Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1924-Jan 1925)

The Rarest of Sensations (Continued from page 25) He is not easy to know. Complex of nature, aloof and solitary by instinct, he brings to mind the words of Michelangelo, "I have no friend of any kind and do not want any." For all his ebullient wit and his charm as a companion, once friendship has been established, he still is not the sort you would designate as "a great guy on a party." Primarily a musician, he has that detachment from the visible world that has marked the great musicians. Not a "dreamer," yet living intensely in an inner vision. He once said to me, "I dont believe I ever live in the present — I'm always planning, planning, planning." He not only plans, he works, doggedly, systematically, ruthlessly. Music is his earthly god. A celebrated teacher of voice in New York declares he can appear with the Metropolitan Opera within five years if he chooses. Already he has mastered the role of Atheneal in "Thais," his favorite opera. But his inclination is toward concert. He is ambitious to present the works of Mexican composers, little known to this country, and to that end has prepared a program of their music. His music library, to which he is continually adding, contains the best compositions of English, French, Spanish and Italian. He speaks and reads all four languages. I have known a great many artists but none with such unfaltering faith in his talents or such tenacity of will as Ramon Novarro. He has the ego necessitous to the artist, a ruthless ego, yet, by the same token, he is so free from all personal vanity as to appear humble. The artist who declared that he has the physique of Michelangelo's David and the face of an El Greco Don receives his polite smile, but the critic who heralds him an artist earns his humble gratitude. He is singularly appreciative, yet with a shrewd discrimination. His confidence is not easy to win. In the Spanish character I have found a marked strain of suspicion ; I have also found a marked degree of loyalty. Novarro's perspective upon himself is notable thus far for its clarity. What the sycophantry of movie heroworship may do to him, I cannot predict — I've predicted in other cases and failed miserably ; I do know that in long association with him he has shown an astounding strength of character, a steadfastness to ideal that has not in the least been shaken. There has been much in life to strengthen character. As one in a family of fourteen, where there was little pampering of affection, he learned self-reliancy. His family, once wealthy, suffered reverses and he was compelled to earn his own way from the age of seventeen. While struggling for a chance on the stage in New York, he earned but two dollars and a half a week, a percentage of which he always sent home. With his first salary from Ingram he assumed complete responsibility for that family and sent one brother off to the University of California. The individual is uncompromising. You are either for him or against him. Impartiality is impossible. And Novarro is distinctly an individual. His success on the screen or in any other art must be based on his ability as an artist. Those who know him and have read "The Romance of Leonardo da Vinci," by Merejkowski, have been struck by his likeness to Raphael. I have heard Rex Ingram exclaim, "What a Raphael Ramon would make!" Raphael, "the stranger (^MOTION PICTURn l Q 7?endezVow T3eaut There is no supernatural reason why forty years have dealt so gently with my skin and complexion. No mysterious gift of nature to help my appearance compete with youth — to play side by side with you girls and still feel one of you in looks. What I have done with my appearance every woman can do with her's. The beauty and freshness of youth can be with you for many years to come. My secret, if you can call it such, has been GoURAUOS ORIENTAL CREAM It will keep your skin smooth and soft and render to your complexion a fascinating, radiant beauty. Its antiseptic action has kept my skin pure and clear — free from all blemishes. Its astringent action has greatly discouraged wrinkles and flabbiness. With all that it has accomplished for me its use is simple — just a few moments a day. A new and greater beauty is awaiting those who will try it. Gouraud's Oriental Comprimettes At Last! Gouraud's Oriental Cream in compact form. You have never used anything like it. A soft, silky adhering powder, containing all the subtle beautifying properties of Gouraud's Oriental Cream. Two sizes, 50c and 51.00 and in six shades, White, Flesh, Rachel Powders and Light, Medium and Dark Rouges. SPECIAL OFFER— Send 50c for a Comprimette (any shade), a bottle of Gouraud's Oriental Cocoanut Oil Shampoo, and a bottle of Gouraud's Oriental Cream (state shade). FERD. T. HOPKINS & SON 430P Lafayette Street New York City