Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1931)

The Audience Speaks Its Mind [ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 ] A New "Sheik"? A lot of discussion seems to be going on concerning the making of a talkie version of Valentino's famous "The Sheik." As candidates for the n'<le, my choice rests between Ricardo Cortez and Clark Gable. V. Lamar Gresham, Crowley, La. What shadow of a doubt can there be of Clark Gable's suitability for the role in ''The Sheik" that was played by Rudolph Valentino in the silent picture? Rose Berliner, New York City, N. V. I think Clark Gable would be wonderful as The Sheik. J. Masterpole, Syracuse, N. Y. Table Chit-Chat The movies are a lifesaver in many ways. If you should be at a dinner party and your noble attempts to discuss physiology, sociology or similar subjects meet with ennui, you can invariably awaken your dinner partner to vivid animation with the simple question, "Who is your favorite movie star? " This discussion, believe it or not, is America's greatest indoor sport. Mary A. Dor an, Miami, Arizona Teachers Say: Three years ago I began teaching school. Just out of Normal training, I thought I knew it all in regard to handling children. I soon found out differently. After seeing "Skippy" the other night, I have a better understanding of the Sookys and Skippys of our world. The moving pictures, I'm sure, have made hundreds of other teachers more sympathetic in dealing with children. H. COLEN COWELL, Pennsboro, W. Va. How much the movies do help in school! The day after the children's matinee showing of a picture such as " Cimarron" at least fifteen minutes of the history class is devoted to an eager discussion of the historical features and the story of the picture. Films of this sort make teaching easier. Laurabell Schutt, Champaign, 111. Constance Bennett Hollywood's idea of a joke — paying Constance Bennett $30,000 a week and then wasting her on such a cheap story as "Born to Love." It was cruel to put her in such a long, drawnout picture, making her suffer every inch of the film. A lesser actress than Bennett would surely have fallen down on that. Bennett is as great as Garbo or Dietrich — if she were given better stories, she could be even greater. Eleanor Stewart, Braintree, Mass. Let's see more of Connie Bennett. In my opinion she is the best actress in the movies, today. With that rich, cultured voice she out-acts any Garbo, Dietrich or Harding. Joan Maley, St. Louis, Mo. u Here and There What has happened to Alice White? Given a chance, she could be a real star. Frances Thompson, Montgomery, Ala. Ronald Colman's pictures are the most sparkling and cleanest produced, the kind you could invite the minister and his wife to. Dixie Hunter, River Edge, N. J. Do let us have Dennis King back again. He has a charming speaking voice, glamour and everything. As a pleasant change from sophistication, divorce themes, gangster and war films, give us Seymour rates satin as one of the best formal fabrics. This charming black satin frock of Lilyan Tashman's then rates high in fashion value. It has a flattering silhouette — and the scarf arrangement at the neckline is certainly different Dennis King in pictures with romance and beauty. D. I. Sparkes, Verdun, Canada Please give us more pictures like "Seed." This is the best and most realistic picture I have seen this year. Lois Wilson was wonderful. Mrs. Boren, Dayton, Ohio Hardie Albright was splendid in "Young Sinners." I expect to see him a very brilliant star soon. Janice Allen, Opelousas, La. Buddy Rogers' performance in "The Lawyer's Secret" proves that the answer to Photoplay's recent article about him, "Am I an Actor?" is — yes! E. Rossmann, Milwaukee, Wis. Evelyn Brent is a charming actress. She is beautiful, too, and has the most classic profile on the screen. Winifred Gibbs, Thornton Heath, Surrey, England We are glad to see Ricardo Cortez back where he belongs, among the stars. Helena Bond, Tacoma, Wash. Make-Believe Several evenings each week I am a beautiful, glamorous young woman. I wear gorgeous clothes, have a smart, becoming coiffure, and a low-pitched, cultured voice. In reality I am an ordinary young woman in ordinary circumstances. But, by squeezing out the necessary half dollars I spend several hours at a movie, losing myself in the wonderful world of imagination. Miss E. White, Oakland, Calif. Newsreels Reading about news events is merely reading, but the newsreel actually takes you to the scene of the important happening. Joan W. Parks, Miami, Fla. Talkie Distractions I want to protest the undercurrent of music throughout talking scenes. How we strain our ears to hear what is being said! Sometimes lines that should be heard in order to understand the plot are drowned out. A. L. Btrton, Rock Island, 111. Joan Crawford I think Joan Crawford is the best actress on the screen. She has more expression in those tragic eyes than most people have in their whole face. Joy Miller, Wenatchee, Wash. Chiding Norma Connie Bennett and Lil Tashman are the best dressed women of the screen, in my opinion. Jean Harlow and Norma Shearer vie for honors as the best z»!dressed. Mrs. E. Campbell, Troy, Ohio [ please turn to page 117 ]