The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Page Twenty THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1926 Hollywood, Calif. MORE ABOUT LYA AND POLA IN ANSWER TO J. D. Dear J. D. : It is so rare that anyone picks up enough courage to dispute my judgment and criticism of a screen players work, that I can not refrain from acknowledging your sagacity in the attempt to call my cards on the opinion I hold for Lya de Putti. You apparently doubted your own convictions when you anonomously signed the letter that was boxed in last week’s FILM MERCURY, but I have no objection to this, as it affords me a broader latitude of expressing an answer without reserve or respect for sex or age by virtue of not knowing who the answer is being directed at. I ask you in all fairness, if you know motion picture history at all, to recall the feminine stars of the past who gained their position of stardom through a consistent portrayal of vampire or “off color” roles. The few who did, which history will tell you, can be counted on the fingers of your left hand, namely, Virginia Pearson, Theda Bara, Louise Glaum, Barbara La Marr and Nita Naldi, and how long did they last? It is true, Theda Bara held her own possibly as long as the average life of a star, but let us also concede that had she alternated or perhaps modified her characterization of these roles, she no doubt would have lasted much longer. You quote Barbara La Marr as maintaining popular favor, vet if you will check back on the drawing power of the last two pictures made before her untimely death, you will find this player’s popularity was already on the decline. The same can be said of Louise Glaum, Virginia Pearson and others, which proves the merit of my contention that “ a bad woman on the screen never wins the sympathy of the public in any substantial measure.” This, then, being the basis of a screen player’s popularity, it is absurd to insist that a continual performance of “off color” roles will instill the same admiration and confidence with the public as will more wholesome roles? You say “it was hardly a sympathetic role that brought de Putti into prominence,” of which I agree with you, but do you overlook the fact that in back of this role there was a new personality brought to the screen, one that was magnified by such dynamic force that the public could not help but like her. They can see, as I do, the depth of this personality, imbued with the power to portray more wholesome characterizations of life, and should not be imposed upon by a continual portrayal of the “weak women.” If, as you say, it takes more forceful emotion and dramatic ability to put over a bad role, and that there are plenty of extra girls not dry behind the ears who can aptly portray the sympathetic roles, then why don’t we have more Norma Shearers, Irene Richs, Norma Talmadges and Vilma Bankys, any one of whom would look very tempting in a sausage fitting gown or negligee, stretching and heaving without any exertion on a chase lounge. Regardless of all opinions to the contrary, I will continue to insist that Lya de Putti is on the wrong road to gain the hearts of the theatregoers and unless immediate change is made in the type of roles assigned her, she will fail to reach the pinnacle of fame that rightfully belongs to her by virtue of her ability. Yours truly, WILLIAM R. SWIGART. Victor Seastrom to Direct Lillian Gish Victor Seastrom will direct “The Enemy,” Lillian Gish’s next M-G-M starring picture. June Mathis is doing the adaptation and continuity from Channing Pollock’s drama of the same name. Production on the picture will commence very soon. Famous Authors Productions Formed The Famous Authors Productions has been formed in Hollywood to produce a series of famous novels which will be made at the Tec-Art studios early in the New Year, it is announced. $23,276,883 Is Tax Total Washington — Taxes aggregating $23,276,883 were collected upon admissions to theaters during the fiscal year ended June 30, last, it is disclosed in the annual report of the Commissioner of International Revenue. Of this amount $22,997,106 was collected on tickets sold at the box office at established prices and $279,777 on other sales, included in which were $140,909 collected on sales at places other than box office. Lya de Putti Coming To Hollywood Saturday Lya de Putti, who is under contract to Paramount, is coming to the West Coast. She is scheduled to arrive in Hollywood Saturday. This will be Miss De Putti’s first visit to the West Coast. Since her arrival in America she has been making pictures at Paramount’s Long Island studio. Miss De Putti’s first screen work in Hollywood will be a featured role in support of Florence Vidor in the latter’s forthcoming starring vehicle, “Afraid to Love,” which will be directed bv E. H. Griffith. I KRAG JOHNSON TITLES — CONTINUITIES — GA GS ;!! ill GRanite 1166 Now Free Lancing ip ssi. ::: PANCHROMATIC STOCK EXPERT GLEN (PAN) GANO HEmpstead 5228 ij §} SHOOTS DEVELOPS PRINTS g iji I GARRETT GRAHAM Titles ij: “The Last Trail” FOX