Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1953)

Street, New York 17, Neiv York. Much as we would like to, we cannot promise to publish, return or reply to all letters SOAP box: I wish to pooh-pooh at having Gene Kelly star in pictures and play love scenes with Debbie Reynolds and Pier Angeli. If you ask me, I think he is old enough to be their father. What are they trying to do — make him young again? If this is published, as it probably won’t be, I would like my name withheld. Anonymous I enjoy photoplay very much. Most of all, I like the stories about young stars like Jane Powell and Jeanne Crain, raising families. But I would like to sound off a little . . . Hollywood seems to have lost its sense of values. They put sex above all else. Spiritual goodness and acting ability don’t mean anything anymore. Jeanne Crain should stay the way she is; our children copy movie stars . . . Another thing — Must Hollywood pick . . . at every marriage? I’m all for Esther Williams! . . . Please leave them alone. . . . Mrs. Joan Lingg Connersville, Indiana . . . the actors and actresses in Hollywood, whenever they go on personal appearances . . . always go to large cities. They never go to smaller ones. The smaller cities like them, too. They would have just as large audiences . . . How about it? ... Have a heart, Hollywood. . . . Donah Gail Lee Ashtabula, Ohio As nice as your column on casts of pictures is, I wish the theatres would print programs which would carry a list of the cast of each of its feature pictures. By the time a “current” film reaches our theatre . . . I’ve passed my PHOTOPLAY on to someone else. I’d hate to have to try to make sense out of a cut-up magazine, so I don’t cut mine up, even to keep casts. Can photoplay convince theatre managers how nice such a service would be? It would be worth, to me, a small fee. My favorite music program. The Grand Ole Opry . . . sells each week’s program ... I’d like one when I go to the movies, too. Mrs. Cloyce Cox Fullerton, Maryland ... I think it’s simply disgusting the way Anne Baxter has changed. If she thinks smoking cigars in public and wearing low-cut gowns and bleaching her hair will make people pay more attention to her, she can be sure it will be the wrong kind of attention. All I can say to Anne is why not be your old self again, the person whom we all admired as a fine actress and respected . . . before it’s too late. Ruth E. Briener Brooklyn, New York This is an open letter to the powers that be at M-G-M: . . . Last night I hurriedly washed the supper dishes and rushed to the seven o’clock performance of “Because You’re Mine” — with my husband — to hear Mario Lanza sing. We went to the movie just a tired middle-aged couple — weary with cares . . . trying to meet our bills. We came away young and refreshed— relaxed . . . We left our cares in the theatre as we humbly liowed our heads while Mario sang “The Lord's Prayer.” . . . the privilege of listening to the inspired talent of a God-given voice like that, we too have partaken of the good things of life. Please do patch up your differences with Mario and let him make “The Student Prince.” . . . Please don’t keep such music from lifting our hearts and quieting our fears in a world so full of bitterness and confusion. Sue Lowery New Bern, North Carolina On behalf of all Susan Hayward fans, we would like to congratulate Susan on winning photoplay’s Gold Medal Award . . . After seeing her many superb performances in such films as “With a Song in My Heart,” “Snows of Kilimanjaro,” “The Lusty Men” and “Rawhide,” we cannot think of another star who so well deserves such an award. We would like to make a prediction: Next year when Academy Award time comes around, Susan is sure to be mentioned for her acting in “The President’s Lady,” a picture which we think will be great. Drew Speirs, Cecil Batsford Verdun, Quebec I have just seen “The Happy Time” and I think the entire cast was tremendous. But to me, the most outstanding one of all was Bobby Driscoll. I think he was wonderful. Would you please be good enough to print a picture of him in the magazine? Rosalie Sperrazzo Los Angeles, California Bobby Driscoll, Charles Boyer for a happy time casting: I do not agree with Mrs. Gloria Sikes of Brooklyn (February photoplay) as to Howard Keel being the best star for the role of Rhett Butler in the musical version of “Gone With the Wind.” I also think Mr. Keel has a beautiful voice and is a very handsome man, but for my part, Gordon MacRae is the best suited. . . . He has the voice, acting talent and looks. Elizabeth Bailey * Ravenswood, West Virginia . . . Rock Hudson and Piper Laurie in a picture together. She’s beautiful and they would make a perfect team. Joyce Davis St: Louis, Missouri U-l thinks so too! You’ll he seeing them together soon in ^'Golden Blade.” — Ed. Co-stars Piper and Rock: Request granted May I suggest that M-G-M do a dramatic black and white production of “Romeo and Juliet”? I think that Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor would be superb in the leading roles, with James Mason as Tybalt. Franklin Evans New York, New York Every studio in Hollywood is constantly trying to put out a picture that will win the hearts of the public . . . Now’s the chance . . . a musical teaming Doris Day and Frankie Laine. . . . Monica Reitman Milwaukee, Wisconsin Why in the world hasn’t someone thought of starring Rita Hayworth and Charlton Heston together? They would make a magnificent team. They would be wonderful in a wild rugged movie, something similar to “Westward, the Women” or “The Savage.” . . .Please let him kiss the girl at the end . . . Pat, Susana Nancy and Lola Lexington, Tennessee Here’s a Canadian moviegoer who thinks p Tab Hunter is nothing short of terrific. This guy rates one of the most attractive girls in [Continued on page 20)