Motion Picture Magazine (Feb-Jul 1915)

106 MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE mired in another have much to do, I find, in assembling preferences and in that way determining character. For. after all, whether it be a visualized ideal or not, we do recognize and pay tribute to those perfections of character which we find in our friends. Ruth Roland, you will agree, expresses herself exceedingly well on the subject of her ideal man. "He must be strong and manly," she says, "and kind to others and to animals. I'd like him to be ambitious and to be able to get, thru his own efforts, sufficient of the world's goods to be independent. And he must recognize a woman's right to her opinions and that she has some place in the world of politics and business." The vivacious comedienne, besides beauty, has brains, you see. Irene Boyle is less exacting than beauty usually is. She just wants him "to be honest, generous in spirit, with the ability to control his temper and to be kind." The aristocracy of talent and brains in filmdom expresses its ideals thru gracious Ethel Clayton, who declares that gentleness and strength predominate in the man of her choice. Louise Huff whispers that he must be big enough to protect her and never mind the funny nicknames she gives him ! Mae Hotely, who has been the victim of man's perfidy and tyranny — oh, only in Lubin comedies ! — makes one iron-bound demand: "He must be just." But I wonder who is to decide if there should be a dispute ? Gentle Justina Huff, of the old South, true to tradition, asks only for "consistent gentlemanliness. " It is evident that mere good looks are not desired by the very women who meet (and perhaps know) the handsomest men in the world. Indeed, Irene Howley, conspicuous among Biograph leading women, says that "he need not be good-looking, but he must be truthful, have consideration for others and a keen sense of humor." Mabel Trunnelle expresses herself in the all-embracing "He must have a good disposition." Vivian Prescott narrows her demands down to ' ' truthfulness, ' ' and the sprightly Lillian "Walker, who, methinks, is of a practical turn of mind, judging from her admiration for the cardinal masculine virtues, wants a durable ideal. He must be "tall, strong, honest and hard-working." A man who is all these must perforce be an able provider. But why should a woman of beauty, talent and intelligence hold no ideal? Is it because she is too experienced, has lost all faith in men and is content to consider them only because she has to ? Can one who is young cherish no dream of what may be ? There is one who declares she has no perfection to look for, but vouchsafes no additional information. There is a meaning behind this reticence, and we must fathom the secret of this riddle, this lovely sphinx, this Norma Talmadge. The Magic Carpet By VIRGINIA CLEAVER BACON The' happiest hour of all the day, When we were little folks. Was when we put our toys away And gathered round to coax Our nurse for tales of sprite and fay. And out of all the stories told, The one I liked the best Was of a magic carpet old That bore to east or west Whoever wished for journeys bold. They'd but to stand on it, she said, And speak their wish aloud; And, oh. what visions thronged my head — A motley, gorgeous crowd — Of journeys on the carpet spread! I never passed a ragged scrap Of rug but what I stopped To make a wish, lest it should hap The wishing-rug had dropped Before my feet while I did nap. We smile at childhood's foolish dream, And yet this one came true ; I've found a carpet which I deem Must work by magic, too. That carries me to lands unseen. And tho it is not fair to see. Of gorgeous velvet pile, It's opened wonderland to me. This covering of the aisle That leads me where the movies be !