Photoplay (Apr - Sep 1918)

[00 * f. Photoplay Magazine Stars of the Screen and Their Stars in the Sky By Ellen Woods Nativity of Richard Barthelmess, Born May 8th. HERE we have a twice-born actor, as his nativity indicates that this rebirth is the carma of the past birth, which will bring him quite a deal of criticism and some scandal and if he does not deserve it now, he is supposed not to have gotten his just dues until this life. This man can playalmost any part; but he would be better in two types of characters, like a lawyer and a refined crook. He is lovable, good natured when he has his own way, and is very patient and persevering to accomplish his ends. He has excellent judgment on everything but socialism and religion. He should never argue about either. He will be a good husband and be very happy in marriage. He should stay in the country of his birth, as there is danger of being held in bondage if he would even step over the border of Mexico or Canada. He should use caution when on water, especially the Great Lakes. This man has a strong constitution, but must not take intoxicating drink or it will melt the body, like fire to ice. In 192 1 he will take many journeys, one of which will bring him quite a fortune, but the best good financial luck will come to him in 1927 and will last until 1950. He should never invest money in hotels or summer resorts but should always be on salary. Nativity of Miss Dorothy Gish, Born March nth. AT the hour of this young lady's birth, the Zodiacal sign Scorpio was rising, and with Mars the lord thereof located in the humane sign Aquarius. She has all of her planets located in signs of human form, except Pices and Scorpio, and both of these are philanthropic. Humane signs are supposed to give a nature that is sympathetic, and gentle, forgiving the worst wrongs. From my judgment of this nativity, I would say that Miss Gish would not make a good vampire, nor could she play other than where she could fight for honor and justice for others. Justice and equality is her motto. She would beggar herself for others, if she came across distress. She has great love and even veneration for little children. Miss Gish believes in freedom of speech, actions, and religions. She would be an excellent Judge of Courts. Miss Dorothy has many lriends, in fact I do not think she has anything but friends. Her husband will hold some very high position on an advisory board, and he will be as gentle and humane as herself. She will make a long journey by water every 18 years, and will be traveling by land once in every two years all during her life. Therefore, I would not advise her to invest much monev in a home or furnishing, other than could be put in a trunk. FROM THE AUDIENCE Editor Photoplay, Chicago, III. Dear Sir: From Boone, Iowa, comes the plaintive wail that certain screen celebrities, viz., Farnum, Hart, Ray, Fairbanks, etc., are no longer seen there in their later triumphs. In your July number of Photoplay, you call the attention of the "Motion Picture Producer" to this state of affairs; is the fault perhaps with the local managers? We are permitted to see each month, not only the screen celebrities, but we see them in their FIRST RUN features and we hail from a town much smaller than Boone (Algona has about 3,500). Our manager. N. C. Rice, has studied the demands of the people as few other moving picture managers have done; he has been satisfied only with the best and insisted that producers and picture agencies live up to their agreements; he has been a tireless advertiser, both newspaper and bill-board and direct mail; he has constantly improved his place of amusement just as any up-to-date business is forced to in these days of competition; he has secured at great expense, the services of an exceptional pianist, who plays every inch of the films in a masterly way; in short, he has put energy and push into his business and it has won out. In these days of rising costs, it is as unjust to blame the producers for raising the price of their product as to blame the wholesaler for the high cost of merchandise. The local manager as well as the retailer, must raise the price of his goods accordingly. And if the product is worth the money, people will pay for it. Again, it is "up to the local manager;" to get the best, advertise it as such, present it in a pleasing manner with appropriate music and the patrons will pay the price. These are my personal views on the subject ; let's hear from others. Respectfully, T. H. Chrischilles. Algona, Iowa. % ^ ^ % The Editor, Photoplay Magazine, Chicago, U. S. A. Dear Sirs: Some months ago I was bold enough to send you a few lines for your "Why do they do it" page but up to the present have not seen them in print. Perhaps the effort was not worthy of publication or perhaps coming from such an insignificant place as Brisbane it was at once relegated to the W. P. B. Well, Mr. Editor, I want to tell you that Brisbane is not such a village as some people imagine (even in Australia). The population of the city is 173.000 and the city proper has half a dozen continuous picture shows. (We call them "pictures" over here, not "movies.") In the suburbs most of the shows are in the open air and they are legion. In Brisbane you can sit and look at pictures for nine months in the year with only the stars for a roof. Don't think from that, that Brisbane is a "Hades" of a place. We are not within the tropics although perhaps we may have a few warm days during the summer. The climate taken all round may be described as delightful. In Brisbane we have the finest theatre in the commonwealth (the Tivoli). .... "Bill" Hart is a great favorite here and you can always depend on a full house day and night when he appears. As a matter of fact I don't think there is ever empty houses no matter who is starring. The people in this place I'll gamble are as enthusiastic over pictures as in any other place you can mention. I look forward with pleasure to its coming each month. Of course I've read the others but after consideration I've decided to stick to "Photoplay." Apologizing if I have taken too much time. I am, yours faithfully, Dick Butler. Sussex St., Sth. Brisbane. Australia.