Picture-Play Magazine (Jul - Dec 1930)

12 Wkat the Fans Tnink Crocella's Spiritual Kin. If "Eternal Idolizer" likes to hear about Barry Norton, I certainly enjoy talking about him. However, as Ann, his secretary and manager, says, "I think you said all there was to say in your last letter." All but one thing, 1 guess, and I can't keep that a secret. By the time this is published, Ann, who is really Mrs. Salvador Romero, will >me a mother. Harry insisted that he was to be the godfather. So imagine my delight upon learning that I could be godmother if I wanted! ' parents are -said to be spiritually related. So, needle" to say, I'm taking' advantage til" this opportunity to become a kind of relative to Harry ! Barry, by the way, is doing splendidly in Spanish versions, and now. very soon, we shall hear him in English. He certainly is waiting patiently for this opportunity. Further information for Barry -his favorite beverage is milk and his pet delicacy apple pic. He thinks one of the most attractive qualities in a person is cleanliness and has been known to t;:ke six baths a day in warm weather ! The person who wrote condemning Buddy Rogers because a letter to him was answered by a card quoting prices of pictures, does the young man an injustice. Paramount handles the fan mail of their players. Crocella Mullen. Hollywood, California. Another Artistic Death and Will I commit any special kind of treason if I suggest that Paramount might cast Barry Norton as the hero in revivals of some of the Wallace Reid pictures? Confess now! Wouldn't you like to see "The Ghost Breaker," "The World's Champion." or "Across the Continent" again? But. please, Mr. Zukor, Mr. Lasky, and all ye casting directors, don't cast Barry Norton as "He Who Gets Shot." Just one more artistic death on the part of Mr. Norton and I'll phone the florist for a wreath, instead of writing a fan letter! Judith BarriE. 60 Harper Street. Rochester, New York. The One Actress Discovered. Why is it that most of the fans are exclaiming about Greta Garbo being such a wonderful actress? What has she done in pictures that any other actress couldn't do? Except flashing a striking personality, perhaps different from other stars. No, Garbo is not an actress by any means. She hasn't the facial contrasts or the poise of a real actress. No doubt she is clever and exotic, and manages to put her pictures over, which few of the great stars do. But to compare her with such stars as Pola Negri and Gloria Swanson is ridiculous. To acclaim her as a great actress i absurd. In my estimation there is only one real actress in the world today. That is Pola Negri. Roy B. McAloney. Y. M. C. A.. Nashua, New Hampshire. Those Vallee Dithers. What in Heaven's name lias induced American fans to get into such a state of excitement and dither over Rudy Vallee ! I have just seen "The Vagabond Lover," and I do most sincerely hone that T never again have to witness such an appalling exhibition of incompetence on the part of ■ irred player. Mr. Vallee has '-cither looks, acting ability, nor personality, and his singing suffered very badly in comparison with that of Stanley Smith, whose "Sweetie" appeared on the same program. Really, I should have thought that when the much-adored Rudy got his first eyeful of the play-backs of this film he would have returned quietly to New York and stuck to the radio! However, no doubt he thought he was grand. He looked as if he did. Although I am English, I am a stanch admirer of American films and players, and consider the artistry of Ruth Chatterton, Gary Cooper, and Janet Gaynor, to name only a few, to be of the highest order — but, please, no more Rudv Value's! N. M. H. London, England. The Fates Place a Symbol. I do not know how I can ever express my appreciation of Madeline Class, who wrote "What Is His Mystic Power?" in August Picture Plav. I have, of course, read many, many articles about Ramon Novarro, but never one which touched on my own feelings so exquisitely. Until I read Miss Class's article, I thought I was the only girl in the world who idolized Ramon in the way she described; and I cannot say how happy I am to know that there are so many others just like me. Since there is no other actor who received the adulation accorded Novarro I have concluded that it was a strange and wonderful purpose of fate which placed him on the pinnacle of fame, that he might be the symbol of gayety and romance to girls all over the world. Eleanor C. Wehle. 94 Beach Avenue, Larchmont, New York. Give Stage Players a Hand. It seems to me that most of the fans are against the stage recruits. Why, I cannot tell. There seems little or no reason for this prejudice. Certainly Broadway has given us some of the finest players in Hollywood. The two male idols, Lawrence Tibbett and Maurice Chevalier, came directly from the stage. Both understand the necessity of making a warm contact with the audience; hence the charm and personality of each, particularly Chevalier, who. not having the golden voice of Tibbett, must make the most of his brilliant smile. And what of Ruth Chatterton, Jeanette MacDonald. Lillian Roth, and a score of others? Chatterton gave the screen such acting as it never before had seen. MacDonald, on the other hand, gave us the perfect singing voice, plus ease and ability to act, plus beauty and style. It is true that she has not received much praise, but she deserves plenty. I agree that the screen has held its own. But why not give the stage stars a little praise? Thev deserve it! Pi \RT. A. Katzman. 601 West 180th Street. New York, New York. Her Rosary of Favorites. What radical changes the talkies have brought about, and. much as I like them, there are some things that make me wonder. Buddy Rogers's voice— or lack _ of voice — for one thing. He's good-looking and has a fair amount of acting ability, with musical talent added; but he should never sing, because his voice lacks depth, training, and interest. What is to be done about all these stage stars being forced upon us? Catherine Dale Owen— why, she hasn't any acting ability at all and isn't even beautiful. Color' photography was far from flattering to her in "The Rogue Song." Marilyn Miller may be all right on the stage, and I know she is, for I saw her in "Sally," but she hasn't anything to give to the screen, except being pretty, and there are so many pretty stars already, who have other talents as well. I haven't a thing against them, except they don't belong in the movies and should go back to the stage, where they do belong. That may be said for Jeanette MacDonald, Bernice Claire, Alexander Gray, and Mary Nolan. I admire Maurice Chevalier, Ann Harding, and Kay Johnson immensely, but they have real talent. I've two favorites — supreme favorites — Greta Garbo and Ruth Chatterton. There aren't any others to be compared with them — Greta, for her great fascination and mystery ; Ruth, for her wonderful personality and perfect voice. Now just a note that may interest collectors. Through a friend's influence, Dolores Costello sent me a gorgeous announcement of baby Dolores — a portrait of Dolores, the baby, and John Barrymore, and printed below : "Miss DoloresBarrymore thanks you very much for your good wishes." It's beautiful! Elinor Garrisox Henderson. 521 Puget Street, Olympia, Washington. Heard by a Musical Ear. I should like to express my opinion of a few movie matters. First, why all the excitement about Greta Garbo? She is a good actress, but there are a number of others just as fine and several better. To me, Marie Dressier stole "Anna Christie" right from under her nose. Miss Dressler's acting is so human and appealing. More power to her ! Secondly, why all the fuss about Bebe Daniels's singing voice? It is just a fair voice, and her work in "Rio Rita" showed sadly her lack of real musical ability or instinct. John Boles left her so far behind that Bebe's work wasn't to be considered— vocally. And as for acting, that was only average, too. There is a star no longer on the screen with a much finer voice and, what is even more important, a real knowledge of music, and that is Anita Stewart. Perhaps some fans heard her on her recent vaudeville tour, and if they know anything about voice, they will know what I say is true. ■ Thirdly, the excitement about Tibbett or Chevalier occupying the throne. Why, when Novarro came through so splendidly in "Devil-May-Care": And why try to make singers of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, when neither can sing? And that goes for Buddy Rogers, too! Of the stars, I think Gloria Swanson and Anita Stewart have by far the finest singing voices, and, of course, Novarro leads the men. One of the oldtimers, Lloyd Hughes, is possessed of a fine singing voice, and personally, I prefer it to that of John Boles — as fine as his is. Since living in California I have been to a number of the Hollywood premieres and want to say that most of the stars appear every bit as nice as they do on the screen. My biggest disappointments were Richard Dix and Louise Fazenda. Gloria Swanson is even handsomer off than on the .screen, and Norma Shearer is very distinguished-looking._ If any of the fans care to write on subjects mentioned in this letter, I shall be glad to hear from them. . Theodore T. Cavanaugh. 130 South Belmont Street. Glcndale, California. Continued on page 96