The New Movie Magazine (Jan-Sep 1935)

The Other Side of It I have just had the pleasure of seeing dear May Robson in the great picture titled "Grand Old Girl." I wonder when I'll see a picture again that will be half as good. I once saw in a magazine a picture of June Knight and near it I read, "June Knight has what it takes to make a star." Perhaps she has, but May Robson can put them all in the dust. As a rule it is a star like Claudette Colbert that I long to see. As a matter of fact Miss Colbert has been my favorite actress for a long time. I hope Miss Robson's pictures in the near future will turn out as well as this one and I wish her health and happiness— Mary Catherine Kane, 109 Jeffer son Street, Woodstock, 111. See this, Miss Woodruff? Opera After the great success of "One Night of Love," why does not Hollywood think of filming operas? I believe operas would be as successful as "One Night of Love." More, if it is possible. Hollywood must not forget the lovers of good music. We are thousands, and we prefer better operas than those musical comedies that the studios have given us so often. And, why not begin with the glorious "Carmen"? — M. F. Vazquez, 675 W. Flagler Street, Miami, Florida. Opera on the screen has long been a dream. We printed an article about it not long ago. Did you see the "Pagliacci" short with Henry Hidl? Scarlet Pimpernickel Why do the movie people give their pictures such senseless titles? Some days ago a friend asked me to see a picture called the Scarlet Pimpernickel. I laughed and told him it was the Scarlet Pimpernel, but what it was all about I did not know. So, having nothing else to do, we went and — lo and behold — it was a picture of the French Revolution, and a mighty fine picture at that ! With Leslie Howard, the story, the scenes and the acting were wonderful, but the house was empty. The picture was made in England but I doubt if Englishmen ever heard of this character. It seems a shame such a good picture should be so handicapped. Why not call it, "The Hero of the French Revolution"?—Harry Amsorge, 402— 85th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. You're too young, Harry, to remember the book called "The Scarlet Pimpernel." Your parents loved it, we're sure. That's why they kept the original title. Fightin1 Mad! Prepare to receive the glove upon your face, for I challenge you to a duel. You've called me a silly egotist for believing others as well as myself would enjoy a few technical articles upon how the movies are made. I am willing to abide by what my co-readers think, but until the time I know their minds I shall still continue to say a few short, concise articles upon the people behind the camera's range will be appreciated. How are you certain there are twenty readers to my one, who might enjoy the verbal glimpses behind the scenes? Have you asked them if they would like to know something about the making of a movie? I ask a fair chance to recover from the friendly slur I received in the footnote which followed my letter in the May issue. Readers, write in your opinion! Am I an egotist, or am I right? You pick ten pictures every month, selected by you as best. I find no fault with that. It's a wonderful guide, but you didn't get my point. Did you ever stop to think how much your readers would appreciate your advising them honestly on all the pictures you mention in your magazine? Don't stop at ten. After all, most people see far more than ten shows a month. Keep faith with your readers. Be their friend and guide. If the producers found that at last a magazine was advising the people some of their products were not so hot they (the producers) would soon stop sending out some of the tripe they're getting away with now. I enjoy a good picture, but I hate to be pulled into the theater and see something that might as well not have been made. Promising trailers, misleading advertisements, lure many into thinking they are going to see a good picture which, when they see the film, proves to be a dud. This practice should be stopped. You could help if you dared to print an honest opinion of all pictures. James Smock, 59 N. Audubon Place, Indianapolis, Indiana. Well, James, we can only say that the preponderance of letters that come in seem to indicate that few people want technical information. We have compromised by giving it in photographs. See our candid camera studies of "No More Ladies" in the July issue. About reviews — you're probably right. We can only plead a compromise again. Read the captions on the review page care f idly, this month, though, and you'll see "tripe" indicated if not specifically called by name. Huston Why do the studios spend so much money seeking ever for potential stars, when in their midst there are so many uncontracted actual stars? Men and women who have consistently proved their actual worth both to art and to the box office? From a random dozen or so of these, I choose for example Walter Huston. Huston has consistently shown himself to be more than an adequate actor; an actor who lends the author's realism to his portrayals. Yet the hiatus between Walter Huston's last picture and the present date is an appalling discrepancy on the part of the studios. Let us have more performances by polished and really talented actors and actresses. They who are deserving of the silver star tacked onto their dressingroom door! — J. Walter LeBon, 2029 Ursulines Avenue, New Orleans, La. Walter went back to New York to appear in some stage plays. He wanted to. But you'll probably be seeing him again. Musicals A great big hand to those who are responsible for the New Movie magazine. "Hollywood Day by Day" and your letter department are very interesting. I also like the fine pictures and articles about the stars. The Hollywood producers deserve a lot of praise for the wonderful variety of pictures they gave us this season. I hope the movie fans who think we are getting too many musical films will stop and think things over. I hope they won't forget that it was the talkies that put many good singers, dancers and chorus girls out of work, and I think if the producers continue to give these people work in musical pictures we ought to be able to take them. — Herman Benson, 7 Bernhard Place, Jamestown, N. Y. Another from Ireland First of all let me thank you for the great improvement in New Movie. I have been reading your magazine for a long time past and think that its enlargement 'was a great improvement. I see that in your magazine greater notice is being taken of British films. I agree that British films have been making good progress but I also say that American films have been making excellent progress. I have watched with absolute impartiality the development in "talkie" technique and actors in both countries since the coming of the "talkies" and I consider that British films have a long distance to go before they can equal American films. Britain progresses but America also progresses. Now let us consider the films which had a good reception in your country. The first film we shall consider is "The Private Life of Henry VIII." It was an excellent film but who and what made it a hit? Charles Laughton and Alexander Korda. Who made Charles Laughton? Admittedly he is a great actor but Hollywood made him a star. Also, Alexander Korda learned most of his technique in Hollywood, the home of great films. Then came "Nell Gwynn," "Evergreen," "The Iron Duke."' "Sanders of the River," with Paul Robeson, Leslie Banks and Nina Mae McKinney, promises to be another great British hit. But for these few British hits many great American triumphs could be named. What stars has Britain made? Very few, while America has made very many. Some of them came from Britain, but America has developed them. Over here in Ireland many people, whom I know, would not go to the cinema unless an American film is being shown. I myself prefer American films and I shall go on preferring them till Britain can produce films as good. Hoping that your publication continues to make progress. — T. Russell, 23 Ballycarry St., Belfast, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. What's all this about you. Irishmen being so argumentative? If we ever saw a fairer, friendlier letter than this we don't remember when. Did you see "The Informer"? Will the censors permit its showing in Ireland? A YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION TO NEW MOVIE IS ONLY $1.00 (U.S.A.) If you prefer the convenience of having NEW MOVIE sent directly to you, use the subscription coupon below. A year's subscription is only $1.00 in the United States; in Canada $1.60: foreign $2.00. NEW MOVIE MAGAZINE, 55 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. Enclosed please find $ for one year's subscription to NEW MOVIE. Please begin my subscription with the issue. Name Address City State 5AVAU FACE POWDER CLINGS SavaaeLyl r Here is something really new in face powder . . . something you are sure to welcome. A powder made on a very different kind of base, so fine, | so soft, this powder hugs the skin as though actually a part of it. Try it. See for yourself, if ever you knew a powder to stay on so long . . . and smooth all the while it stays. There's another thrill in it too! The fineness that lets Savage cling so endlessly, also makes the skin appear more truly poreless, smoother, more inviting to the eyes. And the thrill that there is in touching a Savage powdered skin could be told you only by someone else! There are four lovely shades: NATURAL (Flesh) BEIGE • RACHEL RACHEL (Extra Dark) MercoJizedWax *»Ui #t NorcolizeJ Keeps Skin Young Absorb blemishes and discolorations vising Mercolized Wax daily as directed. Invisible particles of aged skin are freed and all defects such as blackheads, tan, freckles and large pores disappear. Skin is then beautifully clear, velvety and so soft — face looks years younger. Mercolized Wax brings out your hidden beauty. At all leading druggists. Phelactine removes hairy growths — takes them out— easily, quickly and gently. Leaves the skin hair free. r— Powdered Saxolite——\ Reduces wrinkles and other age-signs. Sim I ply dissolve one ounce Saxolite in half-pint I witch hazel and use daily as face lotion. I B£ CAJt£fUL WITH VOUR WHITE KID SHO£Sf IRENJZ TfARCHANT I use the special ColorShine White Kid Cleaner (10c) that dissolves the dirt off instead of cutting it off with sharp abrasive. It preserves the original kid finish, polishes beautifully (or leave dull if you prefer), and "won't rub off". That is ColorShine White Kid Cleaner. For other white shoes, I use the special , ColorShine White Cloth V and Buckskin Cleaner (10c). Get both at Woolworth's and many other stores. For valuable information write Irene Marchant, c/o The Chieftain Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. No. 11 Special Cleaner for WHITE KID SHOES No. 12 Special Cleaner for Cloth, Buckskin Shoes \/X.< (pforY»nt , Each One Does its Own Job BETTER The New Movie Magazine, August, 1935 73