The New Movie Magazine (Jan-Sep 1935)

> Carole Lombard Jean Harlow Ginger Rogers Claudette Colbert Joan Blondell If You Would Be Popular THE desire to be popular is universal. To be well spoken of, to be well liked, is natural and human. Those who deride the popularity they have failed to achieve, conceal their disappointment without conviction. Those who pretend indifference to adulation and popular approval, are not quite convincing. For popularity has a far reaching influence in our lives. It assures us of a well rounded, complete existence. It is an enemy of loneliness, a secret fear in all of us. It widens our horizons and broadens our perspective. It opens the door to opportunities that might not otherwise be ours. The failure to gain it presents a tragedy of youth that too often is carried over into middle age. The lack of popularity has relegated many young women to a drab position as onlookers at life's show window. They cringe at the callous term "wallflower," the object of no one's affections. They are missing the fun, the pleasure and excitement that is youth's heritage, and don't quite know what to do about it. They are bewildered and unhappy because young men pass them by, and other women discourage overtures of friendship. In their misery they appeal to the glamorous women of the stage and screen, in pathetic letters, hoping to receive a magic formula that will transform them overnight. I found these stars eager to discuss the topic. They haven't always been famous and celebrated. Many of them passed through an agonizing period of unpopularity and loneliness in their early youth that makes them sympathetic toward this very real problem to a large number of us. You see, beauty alone won't make you popular. Nor will glamour or social position. Quite a few of our most successful screen players are not nearly as popular in their private lives as they are with the public. Others, with no contract to add lustre to their names, have a host of friends. There's nothing mysterious about it. It is true enough that certain people possess a compelling quality that attracts. You might even say The New Movie Magazine, September, 193-5 By DOROTHY LUBOU they have an instinct for being popular. But if they lack other qualities to add depth and completeness to their personalities, they will fail to win popularity. EVEN for these forceful persons, popularity must be earned. If popularity is your objective, if you would be popular, you'll have to begin by being honest with yourself. You'll have to judge yourself frankly and without vanity so that you may benefit by the advice of these five prominent stars whom I consider to be among the most popular girls in the Hollywood film colony. I chose them as your guide not because of their undeniable beauty or their acting talents. I haven't gauged their popularity by their box office attraction or the size of their swimming pool or their fan mail. Five big stars give you five answers to every woman's question Their acquaintances and friends, their co-workers at the studios, their neighbors and their servants, they all belong behind the scenes. They are not impressed by press agents and the scope of the screen. They are the ones I polled for my popularity vote. JEAX HARLOW believes that you have only to follow a simple phrase if you would be popular. Jean says, "BE FRIENDLY." Her analytical mind weighs each word very carefully. "Men don't want women to be sofa ornaments. Xor do they like girls to constantly flaunt their 'sex.' They value, above even-thing, companionability. They want to be comfortable and relaxed and at ease in her presence. There is -no higher compliment a modern male can pay a woman than to say a girl is 'regular.' It's his way of saying she is grand company and a lot of fun and a real pal. "A woman who doesn't build a barrier of sex on the tennis court, over the bridge table, who isn't male-conscious as soon as a man enters her presence, is making definite strides in holding his interest. "Friendship is an important relationship to me. You can be friends with men, if you know how to be a friend. You must really like people and communicate that liking to them. A too rigid formality of manner makes for self-consciousness. We are all slightly shy in the presence of strangers. Too much reserve retards friendship. "A woman who is warm and friendly, who makes us feel comfortable in her presence, will find not only read}' friendships but — Romance! Men succumb to the radiance of a woman who is unaffected, real, human. They are ill at ease and wary with women who are afraid to unbend, who adopt a superior air, as so many do, to hide their social timidity. '"Every girl should learn the sports and games favored in her set. They keep your friendships stimulating and interesting. They make you a welcome addition to any gathering. Parties mean new contacts, new friends. (Please turn to page 47) ■27,