Modern Screen (Feb-Dec 1959)

better take a good look at yourself . . . You cite measurements which are considerably padded for an aspiring actress and then declare that you "could lose weight for a real purpose." Well, if acting isn't a real purpose, then forget about it; but if it is important to you, then get started now trimming that profile ... As far as calling quits on your education is concerned: don't! "Whatever you do, don't give up your education!" commands Mr. Bard. Sure, go ahead and take all the drama and acting classes you can, but make them a part of your education and not a substitute for it! And when you get into drama classes, make the most of them. Listen to criticism first instead of the compliments that you want to hear. As Mr. Bard explains, "Phony compliments are destructive; genuine applause from a really critical audience, such as one that has paid admission, is the only way to measure your progress." You can progress, you see, Renee, when you start treating this whole acting idea sensibly and planning your career in advance, just especially for you. You say that you look like Elizabeth Taylor but your career will be successful only when you look just like yourself . . . DEAR EDITOR: My problem is freckles. Since I am eighteen years old, I'm sure they won't go away, so I try to hide them successfully. I know what you are going to say: "freckles are cute, freckles are attractive," etc. Well, I just hate them! I have tried powder, pancake, liquid make-up, all varieties. My problem is that I can't find anything that will hide them decently and I look just wretched. Please, what do you suggest to help me? JEAN — CONNECTI CUT DEAR JEAN: You sound terribly dejected for a girl in the midst of such elite company. Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, Molly Bee and Katherine Hepburn are just a few of the Hollywood stars who boast liberal sprinklings of freckles. They don't even try to hide them. Pat McNalley explains that "there are many so-called freckle removers on the market which have helped some with this problem, but in cases where they don't help and make-up fails to cover the freckles satisfactorily, there remain but two alternatives: either consult a dermatologist for surgical treatment, or learn to live with them." Discarding the first suggestion as drastic, expensive, and unnecessary, the remaining idea is just to accept them. Okay, Jean, you don't have to dig that "freckles are cute" jazz. But they can become attractive if you treat them as an asset. Mr. McNalley cites Janet Munro, who can be seen in Walt Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Janet has buckets of freckles "that we permitted to be seen on the screen . . ." Perhaps that's your answer, Jean, you should "permit them to be seen." Not those trite little 'cute' spots but a part of your appearance that you have in common with a whole stack of leading stars. Those freckles are your beauty marks . . . DEAR EDITOR: I have a long face and a long nose and I look very horsey because of it. I should like to find out how to wear my hair because it now seems to draw attention to my face and makes it all seem even longer. I do not wear a part in my hair now. Could you tell me what style would suit me best? BARBARA — PENNSYLVANIA DEAR BARBARA: Put the bridle and harness away and grab a pair of scissors. No need for your pony problem. Helen Hunt suggests that you wear bangs, "preferably ones that are a bit irregular to break the straight vertical lines of your face and nose with a horizontal sweep." She suggests that you try the styling worn by Sandra Dee in Gidget. This cut is young and gay but has the bang feature that Miss Hunt feels would improve your appearance. But take care, Barbara, and don't cut severe bangs or you'll create a square shape that'll make you seem like a real cube. . . . DEAR EDITOR: I don't sit around and eat candy and potato chips all the time. Actually, I don't eat too many sweets at all. I've gone on diets and have even taken pills that the doctor gave me. But my problem is that I am simply too fat! And I can't stay on a strict diet because I go to school. I eat in the cafeteria or I bring a bag of sandwiches, but either way I put on weight. Don't you think I was just born to be fat? TERRI— KENTUCKY DEAR TERRI : School lunches are a bit of a pain, especially if you are counting calories. But they can be managed, if you are clever about them. Beware of that cafeteria trap: the long rows of pungent stews, spicy pies, juicy sandwiches. Run, don't walk, Terri. to the other end of the counter and fill your tray with fruit, salad, crackers, soup. Stick with any of the low calorie lunches that you can eat without the impossibly fattening salad dressings or cream sauces that make cafeteria food sudden death to dieters. If you bring your lunch, fill that brown paper bag with containers of cottage cheese, jello, fruit, or salad, and tuck in stalks of celery, chunks of apple, slabs of cheese. It's really quite a challenge trying to avoid the lunchtime calories and keep your waist trim. Just keep one thing in mind, Terri: some people were born to watch their weight, to count calories, to plan meals : but nobody was ever 60/77 to be fat . . . Something still bothering you? Hollywood's top authorities will find the answers for you, if you write to: Maxine, Under 21 Modern Screen 750 Third Avenue New York 17, N.Y.