Picturegoer (Jan-Apr 1935)

PICTUREGOER Weekly March 2, 1935 ^ou con toste the fruit Rowntree's Fruit Flavours taste a^ fruit tastes when it is picked in the garden. When Rowntrees say ' Blackcurrant ' it is blackcurrant — with the blackcurrant virtue of soothing your throat. Rowntrees bring their delicious real fruit flavours to you in three delicious consistencies in ROWNTREES CLEAR GUMS {Hard) JUICY-FRUITS (Sofi) FRUIT PASTILLES ( Medium ) SOLD LOOSE, 6d. A QUARTER, AND IN PACKETS TO SUIT ALL POCKETS. ASSORTED PACKETS, 3d. and 6d. Rowntrees offer these special packets to introduce you to all three consistencies in a wide range of real-fruit flavours. Buy one to-day. 0ar. Af. What Do You Think? Letters from our Readers Stars Are Doomed Overshadowed by the Director Frank Capra ^ AM convinced that the day of the star is over. Once upon a time the public saw . a film and remembered it afterwards by the star or stars who acted in it, whilst the man who directed it w£is unknown. In recent years, however, such names as Lubitsch, Clair, Sternberg, Pabst and Capra have become known to the public. Stars, having lost a lot of their glamour, are seen now as instruments of the skilled director for one end, namely the portrayal of the film itself. As an instance, take the film The Merry Widow. The name of Ernst Lubitsch will be connected with it long after those of Chevalier and MacDonald are forgotten. I am not blind to the fact that many films to-day are "boxoffice" because of stellar-pull, but the star is rapidly being overshadowed by the director. This is the transition period. I predict that in a few years' time the director of a film will be all-important to the public, whilst those who act in it will be immaterial. — Douglas G. Mailland, 29a Meldon Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 6, who wins the first prize of £i is. od. Should Grade Get Her Man ? I have noticed in nearly all Gracie Fields' pictures that she almost invariably loses the man she loves. Surely this seems awfully unnatural with such a heroine as Gracie. .\nd consequently her films nearly always end on a sad note. Let's have a more cheerful, luckier Gracie in the future \—{Miss) D. Ridgwell. 512 Fairfax Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea. British Films in Canada Here are some of the questions that are being asked over here : Why can't the British film companies stand on their own ground ? Why must they use an American trademark to sell their product,? Will British production never be known under its own name? We wonder why a British company must subordinate itself to the American one when it wants to make a name for itself throughout the world. Recently, The Scarlet Pimpernel was advertised here as a United Artists' production, which, of course, it is not. No word is mentioned of Ix>ndon Films, and as long as this is allowed to continue, London Films and other British companies will be unknovs'n in Canada. To call a film a United Artists' release is another thing, but we feel that the British companies are very slow in boosting their product under their own trademark. — G. Underwood, 4961 Qtteen Mary Road, Montreal, Canada. Stage and Screen I was very interested to read Mr. Malcolm D. Phillips' candid comments on Mr. St. John Ervine, and only hope that the next time Mr. Ervine is tempted to express his views, he will do so with a greater knowledge of the subject. It would be as well to remind him that the powers that be have succeeded in convincing such outstanding artistes as Diana Wynyard, Leslie Banks, and Elizabeth Bergner, that their appearance in one good film may do more to enhance their reputations than any amount of stage successes. Few people, outside of London, knew anything of Diana Wynyard until she played in Cavalcade. The present-day films have the cream of professional talent at their disppsal for the ultimate entertainment of the masses, and as these people show their ready appreciation at the box ofi6ce, I think we can safely ask Mr. Ervine to draw his own conclusions. — H. Titmas, 72 Marlborough Road, South Woodford, Essex. Just For a Change . For the sake of novelty I would like : — Some visiting star to say our policemen were a pain in the neck. A newly divorced star to say that her late hubby was the worst skunk that ever infested the film colony. Some star who is going to Hollywood to pass the remark that he or she is going for the money. The improvement-to-art gag is badly worn. I*rovincial newspaper film reports to say when a film is bad and not have all films on one standard — excellent. There are a few bad ones. Lupe and Johnny to keep every tenth quarrel a secret. Newspap>ers not to mention Chaplin and Mary Pickford for a time. W. C. Fields not to believe he is a comedy genius, for he doesn't look a bit like Napoleon. — Edith Race, 46 Southey Crescent, Sheffield, 5, who wins the second prize of los. 6d, Warner s Take a Bow Let me mention how I appreciate the novel way in which Warner Bros. — First Nation^d Productions introduce their casts. They give the names of the players, and also their faces, which is indeed a great help to p>eo[rfe who are not familiar with the lesser stars. I suggest that other studios adopt this method. — (Miss) A. Alton, "Stanhope House," Rock Road, Peterborough, Northants. Kiepura and Grace Moore The increasing vogue among film companies 'f exchanging or loaning popular stars has conjured in my mind's eye a perfect gem of future entertainment — the "teaming" of those two superb singers, Jan Kiepura and Grace Moore. After thrilling to the melodies of the lormer in Tell Me To-night and My Song for You, and sampling the great accomplishments of Miss Moore, in One Xight of Love, what delicious heights sheer enjoyment the co-starring of these artistes in a musical setting worthy of then promises ! — fohn Brandon, 1 Railway Cottages Grangetown, Sunderland. Good For Benita [ay I, with the aid of Picturegoer, pass M' compliments to Benita Hume, for objecting' to play a part, in the film Bellini, of a person described as "the Mae West of her time." Good for you, Benita; one Mae West on the screen is one too many. I'm glad you had the courage to do it. — (Miss) Alice Bullock, 12 Burghlev Road, Kentish Town, N.VV.S. YOUR VIEWS WANTED What you think about the stars and filmi? Let us have your opinion, briefly. £\ IS. and los. 6d. will be paid for the two most interesting, and 55. for every other letter published each week. Letters should be written on one side of the paper only and should not exceed 150 words. Address to "Thinker," The "Picturegoer , Weekly," Long Acre, W.C.2. 34