Photoplay (Jan - Jun 1924)

A Protest (?) Photoplay Magazine has received a number of letters during the past few weeks berating the editor because of an article published in the November issue, entitled "Who and What is Hope Hampton? Is she a star? Is she an actress? Has she any following? Does the public want her? Will the public pay to see her pictures? Why is she featured above Lew Cody, Nita Naldi and Conrad Nagel? " The similarity shown in these letters, not only in tone, but also in their wording and in some expressions, aroused the suspicion that they were inspired. With these letters of protest came a number from other readers of Photoplay, stating that they had been asked to protest, but saw no reason to do so. Enclosed in several of these letters were copies of a form letter sent apparently to hundreds of motion picture fans, requesting them to write to the editor of Photoplay and object to the article. It is because of these form letters that none of the letters of protest are published. Here is a copy of the form letter: 1 214 Laurel Avenue, Hollywood, California. My Dear Club Friend: Have you read the November issue of Photoplay? If you did, you noticed — first of all, no doubt — the venomous article about OUR Hope Hampton in which the magazine went out of its way to say unkind and unfair things about a star whose recent work deserves only the highest praise — Our Hope. We have received numerous letters from club members complaining about the unfairness of Photoplay, and their apparent prejudice — doubtless a personal one, and one that has no business entering a fan magazine from a professional standpoint. Nor from a personal standpoint, for that matter, since Hope Hampton is above reproach in every respect. Shirley and I both know Hope Hampton intimately. Hope is one of our dearest personal friends, and we have had every opportunity of seeing her as she is; seeing her as a gay, wideawake girl — alive with brilliancy, sincere in her admiration for true friends, and warm with the love of those who know her best and admire her most. Hope is everything that her truest friends think of her — she lives up to every expectation of a lady, a real actress, and a loyal friend. I'll admit that I am cross, and thoroughly disgusted with the unfairness of Photoplay. It seems to me that they are fully deserving of the hammer, and it is therefore up to us (as loyal friends of Hope Hampton, and at the same time as a supporting club) to write Mr. James R. Quirk, Editor of Photoplay, and protest most strenuously against the foul play he has so willingly dished out. Listen! I will mail my own personal check for $100.00 to the club member writing the best letter of protest to Photoplay, and telling WHY they think Photoplay has made one of the bad mistakes of its career in so unjustly publicising Hope Hampton. The best letter printed in Photoplay's Brickbats & Bouquets column will be judged the winner, and the writer will receive — from me — $100.00. There are no restrictions to this offer. You may write as long a letter to Photoplay as you wish, and do not lie afraid of offending the editor; he has already offended Hope's fans in a most willful manner. At the time of writing your letter, make a copy of it and send it to me. All letters will be considered, though the ones printed in the magazine (which, alone, will be proof of their general interest on this subject) will stand the best show. I will not judge the entries in this contest — that will be up to several others whom I am selecting at random. All I want is to see Photoplay Magazine receive the reprimand that is justly due it; to see Hope's friends stand up for her, as they should. u Brickbats Bouquets LETTERS FROM READERS The readers of Photoplay are invited to write this department — to register complaints or compliments— to tell just what they think of pictures and players. We suggest that you express your ideas as briefly as possible and refrain from severe personal criticism, remembering that the object of these columns is to exchange thoughts that may bring about better pictures and better acting. Be constructive. We may not agree with the sentiments expressed, but we'll publish them just the same! Letters should not exceed 200 words and should bear thewriler' s full name andaddress. You need not mention in your letter to Photoplay anything about the prize. The prize is not the purpose for the letter in the first place. You must write a letter that comes from the heart; tell Photoplay that you are a Hope Hampton fan — and mean it, when you say it. Hope would do as much for you. She's that kind of a friend. Address your letters to James R. Quirk, Editor, Photoplay Magazine, 221 West 57th Street, New York City. Sincerely, Walter I. Moses. Ruddy and Richard Youngstown, Ohio. Editor Photoplay Magazine. Dear Sir: "The Bright Shawl." I have just seen it and cannot refrain from saying that, second to "Blood and Sand." 1 think it is the finest play I have seen for a long time. I have always admired Richard Barthelmess, but my admiration has grown tenfold since seeing his latest play. Last month some one from Sweden said that Valentino's admirers range from ten to sixteen years of age. This is decidedly wrong, as my mother and my grandparents, who are far from being the age of either ten or sixteen, declare him to be the most graceful ami charming actor that they have seen. And they surely ought to know if anyone should, after living in the large city of Pittsburgh, and seeing some of the most celebrated actors on the stage, as V. 11. Southern. Ilenrv Irving and William Gillette. While in Pittsburgh last April, I saw Rodolph Valentino and his wile dance, later he was asked to speak, lie did so with such grace and charm and with such excellent and masterly English, while every one looked on with admiration. One could see he had many admirers; young men. young women, elderly men and elderly women, while the children of ten years old were few. It Ls only ignoramuses who have lived in the country all their lives and have never seen the really great actors and great plays, who do not appreciate Rodolph Valentino. We, who appreciate good acting, will more greatly appreciate the talents and efforts of this truly great actor. He will return and we will wait patiently for him. Adell Marie Baker. We Burst with Pride San Jacinto, Calif. Editor Photoplay Magazine. Dear Sir: I am glad to note that you are no longer Actionizing current films. This is a practice which is not at all commendable, and in most cases, is terribly disillusioning. For instance, one reads a short story in the magazine which is very interesting, and one is quite sure that the picture must be more so. On seeing the picture, one finds that the author of the Actionized movie has a great imagination, and has consequently not presented the picture as it truly is. On the other hand, some pictures that are wonderful are told in a very mediocre, and oftentimes, nonsensical manner. In some cases, this sort of story has kept me from seeing a picture which I have later found was well thought of. Another thing I am delighted to see, is the alphabetical arrangement of the latest films, with a concise and valuable criticism following. This saves one the trouble of saving the magazines, or making a note of the criticism. I have found several times that this has helped me, and this is indeed a good record for a thing that has been in the magazines so short a time. And still another thing. Your contest. It was one of the cleverest things that I ever read about, and I was one of your most valiant competitors. And your rotogravures — your pictures are beautiful, and so well printed. But you never have one of Glenn Hunter, or of Careth Hughes, or of George Hackathorne — that is I mean, good ones. Once you had one of Glenn Hunter, and it was horrible! That will sound rather contradictory to the first sentence, but I'll say again that it was a long time ago. So please take the hint and publish some very nice ones of each. I am exceedingly glad that you criticised "The Girl I Loved" so well. I consider it the most beautiful picture that I've ever seen, barring none. And "Driven"! I like it better than any other "mountaineer'' movie. It is the most characteristic picture that has ever been made in this locale. I sincerely hope that this letter will not hurt anyone's feelings, and that it will not arouse any criticism. It is written to congratulate this magazine on its many good qualities and to suggest something as you have seen. But there are times when one's command of words is limited. This is one of the times for me. But I am sure that I have gotten over what I wanted to, so my mission is a success. Ai ice Moore. A Refreshing Note Oak Park, 111. Editor Photopi w Magazine. Dear Sir: Considerable discussion concerning photoplays and photoplaycrs goes on in your columns these days: isn't it high time thai somebody's voice was raised in defence of Mary Miles Minter? The general impression seems to be that Miss Minter has. in some mysterious way, disgraced herself, that the public is tired of her. and that, therefore. "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" was her last picture. [ continued on page 16 ]