Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1927)

The Real Critics, the Fans, Give Their Views \# V Brickbats and Bouquets LETTERS from PHOTOPLAY READERS Three prizes are given every month for the best letters -^ $25,$! O and $5 The Monthly Barometer ELINOR GLYN'S selection of players who have "IT" started the liveliest discussion of the month. The opinions pro and con are equally divided — and equally violent. Following this interest in "IT," Clara Bow is the star who is riding on the crest of the wave. Greta Garbo is the most violent storm center; both brickbats and bouquets are aimed at her Scandinavian head. Most of Clara's letters are bunches of roses. Lois Wilson's "revolt" has brought forth many brickbats and a sprinkling of bouquets. "Beau Geste," "What Price Glory," "The Fire Brigade," and "The Big Parade " still remain the most popular pictures. In point of lasting popularity, "The Merry Widow" is the leader. John Gilbert, Ronald Colman and Richard Dix are still the most popular masculine stars, with Harry Langdon giving the comics a run for their money. "The Lady in Ermine" and "Altars of Desire" gathered the most brickbats. Because of the many letters received asking for their return, Casts of Current Photoplays will be printed in this and future issues of Photoplay. Now what have you to say? When you write your Brickbats and Bouquets, make them brief and make them snappy. $25.00 Letter Ludlow, Ky. Think of all the national and universal heroes and heroines about whom the public hears and reads — the Amundsens, the Prince of Wales, the Mussolinis, the Mayos, the Mary Gardens, the Harold Bell Wrights, the Mary Roberts Rineharts, the Dempseys and Tunneys. What is it about these illustrious beings that most interests their admirers? Why, what they DO. Consider the screen idols. Of course the public is concerned about their profession, and how they do it, but it is what the movie people ARE that gives the fans the biggest thrill. We actually see these favorites of ours on the screen, in such a fashion that we become 10 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 must not exceed 200 words and should bear the writer's full name and address. Anonymous letters go to the waste basket immediately. acquainted with their faces, their forms, their mannerisms, their affectations, their very personalities. Through the movie magazines we hunt frantically for news and more news of this and that player. How does she wear her hair, and why? Is this his fifth wife, and why? Was she born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, of Italian descent, at three o'clock on a Thursday morning in September, and why? Is it true that he drinks four cups of coffee every morning for breakfast, and why? We award these people the common attributes of men and women, yet, strange to say, we make no allowances for the human weaknesses and vices. Odd, eh? All these newspaper celebrities we idolize through the press, with scarcely a true knowledge of even their features, for heavens knows the pictures in the dailies and Sunday supplements are anything but fortunate — we do not care what they are, just so long as they continue to do. We allow them the privilege of living their private and active lives apart. Now, I ask you, is that nice? In this day and age when we actually boast about our broad-mindedness, when we call the prude and the bigot by all sorts of uncomplimentary names, why must we deny the citizens of Hollywood the same rights of living that are so generously allotted other kinds of artists in various other kinds of professions? Mrs. Bernice Jackson-. $10.00 Letter Dallas, Texas. Sometimes a magazine can do more than amuse — and although we all enjoy Photoplay at our house, we feel that its function is more than that of mere news and entertainment. My grandmother was very ill, although she was not suffering, and we were told that her strength could only last for a few weeks. She took an interest in nothing and the doctor told us that this was largely responsible for her condition. One day, I happened to read aloud to her a few paragraphs from Photoplay. I noticed that she seemed really interested for the first time in months, and I read almost every word of the issue to her. The cheery, colorful spirit of Photoplay seemed to buoy her up and that day marked the beginning of her improvement. We can hardly say that Photoplay cured Grandmother, but without a doubt it was the instigator of her new lease on life. I am afraid that many will sneer at this letter, but I know that it is true and for that reason Photoplay means more to me than any ordinary magazine. R. P. Miller. s.">.00 Letter Milford, Iowa. A friend, seeing me reading the last Photoplay, asked me why I wasted my time reading about scandals and trash. Asking her if she ever read the magazine, she replied: "No, I see enough about the scandals of these people in the newspapers." "And," I replied, "jump at conclusions and cheat yourself out of a great deal ofJ entertainment, inspiration and knowledge."1 And then to answer her question, I added [continued on page 15 ]