Picture Play Magazine (Jul - Dec 1929)

Continued from page 21 road. That's another one on which the bow-and-arrow kid can take a bow. Marie Prevost is one of Cupid's favorites. Marie doesn't stay put so well. But she's a glutton for punishment. Her recent marriage marathon with Kenneth Harlan puts her in a class by herself. Marie and Ken shifted matrimonial gears so frequently that not even their best friends would tell — or could tell — whether their conjugal car was hitting on all six, or had a couple of flat tires. Finnegan, he of on-again, off -again, gone-again fame, had nothing on the fluctuations of Marie's epithalamium. (That's why you should always read with a dictionary beside you.) Even during that no-man's time between the interlocutory and the final whoopee, optimists led by Cupie were helpfully and hopefully shedding rays of sunshine all over Marie's menage. But the blowoff came when she signed for a picture called "The Exodus." That was what it meant for Ken. The psychological effect of that title lost the combat for Cupid. Sue Carol gave the love god an even break this season. She shuffled off her all-too-solid contracts at one time. She had 'em and got over 'em, like chickenpox. Just a little while before Sue was divorced from her contract with Douglas MacLean, and left free for a Fox engagement, a benevolent judge cut a more or less Gordian knot which was hitched in Chicago before Sue knew her Hollyhocks. So she was left matrimonially unencumbered, and free for an engagement to Nick Stuart, as well as to Fox. Needless to say, she entered into both quicker than a talkie technician says "Mississippi, Mississippi" before the interlock on a sound stage. Which gave Cupid a stand-off. Of the betrothals that have blossomed into marriage, that of Phyllis Haver still holds the stage as a head LoVe s Just a Lirab bag line attraction. "Phyl" has the unique distinction of having wedded Mayor Jimmy Walker's pal, William Seaman. Dat ole davil Seaman is one of Broadway's big tea-and-toddle men, and is such a romanticist that he calls his canned goods after flowers. In this planting, Hizzoner the Mayor doubled for Eros. Just how James found time to put aside his key-tothe-city routine to pinch-hit for Dan'l will always be something for Solomon to ponder. But the fact remains that he donned a "Civic Virtue" make-up, glued a pair of wings between his derby and his spats, picked up Cupid's b. and a., instead of his stick, and speared two hearts neatly as William Tell did the apple. Ben is Bebe's boy friend. Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels, Cupid's best customers. If their previous engagements were laid end to end, they'd reach from# Marilyn Miller to Jack Pickford, which is a long way. The ladies of Lyon have been listed to include such delightful damsels as Marilyn, Marian Nixon, Marie Prevost, Lupe Velez, Ruth Elder, et cetera. The et cetera covers a multitude of betrothals. And Bebe is no amateur. Rumor has bestowed her hand on several Olympic teams, the Paramount lot, and a few independent organizations. Bebe was engaged to Jack Pickford about the same time that Ben was engaged to Jack's ex, Marilyn. So somehow they seem to have something in common upon which to found marital happiness. Cupid put this one over all by himself, and when the contracts are signed, he deserves a medal from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, presented by Conrad Nagel. Less spectacular, but more mignonette-ish is the thorough job Cupe has made in grafting May McAvoy and Maurice Cleary onto the tree of romance. Front pages have not infrequently been beautified by May's pictures captioned in a manner to make the public believe that she would soon be Madame This, or Mrs. That. But Cupid hates newspaper publicity, and put the kibosh on those printers-ink romances, knowing all the time that it was all fixed for May to call Maurice "my man." As in any other farming community, the Hollywood yokelry gathers round the cracker barrel at Henry's to discuss the crops. And most interesting of all are the plantations of that new-fangled city feller, Dan Cupid. Upon his activities the watchful waiters of the Boulevard concentrate their attention. Questions on engagements, marriages, or divorces are answered with the oracular wisdom of a Beatrice Fairfax. If no questions are asked, the answers come anyway. Strange to say, constant practice has brought uncanny skill in forecasting. Upon numerous occasions the honeymoon has faded within the time limit allotted over the second, or free, cup of coffee, and plighted troths have been blighted according to schedule. You may make your own odds, for instance, if you believe that Gary Cooper will ever become Mr. Lupe Velez. Bets were paid on the finding of separate ways of Renee Adoree and her last headache. The odds as quoted were against Pauline Garon and Lowell Sherman doing a Darby and Joan. The Del Rio heartaches were considered to be in the cards. And while Viola Dana was telling the boys everything was Jake with "Lefty" Flynn, the betting was that freedom's eagle was screaming just around the corner. According to the farmers, all augurs well for the future happiness of Phyllis, Bebe, and May. The boys are betting that the romances will all "take," that this time the saplings planted by this sap Cupid will bear the flower of domestic happiness, that the harvest will be for better instead of for worse. Bill Carney played a hero bold — Upon the screen he flickered. But when they saw the play unfold, The audience just snickered ! Said William, "It's as plain as day They think that I am funny, So, I've got a hunch With the Sennett bunch I can land the punch And cop some praise and money!" Tke Evolution of a Villain By Harold Seton. Mack Sennett took a chance or two And gave a job to Willie; But when the picture went on view The audience seemed chilly ! Bill's comedy was of the kind That drives a guy to liquor. So they sat and cried As with pain inside, And they moaned and sighed — But never snicked a snicker ! All this did not discourage Bill, For he was strong and willin'; He haunted studios until ■ He got a job as villain ! He made a hit that was immense — Now fame and fortune wait him. So the livelong day He's as happy, gay, As the birds in May, 'Cause the audiences hate him!