Movie Classic (Apr-Aug 1932)

You Can Read Sylvia Sidney's Secrets in Her Face Do you know why producers guessed wrong when they thought Sylvia was like Clara Bow — and why she looks so sad — and why men can t often tell how they rate with her? Read her character through Faciology By Toni Gallant STUDY the portrait of Sylvia Sidney at the right — one of her favorite portraits, showing her in her favorite mood, a wistful mood. See if you can guess what characteristics are shown by the features marked with letters. Then check your guesses with the chart below the portrait — telling you, feature by feature, v. hat Physiognomy reveals about her character. It is a well-known fact that Sylvia Sidney was chosen Inr the screen at face value — and that she was originally intended to take the place of Clara How. They do resemble one another in that their faces are both round and agreeable to look at — but, outside of that, the resemblance ceases. Clara Bow and Sylvia Sidney are two totallj different types. 1 he science of Physiognomy could have told that in one glance. It is true that they are both vital in type, bur they are extreme opposites when it comes to thought and temperament. Sylvia Sidney likes sad moods. She clothes them about her like soft veils. I > 1 1 1 inherently, sin is not in the least pessimistic. Fai from it. Deep down within herself, there is sin li a love ol life and such vitality, that she is almost .1 child in her appreciation of things. Not childish — but 1 lnlillike. She is as new and fresh and naive as only a child can be. For this reason her performances are a pleasure to heboid — she gets such a lug "kick" out of them. Acting is like a game to her. Sylvia Shyer Than Clara SYLVIA has plenty of the How charm, bur she is much soberer, and cannot hope to possess that fien abandon that was so likable m the llamehke "It" girl. But at tinsame time Clara could never own the shy naivete that is so naturally Sylvia's. Intelligence plays a big part in Sylvia Sidney's charactei . She has the sixth sense. It is revealed in her profile, her 1 ' brows, her nose and her eyes — that unconscious desire (Continued on page 65) PHYSIOGNOMICAL FEATURES A. Face type. Sylvia is a mental-vital combination. B. Profile -concave. Indicates great love of artistic finish. Thoughts turn much upon herself. She is inherently romantic. She is tolerant, patient, sympathetic, and loves people as people. C. Coloring and texture. She is sensitive and impressionable. D. Head formation — upper. She is perfectly normal, though successful. She does not believe in taking chances where an element of foolhardiness exists. E. Distance from nose to ear. She has a very active interest in all things. There is practically nothing that doesn't get a response from her. Her judgment is good. F. Forehead type). She is well-balanced, and possesses ability both to visualize and to reflect. Able to see both sides of a question. G. Forehead (vertical construction . She has an excellent memory and a fine imagination. H. Eyebrows. She is lively. Also moody and impressionable. Relation of eyebrow to eye indicates she is not deeply concentrative, but perceives quickly. I. Eyes normally wide apart. She is able to regulate her emotions without falling into eccentricities. J. Eyes shape1. She is natively shrewd. You can't fool her. She may be polite and let you think you have put something over, but she is perfectly aware of what you are doing. K. Eyes 1 expression!. Sympathetic. Indicate racial, inherent sadness, but this is a mood, rather than an active part of her existence. She can relax and laugh and be a little playgirl just like the rest of them. L. Nose. Shows she is capable of ardent affection, but is selective in mind. She likes comfort anil material wealth. Not too discriminating to be snobbish. She is full of vitality. M. Mouth and lips. Full and rich with color. Show she is warm-hearted, though demonstrations are tempered by reserve. N. Lips 1 set formation^. They are a trifle oblique. This means she struggles for self-control at times. The lips are also a trifle drawn down, but from a mood rather than pessimism. O. Chin and jaws. Her chin is broad and short. She is good-natured, but persevering. Likes to be easygoing. 1 1