Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1920)

76 C. D. RocKFORD, Liverpool, N. Y. — Frances Marion usually does adaptations; but there is no doubt she can do original things, too. I have heard that she is at work on a book. Her latest work is "Pollyanna;" she made a corking scenario of the Porter book. She and Mary Pickford are together again; great friends in real life, their respective talents aid and abet one another on the screen. She is married to Lieut. Thompson. Most of the pictures shown in foreign countries are American -made productions. We lead the world in film output, both as to quantity and quality. Questions and Answers (Continued) her new serial. Ruth Roland and Pearl White will probably get around to your letter in time. Cultivate a little of my best quality: patience. Hilda O. W., Canton. — Modern innovations have played the deuce with romantic novels. For instance, once when an author wrote pathetically that "she (the heroine) M. M. M., Detroit. — Now, yours is the kind of a letter that brightens me considerably. Mary Miles Minter's new address is the Lasky studios in Hollywood, where she is making her new pictures for Realart. Her sister is Margaret Shelby, who sometimes lends her dusky beauty to Mary's films. Mary Carr, Chicago. — I do not look like the free-verse Greenwich Village nut you drew in the upper-left-hand corner; neither do I look like the matinee idol with the deep-dimples in the upper right. The bald gentleman who looks like a newspaper reporter does not resemble me in the least. — Because, you see, I HAVE A CHIN. I don't care how you libel me; insult me if you will. But — / have a chin, and don't you forget it Otherwise, you're a mighty nice child, and I want to hear from you often. I don't think you're quakerish. Mahlon Hamilton, not Milton Sills, in "Daddy LongLegs." Both gentlemen use their own names as far as I know. Babe. — You are "just dying" to drop in and see me; and you are "simply wild" to know if Wallace Reid has one or two sons. I would absolutely pass away if you dropped in on me, and I am crazy to let you know that Wallace has one son, Bill. Realart Pictures' home office is at 460 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Wanda Hawley is married to J. Burton Hawley, L. A., automobile man ; address her Lasky studios, Hollywood. Elliott Dexter will be back soon, if he isn't by the time you read this. Photoplay Magaz^ine's Second Letter Contest DURING the years that you have been going to see motion pictures, you have been unconsciously weighing them, and sifting them, and gathering them together in a list of what you consider the best shadow plays you have ever seen. "This picture was better than a sermon," you confess at the close of some inspiring drama. "I never laughed so hard in my life as I did at that comedy. It made me feel like a youngster again" — or "it gave me a new lease on life" — or "it made me forget all about my troubles." is your verdict another time. "I think this picture is the most beautiful one I have ever seen," you say again. If you analyze the "becauses" back of your liking for these pictures, you will find that there was Cabiria The Birth of a Nation Stella Maris Manhattan Madness We Are French Les Miserables Perhaps you do not feel that these are the best motion pictures yet made. Perhaps you think that "Judith of Bethulia," or "The Vagabond," or "My Old Dutch" — or still others belong in the places of these pictures named. something in them that lifted you out of yourself, that took hold on you, that brought to the surface some sleeping impulse for good, that gave you the feeling that you had spent your time well. These pictures have become a part of you. Your memory has written them down and has been keeping them for you. They are not forgotten for the reason that they are expressions of sincere work, they are real, they are worth while. Those pictures which have been mediocre, dull, unworthy, have faded away into oblivion. They had nothing to give. They have not met the test. They are gone out. It is so with everything in life. How does this list of 12 pictures, printed below, compare with the list of 12 pictures which you consider the best ? The Miracle Man The Cup of Life Revelation The Spoilers Shoulder Arms Blind Husbands Photoplay Magazine wants you to write and tell your list of twelve best motion pictures. Photoplay wants you to tell why you think they are the best, for what reasons they are worth while, why they deserve to Jive. Margaret G., Chicago.— Gloria Swanson is Mrs. Herbert K. San — ^— — — — born. He is president of Equity Pictures Corporation, which releases Clara Kimball Young's films. Gloria will continue to act as a DeMille heroine. I have never said that Dick Barthelmess was married. Unless your sense of humor had gone astray, you never would have misread that paragraph. Gloria Swanson was born in America. For the BEST LETTER OF NOT OVER 500 WORDS on this subject, Photoplay will pay ^25. For the second best letter it will pay ^15. For the three next best letters, it will pay ^10 each. All Letters must be in by April i, 1^20 The Prize Letters "will be published. Watch for ANOTHER Announcement Next Month Winning letters in 'Photoplay's first letter contest will be published in the June issue. 0. P., Indi.'vna. — My dear girl, I am as moral as an upright piano. Ruth Roland is with her own company, making serials for Pathe. She works in the west. "The Adventures of Ruth" is her latest. William Duncan is still Vitagraphing; so, too, is Edith Johnson. Carol Halloway is not with them any more. RuBiA, Argentina. — What a very charming name, and more charming letter. Are there any more like you, down in Argentina? I am not at all sure that a blonde with gray eyes and freckles wouldn't mak>) a good screen subject. Are there many film studios where you reside? If so, have your father take you to one of them and try to get a test made. That's the only way to tell. Your small brother should write to Bill Hart at hie Hollywood studio. B. M., Buffalo. — I appreciate your asking my advice in a matter that means much to you. Until I know all the circumstances, however, I should hesitate to advise you one way or the other. There would seem to be no reason why you should not try your wings, your vocal wings, if you really have talent in this direction : but, on the other hand, if it would cause your family a great deal of sorrow, it would not be the thing to leave them for an uncertain career in New York. Don't be afraid of New York; it is hard only on those who fear it. I really wish you would write to me again. Meanwhile, don't get rusty on your dictation. Stenography's a handy thing to know y' know. Adelaine M. W. — Marie Walcamp is in Japan right now, which should provide good and sufficient reason why you have not heard from her. Besides, she is Mrs. Harland Tucker now. He's her leading man in would never hear those dear footsteps coming down the hall any more" one would drag out the old kerchief and cry thereinto. Now, however, one laughs and deduces that "he" wears rubber heels. See the ad. in any magazine, subway, or street-car. Your mother was right when she said you were at the inquisitive age; but please ask your mother for me when a girl stops being at the inquisitive age? Corinne Griffith is married to Webster Campbell, also a Vitagraph player. He was with his wife in "The Tower of Jewels." Bill's Fans, Brooklyn. — Good ol d Bill Farnum is as reliable among actors as Bull Durham is among tobaccos — although Bill may not fancy the abrupt comparison. So you want his picture in the rotogravure-art section. You shall have it as pronto as possible. His first picture was made some years ago, for Famous Players: "The Sign of the Cross." He also made "The Nigger"— although for another company— and others. His latest for Fox, is "Heart Strings." See him soon in "If I Were King." He is married, and has an adopted daughter, Olive. (Continued on page 122)