Motion Picture Classic (Jul-Dec 1930)

Explosives, High And Low By CEDRIC BELFRAGE c ABLING rapturously from London, Madame Elinor Glyn tells the house of Fox that she is unable to clothe in suitable words her feelings on seeing the movie of her story, "Such Men Are Dangerous." It is so like her story that she might have directed it, herself, coos Madame, so far as it is possible to coo at eight cents a word. Just as "Such Men Are Dangerous" is unwinding itself at a I^os Angeles theater, tidings reach me from London about the talkie called "Knowing Men," which Her Excellency has just finished supervising over there. Everybody hold his seat while I disclose the plot of "Knowing Men." Here goes: A rich girl is engaged to a poor man. She doesn't know whether it's her money or herself he loves. To test his affection she pretends to be poor. A swell idea! Love triumphs — and then fade-out. Now that we have all been brought back to consciousness, I shall resume. The above plot is called " Knowing Men." Does this mean that Her Excellency knows men, by any chance.' I only ask because I begin to wonder whether Her Excellency is spoofing. I am completely mystified. The only thing we know is that she is succeeding. There is one thing however, that somewhat inclines me to believe her humor is deliberate. That is a brief remark which she wrote, early last year, to a fellow-scribe who had done an interview with her: "I have never consciously tried to get publicity for myself." That Far-Away Look THE blue, blue eyes of Mary Nolan are filled with tears. Her troubles started because she wasn't getting enough close-ups. She complained to her overlords, the Laemmle family, about it; and next day fV)und herself barred from the set. So she marched away, vowing never again to .set foot on the Universal lot. They put Pauline Starke into her part in "What Men Want" — which, I hasten 10 to say, is not by Her Excellency, the Comtessa di Glvn. Thev do say that Howard Hughes has not only finished "Hell's Angels" (for the eighth or ninth time), but has decided to leave well enough alone this time and show the world the result of his efforts. This may be true. The proposed opening of " Hell's Angels" at Grauman's Chinese theater will, Howard says, be the most gorgeous social event ever seen in Hollywood. Be this as it may, it will certainly be noteworthy in that more bad jokes will be made by more painful humorists over bigger, radio networks than ever before. Will Rogers, in his homespun way, will probably 'low that Howard should ought to get his face lifted — a sally which will be greeted by roars of mirth. The ingenues will be able to vary their " formula a little by explaining they are "so glad to be th ere " because they feared they might die first. Even when Cecil De Mille makes his invariable remark about it being "a privilege to be invited to see this wonderful production, my friends," everyone will think he is trying to be funny, and hold sides from laughing. The Canceled Entry GI.ORIA SWANSON'S entry for the production-cost stakes, it would appear, has been scratched. "Queen Kelly " is to be allowed to rest her weary old bones in peace, and Joseph Kennedy will take the entire million-dollar loss with as brave a smile as he can summon up. Miracles to Come ll THE most important news of alii is that Aimee McPherson'sl talkie is well on the way. Aimee and' her "flock" are already in the Holy Land, where it is said the final fadeout is to be filmed; and the rest of "Clay in the Hands of the Potter." as the picture is to be called, will be^ filmed the moment she arrives homej in June. {Continued on page 8j) il