Screenland (Nov 1929-Apr 1930)

14 SCREENLAND She is somewhat of a mystery; that is why she is so very fascinating. If we knew her every movement, she would only be commonplace. Her appeal lies in the fact that she is different. Knowing nothing of her real self, it is of the screen Garbo that I speak. Having seen some actresses play a part, we more fully appreciate the Garbo who lives her role. For the time being, she ceases to be Garbo, but becomes the character to be portrayed. A star so talented becomes an artist, and when this is true you not only see a picture, but you feel it as well — her joys are your joys, her sorrows yours, too. You love with her; laugh with her; cry with her. Garbo's every movement is expressive of deep emotion. A lift of the eyebrows, a curve of the lips, a gesture of the hand, a glance of the eye will turn sunshine to pathos, then back again in lightning-like succession. I have no fear of hearing her first talkie, for I know that she will do that as superbly as she does all else. H. L. Parks, 3000 West Avenue. Newport News, Virginia. Three Loud Cheers ! Three loud cheers for the way in which our favorite film players have made their debut in the talkies. They have proved themselves in my opinion, more capable in this new development than the recruited stage players. And the picture fans have shown that they prefer to see the wellknown faces rather than unknowns from the New York stage. The best of the stage players survive, but the best are few in number. Maurice Chevalier and Al Jolson have made big hits and, perhaps, Ruth Chatterton and Jeanne Eagels. But look at the list of film stars who have given such perfect characteriza Kenneth Harlan has a loyal band of followers to whom each new Harlan film is a real event. Norma Talmadge adds another fan to her already enormous collection. Norma's first talkie is "New York Nights." tions since the advent of talking pictures. There's Myrna Loy, for example, in "The Squall"; and Mary .Pickford, whose enactment of the title role in "Coquette" was nothing short of perfect. Bessie Love and Conrad Nagel have achieved new popularity by reason of their splendid accomplishments via the talking screen. Corinne Griffith has added glory to her name since first being heard. Ronald Colman proves that he can more than hold his own. As for the younger players, they have proven that they are just as good in the talkies as some of the more experienced stars. Ellen W. White, 5247 Florence Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. A Hand to Rudy Vallee Practically all my life I have been associated with musicians. Being a music critic has made that necessary. I firmly believe that a musical profession is the most colorful, intriguing profession of all. In the past six months I've noticed a change in modern music. Rudy Vallee, I believe, is responsible for that change. With his introduction of soft, sweet music, the blare of jasz is disappearing. Rudy Vallee has started something! But. because he has started something, I sincerely hope that Hollywood will not try to make a screen actor of Rudy. His place is in music, there he should stay. Understand, I'm not adverse to his making "The Vagabond Lover." I, for one, am anxiously awaiting its release. Miss Marjorie Howe, "The Pines," Shreveport, La. Thanks to Talkies Here's to the greatest entertainment medium in the world — talking pictures. I do not believe that anyone can be antagonistic to this marvelous development in motion pictures after seeing and hearing such wonderful pictures as "Broadway Melody," "The Singing Fool," "Alibi," and other worthwhile pictures. To those people who have not the means nor the opportunity to see great Broadway productions, a new field of entertainment will be opened. They, too, will be able to see the finest plays and hear the glorious voices of the great stage stars. The scope of talking and sound pictures is tremendous. Its possibilities are unlimited. I look forward to the development of this new art into an educational field as well. Then too, thanks to the talking pictures, some of our old favorites have not been lost to us, while on the other hand we have learned to know and admire lesser luminaries whose personalities have become enhanced by the beauty of their voices. Among the actors and actresses who deserve sincere praise are Ruth Chatterton, Norma Shearer, Ronald Colman, Louise Fazenda and Chester Morris. Gloria Kaflow. 245 Broadway. Room 601, New York City, N. Y. To Talk Or Not To Talk I would like to ask all the fans of this department if they think Charlie Chaplin's next picture should be a talkie or a silent one. And I wonder if that dear man isn't thinking very hard about it, too. Come on, fans, tell Charlie to make it silent! He will be glad to know what you think about it. I love the talkies but you can't laugh out loud and hear a talkie too, and I would like to see more silent pictures. My favorites are Mary Pickford, Douglas Mary Nolan's popularity has increased since talkies have added a melodious voice to her blonde beauty.