Picture-Play Magazine (1933)

14 What the Fans Think Praising Herbert Marshall. FANS, a new and brilliant star has arisen! All hail to Herbert Marshall, who with all due respect to Kay Francis, Miriam Hopkins, and Charles Ruggles, was the star supreme of "Trouble in Paradise." This is a light, subtle, sophisticated film no one over fifteen should miss. The whole cast is excellent, but watch Mr. Marshall. Here is a real actor. And what a personality! He is not too handsome awl he combines the reserved charm of Ronald Colman with William Powell's suavity, Leslie Howard*s subtlety, and Robert Montgomery's roguish humor. I predict that Mr. Marshall will be one of our brightest stars. I am delighted that Vilma Banky is coming back to the screen in "The Rebel." She has always been my favorite actress. A Plainfield Fan. Plainfield. Xew Jersey. Who But Jean? J RAX HARLOW is the sweetest star in pictures to-day, or for that matter, any other day ! I have reasons for saying so, tco. Of course all the Harlow haters, who write nasty letters about her to this and other fan columns, think differently. Their dislike for her is invariably based on the opinion they formed because of her screen roies. Well, maybe a great many fans do judge stars by the roles they play, but I, for one, do not. jean in reality happens to be a very sweet, considerate, generous and appreciative girl — just the opposite of every part she has played. Let me tell about a little incident that occurred last winter during Jean's personalappearance tour. A friend of mine who also was an admirer of Jean's, and to whom I had frequently mentioned Jean's great interest in her fans, had been hurt in an auto accident and was in the hospital at the time Jean made appearances. She wrote to Jean, and happened to mention her plight. Of course Jean replied and sent a photo, but that wasn't all. A couple of days later Jean herself came to the hospital to pay the girl a visit. Would she do a thing of that sort if she was as mean and horrid as most of the people who dislike Jean would have you believe? I guess not! Incidents of that sort, however, aren't surprising to. those who know her, for it seems she is always doing kind things for others. With "Red-headed Woman," fans were convinced that she is a splendid actress. Now with "Red Dust," it has been discovered that she is also a perfectly grand comedienne. Put if Jean succeeded so well in her other parts as to get so many fans believing she is really "that way," she surely must have been a lot better actress than she was given credit for. So here's to Juan Harlow, the sweetest girl in the movie colony and one of the sweetest in the world! Nyki Werle. 217 Ralph Avenue, Brooklyn, Xew York. Wonderful One. HOW flare you -ay that Charles Morton could show Ramon Novarro a few tilings about acting. George Ferris? You mean Mr. Novarro could show Charles Morton and all the rest of the actor and actresses in Hollywood, or anywhere else, how t" act. Novarro is incomparable in no matter what character he portrays. You made a remark about barbers and tainalc seller having it all over Mr. Novarro for looks. X i "lie in the world can surpass his looks. Show me any one who can be photographed from any angle and still be handsome. There is only one — Ramon Novarro. Ramon Xovarro is the most wonderful man in the world! I am proud to say that he writes to me personally. Winifred Webster. 21 Everett Street, East Orange, New Jersey. Hamiltonians, Speak Out! IT was a treat to read in January Picture Play the letter in praise of Xeil Hamilton, written by "An Erie Fan." It is a long, long time since I have seen a word (jf approval for Neil's excellent portrayals. I have seen more than fifty-five performances by Xeil Hamilton, and have seen some of them so many times as to have lost count. But aside from watching a decade of his screen work, from itfirst flicker in "The White Rose" to its latest, in "The Animal Kingdom," I have known him personally for six years. I have more than seventy letters from him, together with many gifts and keepsakes, and he has called me by phone. In all these ways, I have found him the same good fellow he appears to be on the screen — too natural to be self-conscious or egotistical, too regular to be aware of his artistry, too appreciative and loyal to be forgotten in favor of new toy.-. All he has done for me is not told with a boastful attitude. I am only eager to prove that Neil docs value his fan followers, that he is sensible enough to guide himself by their criticism or approval. This being the case, let his fans come out of hiding and express their own viewpoints. "Erie Fan" deserves many congratulations for his sense of perception. John G. Whiddikg. 1769 Townsend Avenue, New York City. Two Neglected Anitas. IS MOULD like to say a few words for two very charming, young, blond actresses whom many of us haven't seen enough of lately. Anita Page is being used too much as a manikin and not nearly often enough as a screen heroine. I remember seeing her in the Elks' Pageant when I visited Los Angeles. I thought then, "This girl is going to go far." But something has happened. We so seldom see her. May the year 1933 see Anita Page one of the leading women of the screen. Why don't we see more of Anita Louise's fragile, flowerlike beauty? I noticed particularly this quality when I saw "Heaven on Earth" at a second-run theater last week. I liked her so much in that picture. At first Anita Louise was handicapped by being too young to take many of the roles offered. Now she is ready to show the public what she can do. I truly believe that the critics will say, "Okay, Anita." How about teaming her with that talented young actor, Richard Cromwell ? Wake up, casting directors, and give these two lovely girls a break. JOY( E ROLAINE SEHRT. Fargo, North Dakota. Why Give Stars a Rest? PI'". RSONAL criticism of one fan by another is a waste of time. Simply because some fans hold opposite views to "Adult ban" is no reason for the said fans to question his intelligence. As "Adult Fan's" last letter proved he is more than a match for his critics, so why waste any more time or space? Fans are divided into two classes — personality worshipers and art lovers, the second class being very much in the minority. The impression I received from the "Adult Pan's" letters is that he belongs to the latter class, as his criticism of Norma Shearer implies. In that event, his criticism is justified, as it is obvious to students of dramatic technique that Norma Shearer is decidedly not an artist. Mrs. Irving Thalberg's conception of any role she attempts, from society girl to neurotic matron, or sweet young thing, is never convincing to me. Brittle, calculated, studied — one looks in vain for depth and sincerity. M irie Brown. 7 Tara Hall Avenue, Montreal, Canada. "Don't Bite the Hand" Revived. AT last my peaceful nature has been aroused. It was the article entitled "Neil Squeals" in December Picture Play. Until now, Constance Bennett has left me cold. I neither thought she was good en. nigh to praise nor bad enough to criticize. One of these mediocre personalities. But that article ! In the first place, she freely admits she is taking the money of her American fans and saving it until she acquires a million dollars. That's all right. But, she also admits that after she gets it she's going to take herself and her million to Europe, because "Europe is the ideal place to live." Then why shouldn't she go to her ideal dwelling place and make her money? Mr. Hamilton goes on to say that no one ever ignores conceited Connie. Oh, yes they do. I have for the past two years. And in all modesty, I'm somebody. As for her ability -to wear clothes, Kay Francis, Libyan Tashman, and Joan Crawford could put on a sack and look smarter than Miss Bennett in the newest Parisian creation. A. Harris. Hollywood, California. Give Tallulah a Hearing. I HAVE yet to see any bouquets or even bricks thrown in the direction of Tallulah Bankhead. It seems that American audiences do not realize there is an artist on the screen. I do not know whether American audiences appreciate the acting ability of Miss Bankhead. Maybe it takes the European audience to do that. Not alone the idol of London theatergoers, but also the crowned heads of Europe, discovered Miss Bankhead and took her to their hearts. That alone is quite proof enough of Miss Bankhead's acting. Hardly any Hollywood star could boast of such colorful triumphs. Are American audiences so beauty-conscious that they fail to see Miss Bankhead's remarkable talent? She is not the most beautiful of Hollywood women, nor the worst. But if you must criticize face and figure, forget it and listen to that Bankhead voice. Never has there been such perfect control of speech and tone since the late Jeanne Eagels, perhaps the greatest actress of her time. "S. M." 2645 Sacramento Street. San Francisco, California. Who Knows? I HAVE some questions in mind that a great many persons would like to ask, but are afraid to. As there is much truth in some of them, I will ask them myself. Why did Claudette Colbert change her hair? Does Arline Judge think that she is the only actress on the screen? Continued on page 71