producer could realize how bored we are getting with all these ultra-modern sophisticated pictures of recent date. As bored as the droopyeyed ladies who portray their heroines by attempting urbanity and achieving nothing more than a rather cheap sophistication, long since worn out by constant repetition. Remember back in the good old "daze" when Marion Davies really got worthwhile parts ? There are really so many good stories that I can't understand how some that get to the screen are so utterly hopeless. Is it because the manuscripts of the good ones are so expensive or what? (Maybe the office boy chooses them.) They ought to come down to "economic readjustment" prices, eh? How I would like to see our Marion as "Freckles" (Nancy Topsfield) of Robert Chambers' "Rogue's Moon." The world is tired of all this blase and ultra-modern tainted-lady bunk. It wants romance, adventure, beauty and laughter. (Any number of fans agree with you, Peggy. Possibly ive can see a change in the producer's ideas in the fact that Norma Shearer's latest, picture, is ."Smilin' Through," which is anything but sophisticated.) Ha There, Australia! MAVIS STARLING, of PROSPECT, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, says some nice things about our magazine and then goes on to tell that : I have read everything readable about "Grand Hotel" and" after Vicki Baum's article (July) I am (to use one of your American terms) all het up about it. "Grand Hotel" is sure to be a great success here in Australia and Joan Crawford will, undoubtedly, be the main attraction. (We enjoyed your letter. Miss Starling. But just wait. In speaking of "Grand Hotel" you mention Joan Crawford but completely omit Garbo. Oh, boy. those Garboians will get you.) Does Gary Affect Everyone This Way? A GARY COOPER FAN, of TORONTO, ONTARIO, goes gaga over Gary : I think he is about perfect. I don't know why but every time I see a picture of him or with him I get the scrummiest feeling all up and down ! I wouldn't miss one for anything. If you print any of this letter print the part about Gary if you could, please. He is so absolutely divine— in fact, he's my ideal. I love him even better since he came back from Africa. Isn't his monkev a dear? Would I like to see it! (// Gary believed in the "love me, love my chimpanzee" idea, you'd agree, yes?) Maybe It's the Look in His Eyes A SOLE CORTEZ FAN AND HER PALS, of MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., in an orgy of praise for Ricardo Cortez : There is just something about this dark Latin type of man that causes shivers up the spines of the multitudes. Maybe it's the look in his eyes, the shape of the back of his head, his shoulders, his mouth. We don't know just what it is, but boy, oh boy, if it's fan mail he needs to push him up he's going to get it. (We agree with you. Sole Cortes Fan and her Pals, but we are convinced it's the look in his shoulders and the shape of the back of his eyes. By the zcav, didn't xou ivrite the Tut Club letter, too?) Have You Ever Wished Any of These Things? RUTH of good old NORTH DAKOTA sends in an amusing list of wishes based on movie personalities : The choice of clothes like Norma Shearer. The figure, voice and hair of Joan Crawford. The singing voice of Bebe Daniels. The charm of Fay Wray. The sophistication of Connie Bennett. The mystery of Greta Garbo. The legs of Marlene Dietrich. The sweetness of Janet Gaynor. The peppiness of Lupe Yelez. The hands of Mary Brian. The cheeks of Alary Nolan. The eyes and lashes of Clara Bow. The mouth of Leila Hyams. The teeth of Barbara Kent. The dimples of June Collyer. The nose of Ruth Chatterton. And a boy friend like Jack Holt. If all of these were mine the world would be mine, too. (Grand idea, Ruth. But you forgot to mention Marie Dressler's sense of humor.) Snappy Views from Various Readers — See If Your Name Is Here We get so many letters that it is impossible to print them all in full. The following are excerpts. Just because these letters were not printed in full doesn't mean they were not good letters. They were excellent ! But lack of space, you know. J. H. K, of JOHNSON CITY, TENN., says of Tim McCoy : "He is my idea of a real man displayed on the screen. His rough and tumble style of fighting, his kindness and generosity to the weak. And how fast and nifty he can pull a gun." ( Yes, J. H. K., it's a treat to get away from the drug store cowboys once in a while.) WILLIAM J. DEMENNA, BRIDGEPORT, CONN., speaking of Laurel and Hardy : "Wouldn't they be funnier than ever playing in "Two Fuller Brush Salesmen"? (They certainly ivould, BILL. Mavbe they'll read this and take your advice.) ENTHUSIASTIC of NEW BRITAIN, CONN., thinks John Arledge is the best choice for "secondary" actor. Says he's "gay, good-looking, peppy, mischievous and oh, a wow!" (Quite, oh quite, ENTHUSIASTIC.) SALLY ANNE of BLOOMINGTON, IND., tells us she has tried to like Garbo but can't. "Honestly, I have tried hard to find that mysterious something which seems to have everyone haywire But I can't." (Ask your friends, Sally, and be convinced.) FRANCES CLAY RUDD of BEAUMONT, TEXAS, also has something to say about Garbo : "Her humor is whimsical, her interpretations subtle but potent ; and while she has great physical lure, she avoids the vulgar and obvious and has never given a risque or suggestive performance." (Well said, ladv.) A. A. S., of DETROIT, sends in an "interesting list of "secondary" players. Among them she gives : "Guy Kibbee in 'High Pressure' and 'The Crowd Roars.' Nils Asther in 'Letty Lynton.' Stuart Erwin in 'The Misleading Lady.' " ANTHONY ARSENAULT of SUMMERSIDE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA informs us that he remembers Warren William when he played with J Pearl White in a Pathe serial called "Plunder." (That's interesting, Tony, ive didn't knoiv Warren had ever appeared in a serial. Are you sure?) OLGA SILVER of WEST'ROXBURY, BOSTON, I says that if James Cagney "leaves the scene I'll be . . . heartbroken." (A lot of others will be, too, OLGA.) MISS APPREHENSION of WASHINGTON, D. C, is "just a little bit disappointed in her (Janet Gaynor) since hearing of her refusal to take the lead_ in 'Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm' for roles of the more sophisticated type." (Don't ivorry, Miss APP, little Janet is going back to the sweet and simple.) From Mile. LEDUC in MONTREAL comes this, in part : "Mais malheureusement je n'y vois jamais le portrait de 'Billie Dove' qui est mon actrice preferee. (Nous allons le faire plus tard, mam'selle.) M. L. BROWN of WATERBURY, CONN., believes that i most movie stars should not change their particular "type" of role. She points out Joan Crawford as an exception. From a dancing daughter, Joan has gone on to great dramatic triumphs. And "she has proven that her name on the marquee j (Continued on page 91) ii 88