Motion Picture (Aug 1931-Jan 1932)

Letters to the Editor $20.00 Letter Another Way Of Looking At It ROCHESTER, N. Y— Gangster pictures are poisoning the minds of the younger generation. Rot! There has been quite a bit of talk about the bad effect the now popular crime pictures will have on the young boys of to-day. How can such a statement carry any weight? Here's my way of looking at it. Isn't it more logical that the children who see these crime and crook pictures have the desire to follow in the footsteps of the heroes of these pictures — the cops and the detectives — and not the criminal, who is either brought to justice or killed in every gangster film? Every boy likes to think himself a hero. Therefore, isn't it more natural for him to be influenced by the men he idolizes — the men who get the crooks and not the crooks themselves? He knows that the crook gets killed in the end and that it is the hero of the story who does the killing. That's why he worships the hero. Don't they always applaud the hero when the gangster is captured? Doesn't this go to show that it is the heroic part they admire and try to imitate and not the criminal whom the screen always presents as a cheap, yellow culprit who always gets what's coming to him. I believe that these pictures are more apt to have a tendency to teach right from wrong and have no tendency to influence anyone wrongly. Our boys are hero-worshippers. So, producers, keep giving us these peppy gangster pictures that actually teach a lesson. H. Pat. •3 « »• $10.00 Letter Perfect Profiles Not Necessary NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.— Brawn and Brain, rather than Blandness and Beauty, are having their fling in the movies now; perfect profiles are no longer necessary and age is not a handicap. This is most gratifying to those who, like myself, prefer the leer of Edward Robinson to the sweet smile of Robert Montgomery; the roughness of Dressier and Beery to the persistent Peter-Pannishness of Gaynor and Farrell; the naturalness of Rambeau to the posing of Garbo ; Charles Bickford's rugged countenance to the angel face of Lew Ayres; and the wrinkles of Edna May Oliver to the writhings of Jean Harlow. And I haven't mentioned Will Rogers and George Arliss! Don't think I'm absolutely agin youth and good looks — not so long as we have Clark Gable, Warner Baxter, James Cagney, Joan Bennett and Claudette Colbert. But then they can act, too. Gable and Cagney are sensations — and it certainly seems like old times to have sensations again. I only hope — and don't we all? — that they will get the kind of pictures and roles they deserve. Effa E. Preston. $5.00 Letter Vary Norma' s Roles CHARLOTTE, N. C.-Chalk up another big hit for Norma Shearer in "A Free Soul." A great picture and a great cast. Lionel Barrymore, true to Barrymore tradition, was the living, breathing, drinking Stephen Ashe. Norma Shearer, as Sylvia, was superb, as she is in everything she does. But the trouble is, she usually does the one thing. Now I am sure that all Norma Shearer fans agree that her roles are becoming too standardized. Believe it or not, but Norma is getting a little bit too gay. We are getting a bit fed up on a steady diet of her indiscretions. We want to see her in other types of pictures for a change. Stories of life by a quiet countryside; pictures of the middle walks of life, instead of having her go to Paris in every picture. Mrs. Joe Miller. •1 « s> Movie Moratoriums CHICAGO, ILL.— While "moratoriums" are in season, why not one each on gangster, war and sex films? Another on drinking scenes. One on affected English, slang, mannerisms that irritate. Also a moratorium on the use of standard fiction so completely rewritten that its author could not recognize it, that is, nothing except the title. A moratorium on over-advertisement that so fires our imaginations that the film inevitably falls below our expectations. A moratorium on super-sophistication. . . . And in place of these, more Technicolor films of high-class operettas such as the Victor Herbert or Gilbert and Sullivan ones, the Friml, Strauss and Romberg classics. These contain beauty that is as lasting and refreshing as the best things in life. Barbara Mueller. •s » »• Marlene Is Leg-Conscious GIRARD, KANSAS.— Recently, I saw "Dishonored" and as a hosiery advertisement, it was a huge success. The picture convinced me of one thing — Marlene Dietrich is leg conscious. Why Marlene mars her charming personality and otherwise marvelous acting by an over display of legs is quite beyond me. The picture opened and closed with a pair of legs, not to mention a dozen or more close ( <D Prizes For Best Letters Each month Motion Picture awards cash prizes of Twenty Dollars, Ten Dollars, and Five Dollars for the three best letters published on this page. If more than one letter is considered of equal merit, the full amount of the prize will go to each writer. So, if you've been entertaining any ideas about the movies and the stars, confine yourself to about 150 words or less, and let us know what's on your mind. No letters will be returned. Sign your full name and address. We will use initials if requested. Address: Laurence Reid, Editor, Motion Picture, 1501 Broadway, New York City. ups of them, the flipping of skirts and tiring efforts of the star to convince her audience that she does have beautiful legs. Marlene lacks the sophistication that has made Greta, Constance and Tallulah outstanding. Can you imagine Greta making a leg display? Perhaps she doesn't have beautiful legs, though I am quite sure she would never exploit her charms in this manner. It lacks individuality. Perhaps I owe an apology to Marlene. It might have been the fault of a leg-loving director. At any rate, I hope in her next picture we will again have the charming Marlene of "Morocco" and not the leg show of "Dishonored." Sue Haney. •a « »• They're Only Human SEATTLE, WASH.— When the movies were in the gingham-apron-and-romper stage, Theda Bara discovered that her career as a vampire depended very much on how gullible the public was anent her relationship to Cleopatra. Francis X. Bushman, Maurice Costello, and others, were afraid to marry, obtain a divorce, or to admit they were parents. Since then, the movies have leaped to gigantic heights; one can hardly believe the present-day films are related to the old "came the dawn" movies. Since then, women have bobbed their hair, inhaled cigarettes and demanded equality. Since then, Youth has made a free translation of mature conduct .... Briefly, then, with all this, one expects a change in the public mind — a change in the direction of strength and character. But where is it? There's Clara Bow, whose career is in jeopardy because of unfavorable publicity'; there are still screen players afraid to admit being a parent. A number of lovely actresses lost out in the "big industry" (and incidentally, their lives), because the public decreed they were too plump. If reports are true, Lew Ayres is afraid to marry because of public sentiment; Irving Thalberg isn't permitting Norma Shearer to have any more "Free Love and Soul" vehicles because they might endanger her popularity. Did someone say we are an open-minded and democratic people? Well, it looks to me as if the road to independence will be a still longer and more arduous one if the public doesn't stop insisting that the film-players live in glass houses. Kay Matthews. Awaiting Clara's Return AUSTIN, TEXAS. — Not being a regular movie goer I was somewhat set back if not annoyed by the numerous pictures featuring Clara Bow. I weakened and went to see one: "Three Weeks." Completely was I won over to her world of fans. She portrayed the fire of life and youth that we all feel but somehow never bring to the surface. Again and again I went to see this beautiful girl. Through each picture I lived, laughed and cried with her. Then ugly stories, tales we won't believe, began to seep out. Things most disgusting. But not once have I lost faith in that little redhead. Breathlessly, we await her return — in a big picture. Ruby Ozbun. {.Continued on page 70)