Talking Screen (Sep-Oct 1930)

RUG 14 1930 GEORGE T. DELACORTE, Jr., Publisher and Editorial Director ^ m ROWELL BATTEN, MAY NINOMIYA, Associate Editors ERNEST V. HEYN, Editor WAYNE G. HAISLEY, Managing Bdilor The Spokesman of Talking Piclures A GENERATION of girls has wished devoutly to exchange places with Mary Pickford. It ^ seemed more romantic to be America's Sweetheart rather than just the girl-friend of Tom or Harry. Yet "Our Mary" has known little of happiness. Since the poverty-bareness of her childhood she has striven and slaved to acquire that success measured in the dimes and dollars of the movite public. She has seen her girlhood romance wither on the stem like a blighted rose. Children have been denied her. Family escapades have brought her sorrow. The searing rays of white-hot publicity have burned into the most sacredly secret corners of her heart. Now from the lofty exile of her high estate rumors of further 'infelicity become so insistent as to demand denials. And so this tired little queen, who has bowed in life-long genuflection to public opinion, bravely endeavors to laugh off repeated rumors that she and Doug have been storm-tossed from their marital moorings. In return for a quarter-century of unhappy servitude she has failed to win the common freedom necessary to either ignore the gossip-mongers, or sever a loveknot that may have become a gyve upon her heart. Mary Pickford would gladly exchange life-roles with any of her flapper fans. PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ SINCE the war, Hollywood has been all cluttered up with royalty. Honest-to-goodness ex-Highnesses are hidden in the spinach. And there's a phoney prince for every premiere. But this didn't prevent a lady celeb seeker from trying to impress Alice Joyce, whom she met for the first time. "Why," said the lion-hunter to the aristocratic Alice, "I actually dined with a Russian Grand Duke!" "Really?", replied Alice, "I was more fortunate. I didn't!" PROFITS FOR PROPHETS PICK winners and geL "-ich quick. Of course, there's a trick in it. Every Dang-tail isn't a "Gallant Fox." Nor is every actor a Chester Morris. But, nevertheless, it can be done. If you're lucky. Director Roland West "discovered" Chester Morris and starred him in Alibi. Incidentally, Roland signed Chester to a personal contract. That was a year ago. Since then Chester has worked in six of the major Hollywood studios. West's cut of Chester's earnings has totalled well over a quarter-million. Chester, himself, has doubtless netted enough to buy the baby shoes and save up for that rainy day umbrella. GAYNOR LOSES JANET GAYNOR'S one-man strike is off. She's returned to work and will be teamed again with Charlie Farrell. Janet didn't want to make songcinemas, for the seemingly good reason that she can't sing. Or thinks she can't.. So when they scheduled her for another High Society Blues, she sailed off the set and didn't furl her canvass until she passed Diamond Head, Hawaii. Cajolery failed, so they took her off the pay-roll, although her contract prevented work for another company. Apparently some one has given Janet good advice. Right or wrong, no player is bigger than the picture business. She's back on the Fox lot now, and maybe her smile, her dimples and that bow in her hair will accomplish more than the pouting. CHEERS FOR CHANEY tON CHANEY lies stricken with serious illness. J This following on the heels of what should have been his greatest triumph. For the man-with-a-thousand-faces certainly scored a victory over the film menace, Mike Rophone, when he gave the talking screen not one but a half-dozen voices in the new Unholy Three. None of the old and honorable guard of moviedom has emerged with such complete supremacy from an initial combat with the sound device. Cheers for Cbaney! May he soon be back before the mikes and camera and find greater fame than he has ever known. And incidentally, if you hear any odd sounds around the house these midnights — don't shoot, because, now that the talkies are here, it might be Lon Chaney! 17