Picture-Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

10 Continued from page 8 most gorgeous life-size head of young Farrell I've ever seen. Forcibly dragging my gaze away, I viewed a lovely photograph of Janet Gaynor, inscribed, "For Charlie's mother, with love from Janet." The personal atmosphere radiated by these two portraits enamored me so that I all but floated with thrilis across the lobby to the Left wall. This is devoted . to two bulletins giving the latest photos of Charlie and gossip from the Fox and M.-G.-M. studios. From the theater I sped across the street. Within thirty seconds I was at the Farrell home. It is easy to find. Everybody in Onset knows where Charlie Farrell lives. The Farrell home, and that of his married sister, are set in a sea of thick, green lawn that extends almost to the water's edge. A strand of yellow sand, blue water, and bright bathing-suited figures compose the view from the Farrell veranda. No wonder Charlie was the hero in "Old Ironsides," with Onset Bay his back yard. My quest for information led me to a soda fountain. The clerk, a combination of Doug, Jr., and Buddy Rogers — imagine it! — gave me my prized information. "Sure, I know him," was bis quick reply. He wenton to say that Charlie Farrell was a regular -fellow. "High-hat? Oh, nothing like that! You meet him, and five minutes later you call him Charlie. He came back here last summer for a ten-day vacatioa He went sailing with the fellows and played tennis and baseball with us. I'll say :he's all right ! Do you know that he even collected tickets at the theater one night? His father owns three theaters here. At the New Onset, Mrs. Farrell sells the tickets, his sister plays the piano, and his brotherin-law runs the projector. Talent runs in the family, you see. Furthermore, that little scar on Charlie's chin — well, it's real." With that parting bit of news, "Mac," the soda clerk, returned to business. Another half hour spent in questioning native Onsetters brought me to the conclusion that Charlie Farrell is, and always has been, held in the highest esteem by his_ home-towners. Enthusiasm lighted their faces, from the rich lady on the hotel piazza to the youngster selling popcorn, at the mention of Charlie Farrell. My tour_ over, I motored away, content with having talked with the same people, trod the same ground, and breathed the same air as that unfofgetable Chico. Jane De Wolf. Stanton Hall, Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts. From Gary's College Friend. Holly's letter' in April Picture Play says that Gary Cooper is high-hat or upstage, since becoming a screen star. Undoubtedly this impression was gained by persons who have never met or personally known Gary. Having spent two years in college with him, and later met him again in Hollywood and continuing our friendship, I feel able to say whether or not Gary is upstage. I know he is not upstage, and never has been. If you consider that Gary acts through repressing his emotions, rather than expressing them, you can see that his manner might be considered upstage. And as for Gary's high-hatting a friend, I can safely say that is not the truth. A fellow of Gary's character doesn't do that. Just because he never runs up and slaps you on the back is, in my opinion, no reason why one is to consider him highhat. WKat the Fans Tkink Holly states that he was aloof and bored while making a stage appearance. I would suggest that next time she gets a seat near the front, and notice that the alleged "snobbishness" is just plain stagefright and nothing more. It takes more than three successful years in pictures to make a Montana rancher at home on the stage, and it takes more time than that to make one of them upstage anywhere. Therefore, if you are sincere in wanting to know the true side of Gary Cooper, you are now informed. He's not upstage, high-hat, or snobbish. He's a regular fellow, and, despite several _ years' exposure to Hollywood manners, is still bashful and sincere. Lynn Doyle. 445 South Western Avenue, Hollywood, California. Disgusted with Alice White. Whether Grayce M. Tether meant to be amusing or not in April's Picture Play, she succeeded. It appears she has much time on her hands. So much, in fact, that she sees a picture through twice, and then goes to the lounge to get a few strangers' viewpoints, the picture being "Dream of Love," the abused one JoanCrawford. Well, Grayce, no matter how many times some people see a picture, they're either too dumb to recognize a beautiful and talented actress, or they're just so catty they won't admit it. Joan Crawford is one of the most beautiful actresses of the screen and a marvelous actress. I'm not the only one who thinks so. Yes, Corcella Mullen, you are absolutely correct in your opinion of Alice White, and I'll bet you didn't have to sit through any picture twice to figure it out. One look, and one's plenty. It's written all over Alice — a conceited, self-centered little flapper who should learn the value of silence. I've read loads and loads of interviews, but never have I been so thoroughly disgusted with any as with her interviews. I'm willing to bet that a few of the male stars could cheerfully strangle her for so childishly broadcasting her love affairs. ; "Ardis." Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Must Gary Grin Always? Holly, you rile me ! Your attack on Gary Cooper seems a bit out of taste. How many times have you seen Gary, that you know what you're talking about? How do you know he hadn't something to think about besides grinning? I venture to say I've seen nearly as many stars as you have, and. I've talked to quite a few. Bessie Love was unostentatious, intelligent, and charming. Irene Rich acted more like a diffident schoolgirl, shy, charming, and well bred. Charles Rogers was as unconscious of the boorish stares of . those about him as he well could be. Harrison Ford blushed and looked miserable, in spite of his screen work, when on the stage. Esther Ralston got into her car, and a group of grown men and women ran into the street, peering into it ! Would you have smiled in a delighted mood? I wouldn't, and I doubt if you would, Holly. Of course' I've seen and met stars I wasn't fond of — one famous actress so chilled me that I fe'lt like the proverbial two cents' worth of dirty ice. And the beloved Mary Brian failed to impress me. But how can we expect stars always to be gracious and smiling, when they have only their own homes to turn to for privacy? How would you like to be stared at, set apart, made the subject of unthinking re marks every time you appeared in public, Holly? Would you like to make a purchase and hear the salesgirl sniff, "There's that high-hat Holly person; I just can't stand her pictures"? But lay off Gary ! I suppose you even want Clive Brook to go around with a Cheshire-cat grin ! Go home and try grinning steadily for half an hour before your own mirror ! Jack Jennison. 1515 Orizaba Street, Long Beach, California. Photo Policy a Blunder? To me the rule of the Motion Picture Producers' Association to prohibit sending photographs to fans free of charge is one of the most foolish blunders ever made. The fan has always been the supporter of the star, and, although I realize that the cost of distributing these pictures runs into good figures, I can't help but think that it was a sound investment on the part of the star. Clive Brook brought this new rule to my attention. I wrote for an autographed photo, and received a printed card quoting prices on different styles of photographs. I answered this by saying that I had made it a rule not to pay for an autograph, no matter how badly I wanted it. He then sent me a copy of the new ruling, and wrote at the top, "Sorry, too. C. B." Possibly he was, but not as much as I. I note that one fan sent two quarters to Lon Chaney, and did not receive either a photo or the stamps in return. Well, I haven't had the same experience, but a similar one. For two years I sent Chaney a shower of letters requesting his autographed photo. Nothing was heard from them until June, 1928, when I received a letter from his secretary advising that at no time would Lon send his photo. Well, what was there to do? Nothing. So I shut up and saved postage. Sue Carol was the first one I eveswrote to for a photograph. Since 1925 I have had eight autographed photos, two Christmas cards, and a letter from her. That's a record, isn't it? Patsy Ruth Miller sent me an autographed photo of herself, but it arrived in such a tattered condition that I told her of it when I acknowledged receipt. She immediately sent me another just like it That's not a sign of high-hattedness, by any means. Then Bill Powell and Evelyn Brent honored me with signed pictures of themselves, and so did others. By sending these to me, all the people mentioned have decided my following. I shall do everything in my power to boost their acting ability. But what about the fans from now on? Will they be willing to accept a "no" when asking for such a small thing from the actor or actress? Bill Batty. 74 Mill Street, Middletown, Connecticut. Holly Has Her Say. Why do Warner Brothers persist in giving all their choice roles to that beautiful but dumb girl, Dolores Costello? One is almost certain to see Dolores Costello in a Warner picture, and all she does is to pose and try to look important. Now that talking pictures are assuming first place, she just about ruins a perfectly good picture. I have seen her in many of them, and until lately thought that with experience she would overcome her artificial, affected way of speaking. But it looks as though she thinks her voice is one hundred per cent perfect. I