Picture-Play Magazine (1933)

Garbo No Spik Engleesh! D,UE fairness toward Greta Garbo prompts my protest against the unkind criticisms appearing in various magazines concerning her. What the Fans Think tics with men. Ann would have been as lovely as Norma Shearer in "Smilin' Through," but she isn't given a fair chance. We want the Ann Harding of "East Lynne," "Devotion," and "Holiday." She and Leslie Howard are a perfect team Miss Garbo has given us her dramatic and j should like t0 see her p]ay opposite talent and genius. The public s approval predr;c March in some clean story suitable and acceptance, with such an overwhelm tQ both_ jFAN Stevenson. ing majority of admiration, is sufficient proof of her worth, also to settle contentions concerning her part in M.-G.-M.'s success. It is her right to voice her objection to vulgar curiosity and to all intrusions on her privacv. Likewise she merits credit for returning compliment for insult in Erich von Stroheim's ungentlemanly action during the filming of "As You Desire Me." Assuming that Von Stroheim is aware of actress what constitutes a gentleman, he forgot himself when in Garbo's presence. Who could condone this? Miss Garbo is a foreigner whose command of English is limited. She is entitled to indulgence rather than ridicule, since she could easily vindicate herself in her native tongue. Ravolde. California. Oak Park, Illinois. Gable Hideous, Hayes Too Frail! TO me it seems strange that some people still rave about Clark Gable. I honestly haven't found him to be the person some fans think he is. He may be a swell guy at heart, but he is hideous-looking and is not a good actor. I have tried to like him, but the more I see him the more I think that Hollywood needs spectacles or something. Recently I had my greatest movie disappointment. It came when I saw "The J^hite Sister." I hadn't even seen the silent version, and having heard many of my friends say how wonderfully Ronald Colman and Lillian Gish played their roles, I expected to see something extraordinary. Clark Gable bored me, and although Helen Hayes acted well, she was so delicate looking that her performance became unpleasant. Some people" say that Joan Crawford is too thin, but why doesn't some one criticize Helen Hayes? Why couldn't Ramon Xovarro and Elissa Landi have taken these parts? Both are much better actors, much better lookers, and certainly are more pleasant. The story was so beautiful that it is a pity that mediocre acting of the two great stars gummed the works. Some pen pals of mine have asked me what I think of several screen personages. Here goes ! Ramon Novarro : Exquisite, and words could never express the love and respect I hold for the Mexican marvel. Ricardo Cortez : The closest second to Xovarro. v Don't you love his eyes ? Fredric March : Outstanding in his type. Watch him go ! Elissa Landi : Foremost among actresses. Real? And how! Donald Novis : By the way, why doesn't some one give him a big chance ? Among newcomers, I suggest watching Cary Grant and Onslow Stevens. Teddy George. 525 York Road, Towson, Maryland. "Clean" Story for Harding. I AGREE with Hazel D. Behr in June *■ Picture Play when she says we need more real actresses like Ann Harding. She is refreshing and natural — we are tired of the glamorous ones. We are disgusted' with men slapping women's faces, and women using such tac She's Hep to Hepburn. READING June Picture Play I noticed certain unfair criticisms of Katharine Hepburn. Now I appreciate the fact that one cannot like all the stars, but why any one should have anything against Miss Hepburn is beyond me. She is the greatest that ever came to Hollywood. Magnetic, original, wonderful, she still is the most striking discovery of last year and this. The thing that makes Miss Hepburn so different is that she is so natural. She is just her own sweet self. Moreover, she, is good-looking in a different way, too — not in the usual movie-queen manner at all. Also, Miss Hepburn has that thing called chic. There are, by the way, only about ten stars who have, and Katharine is the most chic of them all. Miss Hepburn is more than just a favorite star to me. She is a very dear inspiration as well. I don't, as a rule, worship any star, but when a girl like Katharine comes along — ah, that's different. I guess I just can't help loving her. Again may I say that Miss Hepburn is the most wonderful and sweetest girl that has ever graced the fair city of Hollywood. Sally Rich. 175 Prairie Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island. 11 mile ahead of Gable, Cagney, and Raft, regardless of your opinion. Do you know that you arc limited when writing such a letter? I'd like to know where Gable, Cagney, and Raft get their histrionic ability. \\ e prefer cur own type of American youth and all the Scots in the world can't change our minds, mi therel Buddy proved he was an actor when he played 'Larry Brooks in "Lawyer's Secret." He "will still be an idol and a great success while Gable will be only a passing fancy. It's not Ruddy's fault he didn't get the right roles in the beginning of his career. Buddy has a clean, wholesome personality which nice girls prefer and all the Gables and Scotsmen can't change our opinion and feelings toward him. Beulah M. Klink. 713 Cook Avenue S. W., Canton, Ohio. M Saluting Madge Evans. AY I say a word for my friend and favorite actress, Madge Evans? Hers has been no meteoric rise. She has steadily gained in public favor since "Son of India." She is one of the few actresses in Hollywood who will listen to suggestions about her work. She works long hours without complaint, and she doesn't rant and tear her hair when the breaks aren't coming her way. Madge is a quiet, unassuming person. Her sincerity and common sense are refreshing in a town of synthetic poses. She wears sensible clothes, drives an inexpensive car, and has no exaggerated ideas of her own importance. Although she is the screen's most promising leading lady, she refuses to take herself or her work too seriously. She does, however, place her work ahead of parties and night clubs. She is, in that respect, the most sensible young woman in Hollywood. She has the happy faculty of perceiving her own merits and shortcomings from the unprejudiced viewpoint of a casmovies, who also have every right to shine ual acquaintance. She realizes, you see, in the present-day talkies ? What has it what many stars learn too late. That is done to players like Francis X. Bushman, why she is going places and on a one-way Jr., and Joseph Schildkraut? ticket, too. Bushman's screen personality, abilities, If you have not made Madge Evans's and appearance would make him the great acquaintance, hasten to the nearest theest riot as the screen's personification of ater showing one of her films. Study her modern American youth. If there is ever poise, beauty, and obvious culture. Watch a film or trend in films glorifying the the expressive use she makes of her hands American boy, there is nobody more ideal and eyes and mouth. Listen to her clear, for it than Francis X. Bushman, Jr. meticulous enunciation. If you are not Joseph Schildkraut combines the silent then a full-fledged Madge Evans booster, screen's acting abilities with a well you had better give yourself up. She's W1 Russia Speaks, has Hollywood d standing players of the old-time trained voice, many years of stage experience> a fine stage reputation, and a personality, and looks, which would make him a lover of a fame greater than that of Valentino. Both were miscast, with few exceptions, in the movies. Both have valuable abilities to give to the talkies. Tons of money and time are wasted to bring over Garbo's numerous doubles, train their voices and develop their personalities into "second Garbos." Does all this pay? Why does Hollywood give a lion's share to unworthy newcomers while overlooking real talent among those present? Is Hollywood an art center or sim stardom-bound. Make no mistake about that. Madge Evans — grand trouper, grand actress, and very grand person — I salute you ! Leroy Keleher. 494 Ash Street, San Diego, California. Marlene. even in her tailored tweeds She is still the lovely Lorelei. Her beauty radiant, warm, unchanged, Her smile the gift for which we sigh. If graced by slouch instead of toque, Her hair's no less the same spun gold, ply big business serving only box-office Her eyes, her lips enchant us >still, purposes? Rose Shpetner. Staro-Moskovskaya Str. 6-8, Kvartira 23, Kharkov, Russia, U. S. S. R. Gentle Defense of Buddy. our Scotsman, Dugald McAlpine, who wants acting, too : You say you suffered through "Working Girls." Well, I just want to say that Buddy Rogers is a T°. Her baffling look defeats the bold. And, trailing from a tailored cuff, Her hands, as ever, curled white flower< That hold one's heart eternally — A faithless slave through deathless hours. So pouf! for those who disapprove; A fig for don'ts and can'ts. She is still the lovely Lorelei In four-in-hand and pants ! W. E.