Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

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Wkat the Fans Think 13 In closing:, I want to speak a word of praise for Nick Stuart, Richard Arlen, Glenn Tryon, Lupe Velez, Sally Phipps, Sally Eilers, Charles Morton, and Martha Sleeper, and to that accomplished little actress, Mona Ray, who made a sensation as Topsy. Clayton J. Lott. 4063 Hyde Park, Kansas City, Missouri. Disgusted with O'Brien. When I read of the hanging of Edward Hickman, at San Quentin, California, I was surprised to find as among the witnesses, the name of George O'Brien, the actor. I had always seen Mr. O'Brien portraying a character just the opposite of one who would want to see such a gruesome spectacle. I always liked his face and his acting, but nothing could ever drag me into a theater to see him again. I herewith register my supreme disgust for any man who wishes to witness such a hideous scene for atmosphere, or any other reason. The free advertising he received through this display of callous conscience, will only put him on the wane. Had he no thought of that boy's poor mother and father? He displayed the instinct of a gorilla. Fred J. Gieser. Ebenezer, New York. A New Glorious Apollo. Will you give space to my opinions in What the Fans Think? Gloria Swanson — I have never liked her till I saw her superb performance in "Sadie Thompson." She was wonderful ! Jacqueline Logan — Why don't we see her more often? That rare beauty is so often hidden. Elinor Fair — Why are people prejudiced against her? She has ability and she is beautiful. She reminds me of the most beautiful woman the screen has ever revealed, Barbara La Marr. Eve Southern— Superlatives fail me. Oh, those eyes ! John Gilbert — I have often wondered why people care for him. I hate his films. Richard Arlen — He is a charming boy. I'll never forget his delightful, though sad performance, in "Wings." William Boyd — He was superb in "Two Arabian Knights." William and Elinor, what a charming couple they are ! But above them all I place Ralph Forbes. Has nobody noticed that he is the handsomest man on the screen? I like him tremendously, not only because he overshadows all the other handsome men, but because he proved himself to be a fine actor in his best role, that of John, in "Beau Geste." Long life to this glorious Apollo 1 Carmen Sownes. Balarce 854, Rosario, Argentina. Drama for Clara Bow. When I signed my name and address to one of my letters I never dreamed some of the readers would take such an interest in Los Angeles ! Whew ! I have seven letters right here before me. And I am ashamed to say I have been so busy that so far only two have been answered. I answered one right away, because the writer was just my age, height and weight, and is coming to live in Los Angeles shortly, and I want her to look me up. She's from Lima, Ohio, and I am from Michigan. The others who wrote will please forgive my negligence, on the promise that just as soon as I have time I am going to answer every one. Almost everybody had 6omething to ask about a favorite actress, and believe me, Clara Bow has her stanch admirers — plenty of 'em! And how they do defend her, even after Mr. Oettinger's interview in which he said she was be coming the "rather bored, indifferent, pert star," like most of the others ! I adore Clara Bow. Of course I have some reasons ! A principal one is that a relative of mine lived where Clara did, once, and she said Clara deserves every bit of praise and success that is hers today. It is due to sheer stick-to-it-iveness, which Clara Bow possesses one hundred per cent ! You can just picture her gritting her teeth in the face of disappointment, and wading in for what she is after with a smile on her face and grim determination in her heart. That's why we love Clara Bow. She's a symbol — not of "it," to me — but of what a person with little to start with in life, can accomplish in this day and age. Let's see more of Clara Bow in drama, and less of her in low-necked dresses and sporty apparel, for she's really got better things in her than cheapness. I don't mean for her to suddenly turn haughty, demure, or minus that famous smile of hers. All I mean is, remember people judge by the way you dress, as well as how you act, and I hate to hear any one call Clara common — but, those too-lownecked dresses of hers recently ! Nay, nay, Clara. Frances S. Los Angeles, California. Too Many Mexican Girls. Dolores del Rio was my favorite among the newcomers until she divorced her husband and began running around with her director. I still think she is a great actress. Some say that the private affairs of the stars shouldn't influence our opinions, but I can't see it that way, so Dolores has gone a long way down the scale in my estimation. All these Mexican girls are becoming boresome. Just as soon as Dolores del Rio became popular, we were swamped with Mexican stars. We much prefer girls like Mary Brian, Marceline Day, Joan Crawford, and Jean Arthur. They seem typical of the spirit of wholesome romance. Verda Colleen Bunch. Centrahoma, Oklahoma. What is a Fan Club? I have often seen fan clubs mentioned, .but never was interested enough to inquire what they were all about. Now I'm interested and wonder if any of the readers will enlighten me as to what the functions of such clubs are? L. Harder. 6241 Sansom Street, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Random Thoughts. Just a few bouquets, and one brickbat, to hurl. It isn't often that I see a movie which so impresses me as the much-heralded "Legion of the Condemned." After its extravagant previews and extensive publicity, I made up my mind that it was but one more of these "specials," and nearly forgot it. Only the presence of Fay Wray in the cast changed my mind when it played here recently. May I say right now that I hope we have more and more of these Cooper-Wray duos? They fit perfectly. Their characters must be especially congenial, I suppose, but, anyway, it's goodness knows how long since we've seen two young people — or old either — paired off on the screen with such complete success. Cooper is admirable, but my real bouquet is for Miss Wray. She was exquisite, and any one who could manage to look beautiful and altogether desirable in the pre-war costume inflicted on that star, deserves credit. She played her scenes most understandingly, and left nothing to be desired, as far as I was concerned. Here's to you, Miss Wray. Barry Norton also deserves credit, I think, for the nicety with which he played his bit. We wished it had been more of a bit. This young man is climbing rapidly. This film also brought to us Voya George. Where has he been all this time? Save for a single picture and article in Picture Play a short time ago, we've never heard of him before. Hasn't he personality? Trust Picture Play to make the discoveries, every time. My brickbat is hurled with a steady hand at that flapperish person, Clara Bow. She's not the Clara of "Down to the Sea in Ships" and "Black Oxen," and even "Rough-house Rosie." She's getting not only flapperish, but sophisticated — almost we can term her high-hat. It's really most discouraging. We used to like Clara. Evidently the fact that she draws the largest load of fan mail at Paramount — since Negri's departure — has turned our fair one's head. We even read in Picture Play just a bit back, in one of Mr. Oettinger's best articles, that the Bow now "permits herself to be seen." Well, all well enough — we'd probably do the same if our trifling heads were the subject of such sundry bouquets as are constantly thrown Clara's way. But a word to the wise — we've heard not a few say lately, "Clara? She's well enough, but just a bit tiresome." As a parting shot, we want mo*-e and still more of Louise Fazenda, and not the "Five-and-Ten-Cent Annie" sort. Give us another "Ladies at Play." S. Garvey Thomas. 43 Summer Street, Montpelier, Vermont. A Big Collection. So many fans have written to me, asking me to tell more about my movie treasures, that I am depending on the generosity of Picture Play to grant me further space to describe them. In my famous autograph album I have the following new autographs : "Smilingly, Eddie Peabody" — the famous banjo king who played to packed houses for a season in Seattle, and who has now gone to New York; "Sincerely yours, Janet Gaynor" ; "To Elinor Garrison, with all good wishes, Colleen Moore" ; Isabel Jean's autograph — a famous English actress; "Sincerely, Marion Davies"; "Most Sincerely, Norma Shearer" ; Vilma Banky's autograph; "Los Angeles, California. My best wishes to Elinor Garrison from Harold Lloyd" ; Clara Bow's autograph; "To Elinor, with my best wishes for your happiness, Sue Carol"; "To Elinor Garrison, sincere best wishes, Dorothy Mackaill"; "Best wishes, Milton Sills"; "To Elinor Garrison, George Fawcett" — I'm mighty proud of that ! — "Sincere good wishes to Elinor Garrison, Thelma Todd"; "To Elinor Garrison, wishing her every happiness, Doris Kenyon" ; "To -Elinor Garrison I send my sincerest personal regards and best wishes. Always, Jeanette Loff"; and "To Elinor, with kind thoughts and good wishes, Anna Q. Nilsson." A beautiful photo came autographed, "To Elinor Garrison, with best wishes, Billie Dove"; one from Colleen Moore, autographed; one of Sue Carol, also personally autographed. A beautiful one of Anna Q. Nilsson was autographed, "To Elinor Garrison, witb my good wishes, Anna Q. Nilsson," and one of Loretta Young, autographed to me; a large, beau Continued on page 101