Broadway and Hollywood "Movies" (Jan - Aug 1934)

32 “ MOVIES ” FARMINGTON , NEW MEX.—l have been a constant reader of your fine magazine since its first issue. The thing that especially attracted my attention to your publication, was the variety and fine quality of your pictures. This has been its chief drawing card ever since, though I must admit that you have some other worth-while features, such as the new “Baloonacy”, the “News Reel” and “Dress Up America” departments. Why not run a feature article on that sterling actor, Dick Powell; we all like him here. I also like your reviews because you give briefly the name, producer, director, and fairly complete cast. 1 do not always like your comments like “well-acted” or “colorful” because I want to know what the story is about. If 1 like the story and the actors, 1 do not mind if it is well staged or not. But then I cannot expect you to be perfect, when you already have so many points of perfection. — Alpha Odle. Gone Goofy on Gene ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA.— Honestly, 1 think Gene Raymond has more sex appeal, personality and good looks than any man of the screen today. He is a wonderful actor and the type I could fall hard for; I do hope he starts making personal apparances at the theatres. Why doesn’t your magazine run a feature article on Mr. Raymond; he is a precious darling. I enjoyed his work in “The House of 56th Street” ever so much, as I did “Zoo in Budapest.” Blonde men always appeal to me. — E. E. Rekeips. Famous Foreigners NEW YORK, N. Y. — I’m glad one of your readers brought up the subject of the European musicians coming to our country, giving concerts and going back to their country with United States money. Why are the people of America such fools? Why cater to foreigners when we have just as good and better over here? Why not give our own a chance? It is not only with the musician, but stage and screen people as well. Many an American girl is walking the streets today looking for work as extra in the pictures who is far better an actress than Greta Garbo and the rest of that crowd of foreigners. I have nothing against people of other countries, but why not let them stay at home and make their money where they spend it and give the American a chance? — A Sympathizer. '■mis issue „ edited by: LAURA LEE fQNTF “Talkies’” Ten Leaders OVERBROOK, PA. — The ten greatest actors and actresses, and I defy any of your readers to name any better, of the screen, in order of superiority, are Greta Garbo, Helen Hayes, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Marlene Dietrich, Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Edward G. Robinson, Walter Huston. Mr. John Barrymore himself stated that Garbo and Lionel are the screen’s greatest, and he ought to know a little about acting. — Talkie Fan. An Open Letter NEW YORK, N. Y. — Knowing Hollywood as I do, I am giving you a story about the “Hollywood Chain Gang”. Hollywood is what the Stars themselves make it — a beautiful world all their own. Anyone who cannot find happiness in that “Land of Make Believe” does not know the true meaning of that word. In other words, they are not trying to find happiness. I am also going as far as to say that any true-born actor or actress who is trying to break away from this so called chain gang is not being sincere with him or herself nor with the public. I am sure that down deep in their hearts they feel that they could not give up their work in motion pictures unless their work gave them up first. Hollywood has given the stars everything yet some of them are unappreciative of this fact. The public along with most of the stars and directors try to blame Hollywood for their many mistakes, for their unsuccessful and unhappy marriages which the movie magazines and newspapers are filled with. But how often do these same magazines and newspapers print stories about the really happy marriages in Hollywood, about the stars who do find this film world a living heaven. Must they always condemn Hollywood for everything? Let’s take for example Warner Baxter’s marriage which has been a happy one for fifteen years. Why has there never been a scandal or rumor connected with him? Why does he love Hollywood and has found happiness there? Mr. Baxter, like very few men and women in this world, knows the value and meaning of real love and does not mistake it for infatuation or passion. He is willing after his day’s work at the studio to find love and happiness in his own home and with his own wife. He is satisfied with his wife and shares his sorrows, heartbreaks, and happiness with her. 'Although he is grateful to his fans, to his directors, and to his leading ladies, he does not take the flattery of his success too seriously. He does not let it stand in the way of his wife, home, or happiness. Yet he is kind, understanding, and thoughtful of others. He gives all that is in him to his public and in return they all love him and respect him. Movie magazines, give us more stories and pictures of Warner Baxter. Directors, give us more pictures like “Daddy Long Legs,” and “The Doctor’s Wife.” And please, above all else, rush the release of “The Tale of Two Cities.” Only Warner Baxter could bring tothe screen such a man as Sidney Carton, such a story of love and sacrifice. He is his fan’s reel hero, and his wife’s real hero. Long may Warner Baxter live in Hollywood and may all his most cherished dreams come true. If Hollywood is a chain gang I only wish I were part of it where I too could find the magic spell of happiness under those sunset skies. — Henrietta Mantell. William Wishes Westerns MOUNDSV1LLE, W. VA.—l wantto congratulate the Broadway and Hollywood “Movies” magazine for their article about Tom Tyler in the Nov. 1933 issue. I get this magazine every month and look forward to seeing articles about Western stars. I also like this magazine for the scenes of all the different scenes in production of films. This is about the only magazine that gives the Western heroes any consideration. A person gets tired of seeing sex pictures and gangster’s molls all the time, and a good western ahout twice a week is refreshing. I hope to see some more articles of this kind in some more of the issues to come. I would really like to see Jean Parker or Laura Lee play a heroine in a blood-andthunder “western” picture soon. — William Doty.