Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1959)

p V. / J / y READERS INC. TT continued Two “Imitations” I understand Lana Turner's next picture is to he one called “Imitation of Life.” Am I right in thinking this movie was made once before, quite a few years ago? If so, who played the leading role? Esther Lamkin Baltimore, Md. Yes, it was made once before in 1935 and the star was Claudette Colbert. — Ed. Magnificent Monster I’ve just finished reading a letter in Readers Inc. by a fellow horror movie fan. 1 share the writer’s enthusiasm for film chillers. But — I’d cast my vote for Christopher Lee as the best Dracula. His performance in “The Horror of Dracula” was the coolest. He was the most magnificent monster I've ever seen. The entire movie was excellent hut it was Mr. Lee’s chilling portrayal that won my admiration. In watching Christopher Lee, I got the feeling that Count Dracula . . was in life a most wonderful man, soldier, statesman and alchemist. He had a mighty brain, a learning beyond compare and a heart that knew no fear and no remorse. With this one, all the forces of nature that are occult and deep and strong must have worked together in some wondrous way.” And that’s how Dracula is described in the novel by Bram Stoker. Jo Anne Jensen v Milwaukee, Wis. Claudette’ s old role is Lana’s new one. A Puzzle Solved I'm puzzled! Accompanying your November article about Dean Stockwell was a picture of a sports car wreck. I presume this photo to be that of Stockwell’s accident. Yet, is it? If so, then why does paragraph three on page eighty-one clearly state, . . Dean (Stockwell! opened the side door of the car and got out. He wasn't hurt. He saw that his car was only slightly damaged.” Slightly damaged? If that's supposed to be a picture of a slightly damaged automobile, then I'd most certainly be reluctant to see your version of a badly damaged one. Also, if Stockwell opened the side door and got out, then what’s he doing on the ground beside the car? Please clarify this puzzling situation. Puzzled Crystal Springs, Miss. As the caption indicated, the picture was of Jimmy Deans accident, not Dean Stockwell's. Letter from an Ex-Moviegoer Judging from the practically empty movie theaters every night in the week, coupled with the fact that several of the more prominent neighborhood theaters in this town (and other towns, I'm told) have either closed down completely or open on weekends only, the movie-going public, I presume, is not what it used to be. What's the reason? Television, you say? Television is the reason for the once avid movie fans staying at home? Well, if television has hurt the movie industry, it is because the movie industry literally forced us to turn to TV for entertainment, because the movies certainly are not entertaining— as they should be and once were. What with the trash that is being shown on movie screens today, is it any wonder that TV programs such as “Father Knows Best,” "Perry Mason,” “The Danny Thomas Show.” etc., are like a breath of fresh air? Practically every movie shown currently in local theaters deals with sex, dope addiction and such nonsensical tales of the supernatural as “I Was a Teenage Frankenstein,” “I Was a Teenage Monster” and “I Was a Teenage Werewolf.” With all-time favorites such as “Now, Voyager,” "Boy’s Town” and “The Mortal Storm” now being shown on television, why should we go to the movies to see the garbage that is being shown there? If these movies had been released again to the theaters, rather than bein$sold to TV, they would have been enjoyed again as they were when first released. Does the movie industry really think the minds of human beings have become so distorted as to enjoy the disgusting, stupid and degrading movies that llolly-^ wood is mass-producing? If that is what the world is coming to then I, too, am content to hibernate in front of the television set. When they can show us movies like the old favorites mentioned above, then they need have no fear of competition from television. An Ex-Moviegoer New Orleans, La. Housewife’s Delight I have found a way to lighten my routine day as a housewife. I just suppose that: My private butler is Robert Mitchum Milkman — Elvis Presley Breadman — John Ericson Egg man — Robert Wagner Grocer — Clint Walker Delivery boys — Bill Campbell, Perry Lopez Insurance man — Rock Hudson Gas man — Tony Curtis Traveling salesman Kirk Douglas TV repairman — Dale Robertson Plumber — Robert Horton Electrician — George Nader House painter — Hugh O’Brian Paper boy — Dennis Hopper Next-door neighbors — James Garner, Jack Kelly Landlord — Tab Hunter Now I ask you — what more could a housewife want? €| Mrs. Sandy Mayer Baltimore, Md. Berserk over Kirk 1 have a teenage sister who is mad about Kirk Douglas! I don't understand why, but she is. She has been to all his movies and sometimes she takes me along. Wow!! She sure acts silly! Well, anyway, I thought il you would put an uncolored close-up photograph of him in your next magazine, I would give it to her for her birthday. Please do this for me. Nancy Golden, Colo. Kirk’s picture for a fan’s birthday. Tracy’s Back I’ve often wondered what had happened to actor Spencer Tracy. He's been a favorite ol mine for a long time. Rudolph Probst South Bend, Ind. Nothing's happened to Spence — bad, that is. He's simply relaxing a little and being more selective about movie roles. You’ll want to see him in the W arner Bros. film. “ The Old Man and the Sea,” about which many of the critics have said: ‘‘One of the great films of our generation.” Also watch for him in Columbia’ s film adaptation of another novel, ‘'The Last Hurrah.” — En. Necessary to Be a Nut? All of those “now-it-can-be-told” stories make me wonder what kind of people these so-called “idols” are. Are they expecting more success by telling these “secret” details of their lives? They certainly don’t get my vote of confidence. Mae Dorroth Wisconsin Address your letters to Readers Inc., Photoplay, 205 E. 42nd Street, New York 17, New York, tt e regret that we are unable to return or reply to any letters not published in this column. If you want to start a fan club or write to lacorite stars, address them at their studios. — Ed. 18