Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

52 Holl^ood Higk LigKts than one with picture personalities. The commission which Miss Hopper earned out of the deal for the Thomson . estate would doubtless make many another player envious these days. Dolores London Idol. Dolores del Rio is the enchantress of the London screen. News received from the English metropolis indicates this most dazzlingly. Miss del Rio was the favorite Hollywood actress in a vote recently tabulated there, no less than 250,000 persons having expressed their preferences in stars. The victory was complete, except in the single detail that Miss del Rio was tied for first place by the English star, Betty Balfour. Miss Balfour is virtually unknown in this country, but is apparently a decided hit abroad. Other American actresses who won high honors included Clara Bow, Vilma Banky, Florence Vidor, and Mary Pickford. Ronald Also Victor. : The conquest was even more complete in the instance of the men. Ronald Column gained first place — untied and unrivaled. Other idols in order were Richard Dix, Adolphe Menjou, Syd Chaplin, and Charlie Chaplin. Talking pictures were also voted on, and declared undesirable by a majority. However, an American ballot in many places would run much the same, and shows that disappointment was felt in the earlier and immature efforts at making dialogue films. : The success of the talkie is amply proved by the increases in theater attendance everywhere. So it seems that despite all protests they are here to. stay. This is borne out especially -by the announcement of one of the largest companies that they will produce no more silent pictures. Betty and Jim Separate. Betty Compson and James Cruze took the studio world by surprise with the announcement of their separation. They have been wedded six years, and everybody was under the impression that their life together was exceedingly happy. Reconciliation was even talked of, following the news that they had decided to live apart — but apparently with little substantiation in the attitude of , the two principally concerned. Miss Compson is living at Santa Monica, and Cruze has remained at the home in Flintridge. The disagreement seems to have been due largely to lack of similar social interests. Miss Compson likes to go to the theater and to parties, and Cruze prefers to remain at home. The custom of entertaining on Sundays, which has long prevailed in the -Cruze household, also did not find favor with Betty, because she regarded that as her one, day of rest. Betty, of course, has been active in pictures for some time, having established herself as a talkie actress. The Village Poet Resumes. The air is full of mergers, both finished and impending, O, Hollywood, just be yourself, with clinch and happy ending. This is the age of tempests, the movie moguls tell us — Who cares if actors speak their piece or, gesturing, impel us? All we want is lots of fun and plenty of good adventure. We'll never fight a clever film, or wish upon it censure. The talkies furnished lots of sport, when they were merly squawkish. Now they're more comma il font; hope they ne'er get mawkish. Mary Pickford owns a voice, and surely she can use it. E'en if she sweetened "Coquette," maybe we can excuse it. Phyllis Haver'll quit the screen ; she wants to be hap'ly married. Maybe she's wiser'n certain stars, who, when wedded, tarried. The screen has reacquired that humorist, Will Rogers, This time he'll talk, while playing amusing old codgers. A beef-trust ballet was a recent innovation. What is't? Don't ask! Straight lines now rule the nation. Every studio wants to make a snappy movie "Follies," , Songs and jokes they use, and lots of pretty dollies. _ The Barrymores are back from honeymooning cruising, We find they traveled far, by news accounts perusing; John discovered lands with aspect quite Darwinian, And voiced on his return many a sage opinion. The holidaying mood will soon be hitting the player. To prophesy seaward he'll go needs no soothsayer. Hollywood can't cease its life, just for a little upheaval. Heigh-ho! Summer is here, let's to joys primeval. Ample Advance Warning. Nothing if not amply in advance are the plans being made by Joan Crawford for her wedding to Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. A great many people have, ,qf course, insisted that these two young people are already married, but judging from the ceremoniousness of present preparations that could hardly be true. ~- v.; "Joan recently announced that October 23rd would be 4 the elate of their wedding, and also stated that Dorothy Sebastian will be the maid of honor and Vilma Banky the matron of honor. It might also be noted that a threemonth honeymoon tour of Europe is contemplated by the couple. Peter the Hermit Protests. How much did Peter the Hermit receive for not ap LL™?^^f„!?&!i!"-i -I PnCU" Pearing in "Resurrection" ? Rumor whispers that it was $250, although rumor may not be absolutely right. Anyway, Peter felt that when this Tolstoy production was filmed, wrong had been done him because, he asserted, he had been promised the starring part. So he brought legal action. He asked $130,000 damages, originally, but from all indications compromised for a much smaller sum. The suit and its settlement are among those novel happenings that bob up occasionally to brighten the horizon of Hollywood. It will be remembered that Rod La Rocque played the leading role in this film. Cat Proves Battler. Cats are just cats, but then some cats. are different. They haven't entirely overcome their primitive ancestry. Louise Dresser found this out not long ago. And don't go near the water matic pet as she feels it preparing to leap into the surf