Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1924)

JANUARY 1924 tion, although he did souk good work in Carnival and The Bohemian Girl, was never in the Valentino Novarro category until Griffith came along. The great D. W. was on an English visit when he caught sight one evening of the clean-cut profile, the forehead and classic features of his dreams. He wanted to know the name of the young man, and learnt that it was [vor Novello tlie composer ..." Keep The Home Fires Burning," "'The Dream Boat," "And Her Mother Came Too . . ." you'll know them all. Anyway, that lovely profile of his was worth a three years contract to Ivor, and off he went to New York City to star for Griffith in The White Rose. The conquest of America followed. The fans simply loved him : he was feted, and made much of, and lavishly entertained, and Griffith himself says of him that " when he gets rid of a tendency to overact, he will be the best of all screen juveniles, for he photographs like a Greek nod." Pictures and P/chjreOuer Tony " — in spite of the brand new bride and considers linn to he the fines) actor m America. And Valentino himself has nothing hut generous and intelligent praise lor the young Spaniard who has taken his place m the Lasky studios. Moreno, he thinks, should undoubtedly have been chosen for " Ben 1 Eur," a part that woidd have suited in every detail his tire and Strength, his oliveskin and athletic build. Yes, Tony would have made a fine "Ben Hur." Rudy would have been intriguing in the role, if a little fragile. And Novarro would have swun^ through it with verve and the sheer abandon of youth. Interesting and different, these three impersonations. And all the three were seriously considered at one time or another for the part. Had Tony still been playing for Goldwyn there is every chance that he would have been chosen. But Tony is signed up with 21 And lastly, as firstly, there is Antonio Moreno. In My American Wife, and The Spanish Dancer, Tony has staged the comeback of the year. When Hollywood is tired of talking about Pola Negri and Charlie Chaplin, when The Covered Wagon as a topic is exhausted, and the newest marriages criticized and approved, the conversation, likely as not, will veer round to Tony Moreno, his brand-new bride and his brilliant work for Paramount. The lovely Pola calls him " My Left: Rudolph Valentino, who started the chorus, of O's. Paramount, and witn a long and varied screen career behind him — for he has worked through the " shops," from serials upwards — he gives promise of great things in the future. Watch him ! And watch Novarro too, at the Metro studios, and Novello, who is making The Rat in England with Gladys Cooper, before his next Griffith film. And watch for Valentino, who will be back in the spring under the banner of Ritz-Carlton Pictures .... And still another O is preparing to join the select band for Ramon is not the only Novarro with histrionic ambitions. Not by any mean*; ! There are five shiny-haired, soft-eyed brothers and two luscious sisters whose long, curling eyelashes keep Cupkl busy . And one and all they thirst to share the triumphs of brother Ramon. Wherefore be prepared to sec a new star rise over the horizon in the person of Mario Novarro — so like his famous brother that when he appeared with Constance Talmadge in The Dangerous Maid it was hard to believe it was not Ramon himself. Mario has no wish to bask in his brother's reflected glory. True, Ramon's influence gave him his first chance in Scaramouche, but everything he has done since has been accomplished through his own efforts. Only one concession would he make ; he adopted Ramon's screen name for his own. For Mario, aged 22, is the proud possessor of the name of Mariano Samanicgos. So Mariano Samanicgos became Mario Novarro, a star in the making, but rapidly attaining to first magnitude. Yes, the O's have it every time.