Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1932)

Now I have a different viewpoint and Photoplay's swell idea of publishing beauty hints of the stars, and articles by Hollywood experts, has changed my ideas. Instead of pining around, I can get to work and try to accomplish something. Sylvia has made me ashamed of myself for my laziness and the beauty hints are splendid. Instead of just gazing at the pictures and wishing I looked like that, I can g"et something from them. Estelle Bexxett, Kansas City, Mo. 'TAINT TRUE, MISS McMANUS I read an article recently, saying that Garbo was dead and this person we see now on the screen is her double. They say she did not play "Mata Hari" at all. Yet she seemed the same lovely lady of "Anna Christie.'' It just couldn't be so. But still the thought persists. Is the glamorous Garbo really dead? Is that why she is quitting? Please answer the cry of a troubled soul! Lola McManus, Portland, Ore. THE LUKEWARM LETTER I can take Garbo or leave her alone. Sometimes I see her pictures, sometimes I don't. I neither adore her, nor do I dislike her. I'm sure I have achieved something spectacular, by writing the first luke-warm letter about Garbo. Myra Kinkle, Oelwein, Iowa. HE MUST BE AN ARCHITECT Can it be that the well-known depression has hit the movie companies? I noticed the same foyer and staircase in three recent films — " Husband's Holiday, " " This Reckless Age " and "Working Girls." J. Arden, New York City. EH WOT, GARY, OLD BEAN? I view with alarm the new Gary Cooper who returns to Hollywood with all the earmarks of a "perfect gentleman." Only a monocle is lacking. And not only has our big he-man of the open spaces become an English tailor's perfect specimen, but he has gone John Barrymorish on us and is toting a monkey. The influence of countesses and elite society is so manifest, it breaks the heart of one who always looked to Gary to be the real, honestto-gosh cow-boy, frontiersman, trail blazer. Ruth Matthews, Berkeley, Calif. TRY BREATHING EXERCISES My heart isn't. So good anyway. But after reading. One of Sara Hamilton's articles. I'm so out of breath. From reading sentences. That aren't sentences. At all. Thai [almost. Suffer a real heart failure. Brought on from I'M athlessness. It 'sail right to be. Original and all. That. Hut honestly. Don't you think a course. In second grade grammar ruks. Would help? B] ^s Day Wilhelmus, Evansville, Ind. FOR SHAME, MR. BEERY I have always admired Wallace Beery and Will Rogers, but since they indulged in that disgusting burlesque of Greta Garbo I shall feel disgusted every time I see their faces on the screen. Garbo is in a class by herself. I admire her for not wanting to be exploited and to get up at openings and make a monkey of herself. Beth Leigh, Long Island, N. Y. I wish to protest violently. I have just read that Wally Beery did a burlesque of Garbo at the opening of "Grand Hotel." I do not like Garbo and never have, but to burlesque her in public is caddish. If Mr. Beery does not understand that it can never be explained to him. Miss S. Boswei.l, Baltimore, Md. THE "GRAND HOTEL" FIGHT I think "Grand Hotel" will seriously hurt Garbo's career. There must have been a conspiracy between the director, cameraman and editor. At times she is made to express an animation which is so extreme that it is most unnatural to her; she is photographed with inexcusable carelessness and her scenes are cut short so that no time is allowed for the audience to become acquainted with or understand her character. Joan Crawford need not have worried about being made "the goat." Garbo was that, but Crawford's work is splendid, though Gritsinskaya should have been the outstanding character, as she was in the play. Charles Sayre, Chicago, 111. Garbo, the great and the glamorous, outshines even herself in "Grand Hotel." Surrounded by stars of the first magnitude, the glorious Swedish thoroughbred outrides her supporting cast and wins the race in a walk. Louise Braun, New York City. Each charactei i m to be molded into the plot of "Grand Hotel," yet I is an individual. I thought that Joan Crawford should be given the victory wreath. She is truly remarkable. Bui SO were all the others. Jo Awi leveland, Ohio. fust want to send in my ravings about Joan Crawford in "Grand Hotel." She walked away with that picture. She's got Garbo beat a mile. Ina Blair, .Mo.>s Point, Miss. My highest praise for the fine picture " Grand Hotel.'' The whole cast was splendid, but tl e most outstanding and glorious of them all is Greta Garbo. My friends agree with me. Garbo is the supreme star. She is unforgettable as Grusinskaya. EVA Osiiokx, New York City. RAFTS OF PRAISE FOR GEORGE I discovered George Raft for myself, about a year ago when he was an extra on the screen. The first time I saw him I knew he would make good. He is more like Valentino in looks than any other actor. In a very short time lie ought to make Clark Gable look silly. S. K. Kresxf.e, Cleveland, Ohio. I went to "Dancers in the Dark" to see Miriam Hopkins, but came away remembering a fine, outstanding piece of work by a newcomer, George Raft. Louise Dell, San Diego, Calif. '•SCARFACE" Why does the censor board wish to ban a great picture that every American should see? I am referring to the greatest gangster picture ever made, "Scarface." George Champiox, Oakland, Calif. " Scarface " is not only a picture, it's modern history. Almost every incident is something I have read about, discussed with others and pondered over. Not until I saw "Scarface" did I really come to realize what is going on in gangland. Nancy Vercellixi, Torrington, Conn. I sincerely think the government owes Howard Hughes a vote of thanks instead of criticism, for "Scarface." It gives the public such a realistic portrayal of organized crime. Mrs. W. S. Bargetz, Los Angeles, Calif. I PLEASE Tl'RX TO PAGE 14 I "Why didn't Robert Young get the credit he deserved in 'The Wet Parade'?" lots of folks shouted this month. In fact, Robert came right next to George Raft in reader acclaim. Here you see Bob and Dorothy Jordan in a tense moment from the widely discussed picture. Good work, Bob ! A couple of cheers — Mary Brian is back and knocking off a sophisticated performance in "It's Tough To Be Famous," which was one of the favorite flickers. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., got plenty of pats on the back, but Mary's return was what caused themost excitement