The New Movie Magazine (Jan-Sep 1935)

YOU TELL US This department is the People's Academy. The people whose names appear here attend the movies. Their letters serve as a guide to the type of entertainment that they like or dislike. These opinions are their own and do not represent NEW MOVIE'S point of view. NEW MOVIE MAGAZINE pays one dollar for every interesting and constructive letter published. Address communications to ADollar-for-Your-Thoughts, NEW MOVIE MAGAZINE, 55 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. Change Mae? — Hm-m-m! Let's change Mae West! Why not have a different Mae West? Change her from the Nineteenth Century to 1934. Let's have no more of the "It" type of girl that men can't resist falling for. I'm for changing Mae. — Mrs. Clyde Stinson, 4 Franklin Avenue, Houlton, Maine. But how many would like that! Norma's Perfection I have just seen that wonderful picture, "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," and my vocabulary fails me in telling what a truly extraordinary production it was. Norma Shearer, through all her glittering successes, has never approached the perfection of her role as Elizabeth Barrett. She was the living, breathing heroine of long ago. It will be a long, long time before the poignant memory of that exquisite scene, where she crept to the window with her last strength to see her lover depart, will be erased from my memory, if ever. I'll say it again: "When better pictures are made, Norma Shearer will make them." — Mrs. Joe Miller, 620 North Graham Street, Charlotte, North Carolina. We hope Norma reads this grand tribute, Mrs. Miller. Largeness of Mind In my estimation Ann Harding as an actress has no peer. The fates have been good to this fair, lovely creature, investing her with that creative something which deals with the largeness of the mind. When you view her pictures you do not think of her as an actress, but as the character she is portraying. She is always vitally that, and always you love her and think as she thinks. There is nothing suggestive about Ann Harding. She has an elegance of manner which removes from her portrayals all trace of crassness. An impressive air marks every movement that she makes, and her beautifully modulated voice lingers in the ears longer than is usual. Ann Harding is indeed a star of the first magnitude, and has won for herself a membership in the higher races. — Mrs. William L. Stanaway, 124 East Case Street, Negaunee, Michigan. We have a story on Ann ready for print, Mrs. Stanaway, in which she speaks of these ideals as the very ones for which she is striving. One Reader Answers Another To you, my dear Mrs. Vito: They tell me that asphyxiation is a most annoying, not to say painful, process. You wouldn't wish that on a dog, let alone on such a superb star as W. C. Fields. Of course, I am willing to admit that you, my dear Mrs. Vito, are far superior to the late (Please turn to page 68) "Jean Parker's fine work proves she is no flash in the pan." "Ann Harding has that creative something which deals with the largeness of the mind." "Norma Shearer has never before approached the perfection of 'The Barretts of Wimpole Street.1 " So say our readers. And: "Let's change Mae West. Change her from the I890's to 1934." "The women stars take excellent care of their persons, but the men get fat," says a reader. A NEW MOVIE MAGAZINE FAN WILL PRESENT THESE AWARDS The People's Academy of Motion Pictures (sponsored by THE NEW MOVIE MAGAZINE) will present twelve gold medals for what the readers of this magazine consider to be the twelve outstanding achievements of the year 1934 in the films. Letters from our readers, carefully tabulated, will be the sole guides to these awards. It is your vote that will count in the final decision! Address letters to The People's Academy or Dollar Thoughts department of this magazine, 55 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. Write us what you think. Medals will be given for the following: 1. BEST ALL-AROUND FEATURE PICTURE 2. BEST PERFORMANCE (ACTRESS) 3. BEST PERFORMANCE (ACTOR) 4. BEST MUSICAL PICTURE 5. BEST HUMAN INTEREST PICTURE 6. BEST MYSTERY PICTURE 9. BEST SHORT REEL PICTURE 7. BEST ROMANCE 8. BEST COMEDY 10. BEST NEWSREEL PICTURE 11. BEST DIRECTION 12. BEST STORY When all these votes are counted at the end of the year, the winners will be named. Then the fan whose vote most closely tallies with the final compilation will be given a trip to New York or Hollywood to present the awards. The stars and producers who win the medals will be there in person to receive them, Name wherever production schedules permit. All expenses to and from Hollywood or New York and entertainment, hotel accommodations, etc., will be borne by THE NEW MOVIE MAGAZINE. Be sure to cast your vote very carefully and YOU MAY WIN THIS THRILLING TRIP. Address 42 The New Movie Magazine, February, 1935