Photoplay (Jan - Jun 1943)

FOR YOURSELF Ann Young knew the $5 answer when she looked at Macdonald Carey $10.00 PRIZE A Woman's Inspiration COMING out of the theater from seeing '"Wake Island" my husband said, "'Honey, if only I had the ability to put into words the way I feel right now, every man and woman in these United States would have to buy Bonds so that there could never be another 'Wake Island.' " Then he turned to me and asked if I minded terribly if he put the money he had planned for my Christmas gift into Bonds. One look into his dear face, at its grim, glowing purpose and there was but one answer. A great thankfulness toward Paramount Pictures and our Navy for filming "Wake Island" filled my heart and I could not help but feel that wives everywhere were being asked the same question and were responding just as gallantly. Mrs. Leonard J. Lipton, New Haven. Conn. $5.00 PRIZE It Happened! NO ACTOR can blitzkrieg me! I'm too nonchalant and easygoing a movie fan to lose my head and heart to a movie star. Uh-uh. That's what I used to think B.C. (Before Carey). One look at Macdonald Carey's smooth, magnificent acting and — zip! — I lost my head. Another look at his classically handsome face with the devastatingly sincere grin and — pfft! — my heart was his. I was so fascinated by his dynamic performance in "Dr. Broadway" that my head weaved around like a snake watching a charmer. Guess I'm oldfashioned, but I like to see polished actors like my favorite make good on the screen. The skaters are nice — in the rink; the singers are nice — when they're singing; but actors alone belong in Hollywood where there's 6 some serious acting to be done. There must be a place in the stars for such brilliant talent as Macdonald Carey's. There should be meaty roles, because Mac's just the lad to bite into them! Better fasten the altitude goggles on this brilliant movie newcomer. And, elevator operators, don't bother to ask Macdonald Carey the customary, "Going up?" Just take one look at him and you'll know the answer! Ann Young, Berkeley, Calif. $1.00 PRIZE The Girls They Left Behind TEMPTATIONS galore beset the "girls they left behind" — and inasmuch as they have promised not to sit under the apple tree with anyone else, where can a girl go to forget she's lonely, worried and heartsick. Not to dances, parties, night clubs. Where else but the movies, where unescorted girls don't seem out of place; where recreation, tears and laughter erase for a brief spell the PHOTOPLAY-MOVIE MIRROR awards the ■following prizes each month -for the best letters submitted for publication: $10 first prize; $5 second prize; $1 each for every other letter published in full. Just write in what you think about stars or movies, in less than 200 words. Letters are judged on the basis of clarity and originality, and contributors are warned that plagiarism from previously published material will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Please do not submit letters of which copies have been made to send to other publications; this is poor sportsmanship and has resulted, in the past, in embarrassing situations for all concerned, as each letter is published in this department in good faith. Owing to the great volume of contributions received by this department, we regret that it is impossible for us to return unaccepted material. Accordingly we strongly recommend that all contributors retain a copy of any manuscript submitted to us. Address your letter to "Speak for Yourself," PHOTOPLAYMOVIE MIRROR, 205 East 42nd St., New York City, N. Y. choking feeling of loneliness; where pictures like "Wake Island" don't make those girls forget but remember proudly that "he's" in there, too, an American fighting as only an American can — and strengthening our resolve to keep faith with them as they have kept faith with humanity. Pictures like "Mrs. Miniver" to make them vow to hold their heads high — no whining, no martyrlike attitude in their letter to "him," just a cheery, "Keep 'em flying, kid!" Pictures like "Pride Of The Yankees" to help them remember what it is we're fighting for — the spirit of America, the spirit of a clean sport and an equally clean-cut plain American guy — Gehrig! Pictures like "Mrs. Miniver" to to keep them from forgetting how to laugh, 'cause we at home need moraleboosters, too! Mrs. Joseph Lieser, Chicago. 111. $1.00 PRIZE Take Note, Hollywood YOUNG America salutes the picture, "Eagle Squadron." Although several of our elders thought it a bit rough and too mechanized, we know that's the only way to win the war and hold on to the happiness and the way of life we and our children are entitled to. I personally had four dollars in my handbag to buy a red sweater I wanted badly. But after seeing the picture I was "fighting mad." I marched into the lobby of the theater and bought stamps with that money. A friend of mine who was in the Naval Reserves went home from seeing the picture and applied for immediate action. Hats off to "Eagle Squadron's" personnel and all those responsible for that fine picture. "Keep 'em coming!" Jane L. Smith, Lebanon, Pa. photoplay combiyied with movie mirror