Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1925 - Feb 1926)

Page 74 Exhibitors Trade Review New Screen Faces MICHAEL L. SIMMONS Staff Editor of Exhibitors DAILY REVIEW and EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW Whenever the subject of star value to a picture is discussed in film circles, particularly in critical circles, the talk invariably leads to the important necessity of bringing new faces to the screen. New faces figure in the argument when, as occasionally happens, the newspaper critics take the industry to task for the alleged extravagance in stars' salaries. New faces are often urged by the exhibitors as a device for lowering the cost of films to them. The producers, too, often talk of combating the ever increasing demands of high-salaried stars by developing new stars — new faces. Then, there is the dear old public, who, in the last analysis, is the consideration chiefly to be concerned with. Reports on the public's wish for new faces are various and conflicting. Some would have the public clinging persistently to its favored circle of stars, year in and year out, whether these continue to deliver in big-league style or not. It is true, certain personalities on the screen, just as in every day social life, grow on one until they seem an indispensable part of one's very existence. But, back of it all, somewhere in the early part of the relationship, there had to be a definite factor responsible for the drawing together. Later, when time had tarnished the early perfections of these idols, intimacy had blunted the perspective. The result is that blemishes and faults had become unnoticed and unchal Why They Caught the Reviewer's Eye and Their Relation to Next Year's Film Developments By MICHAEL L. SIMMONS lenged, just as water has no perceptible taste, because the membrane has become accustomed to it by habit. Yet, it is known that new faces on the screen are a refreshing stimulant to the sometimes jaded taste of the public. New actors and actresses coming to the fore with talents comparable to those of older artists, guarantee the maintenance and the advance of improving standards. This brings us to the essential point of this article. Granting the importance of the appearance of new, appealing faces on the screen, it is encouraging to note that 1925, in this respect has experienced some notable finds. Starting with latest events first, and then working backward, the most striking examples would seem to be Lois Moran and Belle Bennett, both of whom have scored so notably in Samuel Goldwyn's production, "Stella Dallas." I recall the afternoon I left the office to review "Stella Dallas" at its New York premiere. I had hardly any or no information as to the identity of these players, nor any conception of the nature of their roles. I did know that Ronald Colman and Jean Hersholt were in the cast, and if I had any predisposition to look for good performance it was in relation to the last two. Then the great thing — for me — happened. I was swept off into an exalted sphere, where things are no more of this earth, where dimensions cease, where one feels more than he sees. I was face to face with sublimity. With all due credit to the handling of the story — which was excellent; with a proper regard for the masterful direction — which was superb ; and Lois Moran Who renders a touching portrayal as Laurel in "Stella Dallas," released by United Artists Rene Adoree She makes the part of Melisande palpitate with vivid pathos in Metro's "The Big Parade" with none the less appreciation of the fine work rendered by Hersholt, Colman, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Alice Joyce, my mind could envision, mainly, one outstanding factor in the gripping power of this film, and that was the soul given to it by the portrayals of Belle Bennett and Lois Moran. I have here my original review of "Stella Dallas," written the next day — -after many hours of turning over and reviving in my mind the mysterious elements that had gripped me so strongly — and I reread the lines which say : "Only the language of the poet could adequately describe the soft, lilting beauty of those portrayals." More specifically, from the showman's point of view, future pictures in which Belle Bennett and Lois Moran appear, will be important to