Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1923-Jan 1924)

1 he Editor Gossips THE late summer always brings invitations to all manner of premieres. Releasing companies hold over their big productions thru the warm months and give them autumn releases. : "Little Old New York," Marion Davies' new picture, ened the renovated Park Theater on Columbus Circle hich is now known as the Cosmopolitan Theater. Joseph rban, designer of the Metropolitan Opera House setJfngs and of the settings in the Marion Davies produc!ons, was responsible for the new decorations which are, "ithout a doubt, beautiful. The enormous crystal ;'iandelier hanging high above the balcony is quite the 1 ost awe-inspiring thing we have seen in ages. Victor Herbert conducted the orchestra of skumptyimpty pieces in a flourishing manner, winning enthusiastic applause from many celebrated hands whose owners 'adn't fled Gotham and its sultry night. Anita Stewart was there in a gown of some pastel 'nade — lavender or pink, we couldn't tell which at a disance. Irene Castle, back from Europe and the Parisian ivorce courts, was dashing in an ivory-satin gown, •■abel and Hugo Ballin were together, as is their custom, ^abel wearing her hair in a most becoming way, brushit loosely back and holding it with a large Spanish ' j ,b. And she seemed more diminutive than ever in a liantly embroidered mantilla. Alma Rubens was with mother and sister and Daniel Carson Goodman. She linded us of an early Italian princess in her clinging ack satin and old lace. There were all manner of magazine and newspaper rriters present, too. Harriette Underbill of the New v'ork Tribune turned from her seat in front of us with uncere praise for Miss Davies. And we saw Louella arsons who does the widely read columns, "In and Out of P'ocus," for the Morning Telegraph. In a box, adjoining that of the Honorable John F. Hylan, Mayor of Our City, was Marion Davies. Her sleek gold hair shone above the pale pink of her frock jid wrap. And she carried a bouquet of old-fashioned wers, primly edged with a paper frill, after the vogue of thiies of long ago. ''We couldn't help wondering just what her reaction was to the praise and applause which fell upon her ears at her picture's conclusion. For many years she has continued °">ng her professional path, often receiving unkind notices \ adverse criticism for effort after effort. But she etkt on trying. Her directors will tell you that she cou-ked hard and long, never sparing herself altho she theht have done so. She made up her mind that she tb':.ild one day win praiseworthy notices from those pens mai-h disclaimed her. And all these things she has accomotheed. She has come thru to a place where the most into ting critics have offered praise in her name. She that well feel a pride in the things she has done. Her Dokts have not been spent in vain. And, best of all, she thi, not sacrificed her friendly charm, by the way. .' On the sidewalk later, we glimpsed Dagmar Godowsky waiting for her car. Her black hair was sleekly brushed back from her forehead to a coil, low in her neck . . . her coal-black eyes glowed in the excitement of the crowd . . . and her svelte form was wrapped sinuously in another gorgeously brilliant mantilla. Frank Mayo was not at her side and reports have it that there is a rift in that marital lute. One day last month we had luncheon with Mabel Ballin. It was the first time we had seen her, except in the distance at some First Night at one of the theaters of in... a. hotel dining-room, since she and Hugo returned Marion Davies made up her mind she would one day win praiseworthy notices from those pens which disclaimed her. She has done this. And, best of all, she has not sacrificed her friendly charm by the way from California. And we are pleased to note that once again Hollywood has failed to disturb her serenity. She is possessed of one of the most perfectly balanced perspectives we have ever known. Movie magnates may do radical things. Professional conditions may turn topsyturvy and threaten the finances of everyone in their circle. Mabel Ballin maintains her serenity. We checked her talk of diets (why she talks of reducing, incidentally, is one of the mysteries of our days i that we might talk of her serenity. She denied it. We insisted other people marveled over it too and she was surprised. "Maybe," she said quietly, "it is born of my conviction that there is no rhyme or reason to anything that is done or anything that happens, particularly in the profession of which Hugo and I are pleased to call ourselves a part. T used to fuss. I used to try and delve deeply into the why and wherefore of it all but it must be that I've given up. Both Hugo and I have decided to do the best we can and let it go at that. Nothing profound about that decision. Nothing startling about it, it's something you recited when you were in the primary grades. But it has taken me the intervening years to get back to it." And so the Ballins continue to be normal, pleasant people. Their apartment in the sixties is attractive and comfortable but a far hail from the lavish elegance which is usually attributed to the homes of the cinemese. There's another house which we judge from the photographs Mabel and Hugo proudly display, to be even more charming than the Gotham dwelling. This abode is in the sylvan quietude of the Connecticut mountains and it is here the family repairs when the city bears in upon them and they need rest. All of which goes a long way to prove that is quite possible to be individual, colorful and interesting without being exotic and bizarre. {Continued on page 108) 47 PAG I