Picture Play Magazine (1932)

65 Take the case of Garbo. Everything' possible has been done to dethrone her, because she is said to be difficult to work with. She has few friends. When she arrived at the studio she was known only as "that Swede Stiller brought over." But she reigns supreme in the hearts of picture-goers, and the wrath of the gods — to say nothing of that of nine million fans — -will be on my head when I say she is an indifferent actress. Tallulah Bankhead, on the other hand, whom Paramount had high hopes of developing into something equally sensational, although a much better actress and more attractive, finds the public apathetic. Warner Brothers lavished a fortune on Lil Dagover and Fox was not niggardly in exploiting Elissa Landi, but both might as well be in the wilds of Africa for all the competition they give Garbo. Rose Hobart, Genevieve Tobin, and Spencer Tracy are all people whom studios have tried to force unsuccessfully upon a no longer gullible public. Hobart and Tobin have been greeted with enthusiastic indifference. Tracy, I think, would have been a big favorite had Fox not tried to force him too soon. Marie Dressier and Ruth Chatterton are a coupla gals who had resigned themselves to the fact that their heyday was past. Yet Chatterton caught on and has survived some very weak pictures. And Dressier is one of the biggest stars to-day, simply because the public set up such a hue and cry for her pictures the studio had no choice other than to give them what they wanted. Lew Ayres became a star overnight, by popular demand, and has remained one in spite of no progress in popularity or ability. He has something fans like. Dorothy Mackaill, while never a dazzling star, has gone on and on for years, always holding her followers. Janet Gaynor has skipped from one success to another with nothing to recommend her except a squeaky voice and an appealing manner which endear her to a public that will not permit anything to estrange them. Stars? Sure there are stars. And there are other stars. Take your pick. What? You have? I know it. So do the producers — probably to their sorrow. Unwanted Mothers Continued from page 18 studios simply haven't time for that sort of monkey business. Still mothers do have their destiny. And sometimes they boss the boys just as assiduously as the girls. Lupe Velez asserts that in her separation from Gary she was a victim of mother domination over Cooper. It was a dramatic story, anyway, and in all probability there was something to it. But Lupe has a whimsical way with her, too. She brought her own mother from Mexico, after the split with Gary, and quixotically remarked at the time that Gary had come between her and a fond parent. Lupe's mother has been a great comfort to her through what has been a real trial for the little Mexican skyrocket. For Lupe does love Gary — or diligently professes to. Dolores del Rio is one star who has scarcely ever been without her mother's aid and advice. Even since her marriage to Cedric Gibbons, Mrs. Antonia L. de Asunsolo is often on the set with her daughter, but never even from that vantage point has she stepped into her daughter's work. She is rare in being able to continue in the foreground and background simultaneously. I don't think any picture company resents mere visits of parents. In deed, a joyous fuss was made when Warner Baxter brought his mother to the studio for the first time recently. Numerous photographs of the two were taken, and they were lunched and feted. But then Baxter had scored an achievement, perhaps, in waiting so long to introduce his parent. Various other stars like Richard Dix, Nancy Carroll, Peggy Shannon, Evalyn Knapp, Myrna Loy, Una Merkel, Lillian Bond, and Dorothy Lee have folks, but the studio seldom, if ever, sees them. Little Miss Knapp came out to Hollywood quite alone to carve her career, even though she was a very young girl. When her lonely status was discovered, everybody commenced diligently to help and protect her. The only casualty she suffered, with no mother to guide her, was the accidental fall down a mountain last summer, although that was a near-tragic one. Then her brother was with her. Evalyn can sing the praises of Hollywood's unofficial chaperonage for the unguarded girl. With Marian Marsh — and she isn't the only one — sister takes the place of mother. There is still novelty to that arrangement. Jeanne Morgan Continued on page 73 How do Women in the Movies Manage? While a picture is being filmed, it means weeks of work without pause. Imagine the star, in a scene employing a thousand people, quitting because she is "indisposed!" The time of month does not excuse her. Women in the movies must carry on. Menstruation is just an incident. How do they manage? If you know any woman in pictures, she will tell you how Hollywood meets this emergency. Try to find even an "extra" girl who doesn't carry Midol! This marvelous discovery of the specialists is not merely a measure of relief. It ends all menstrual pain in five to seven minutes. Ten minutes after swallowing one tablet, all discomfort has passed! And it is effective for hours. If you anticipate your time and take Midol just before, you can go through your whole period without one twinge of menstrual pain or even headache! Midol is a boon to professional women, business women, every active woman who can't afford to be a monthly martyr, breaking engagements when her sickness comes unexpectedly, or dragging through the period slumped with pain. Approved by the medical profession, for it is nonnarcotic! Your druggist has the little box that tucks in your purse; just ask for Midol.