Picture-Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1924)

Advertising Section sions had two or three young men each gathered around them. The easy familiarity of the tropics was shown as the young ladies sat talking with their arms around the necks of young men acquaintances. At the end of the five-minute period the whistle sounded a warning and the picture was resumed. I suppose that it would require too much effort for the natives to sit through a continuous performance, as the} are adverse to hard labor. It might have been that some relief was required from the hard seats. This seems to he the logical reason for the frequent intermissions. The same picture is shown twice a week until a new him arrives. The natives attend each performance and show as much, if not more, enthusiasm as they did when they witnessed it for the first time. So the American actor on American films brings enjoyment to these simple, childlike people, thousands of miles from the United States, by speaking a language they understand but doing stunts entirely novel and foreign to them. Alfred P. Peck. Cape Town, Union of South Africa. A Protest. Recently in one of our local theaters I had the dubious pleasure of seeing "The Drivin' Fool" rushed through so fast that the actors appeared as jumping jacks, and when Harold Lloyd's "His Royal Slyness" was presented, it was shot through with the same velocity. In fact, it went so fast that some parts seemed to us to be left out. And we were right. Imagine our surprise when, on leaving the theater, to note pictures supposed to be taken from the film, but which had apparently beercensored, or removed to shorten the picture, posted in a large show frame. Several others commented on the same thing. Now, if that concern thinks it is going to get any further patronage from yours truly or his host of friends it is greatly mistaken. This same thing has happened time and again, I am told. Only one reason appeared : Several patrons were standing, waiting to get in, and rather than pass up a few. admissions, they sacrificed the pleasure of the entire seating capacity for the sake of a few dimes. And then managers wonder what is wrong with the pictures. Walter J. Krieg. i 555 Edmund Street, St. Paul, Minn. Some Personal Impressions. All roads lead to Chicago. Movie stars, on their way from coast to coast, must stop over for hours between trains just like ordinary mortals ; and the inquisitive fans may, if they choose, survey their favorites at close range. To the Chicago fan who cares to go star hunting, there are thrills galore. Away from their Hollywood homes and studio surroundings, the screen celebrities become just men and women who measure up like all the rest of us. Out of the passing parade I can see six stars who interested me more than the rest. At the first showing of "Robin Hood" in Chicago, I sat within ten feet of Doug Fairbanks and Mary Pickford for nearly three hours, and I studied their every movement. They are worthy of any one's attention. Doug is a typical American, extremely nervous, and a good talker. Miss Pickford is a beautiful young woman, cool and gracious — but she is not the "Little Mary" we see on the screen. Valentino, when in Chicago, was all that could be expected. No star ever faced a more difficult ordeal than did Rodolph during his stay in this city. With thousands of fans, especially of the feminine variety, worshiping nightly at his shrine, he never once lost his poise and good sense. I heard him state his case, and I hope he wins out. After conversing with Lew Cody for more than a half hour at the Senate Theater, I cheerfully included him among the few who possess a compelling personality. A regular fellow in every way, he seemed more than anxious to merit the approval of the fans. In addition to his screen talents, Mr. Cody has a fine stage presence. Pearl White, when I met her at the Movie Exposition a few years ago, was a glorious girl, high-spirited, jolly, and a beauty. She fairly radiated personality, and a crowd of more than twenty thousand shouted their appreciation and praise. Last on the list, hut first in my affections, comes Mabel Normand. It is hard to imagine a screen artist so grateful and sincere that she will entertain one of her loyal admirers in an exclusive hotel — ■ while film chiefs, reporters, and photographers fret and fume in the lobby below. She is the most wonderful girl I ever have met. It is no wonder that Norbert Lusk stated in the October Picture-Play: "Mabel is irresistible!" Her friendship I prize very highfy. John D. Cahill. 2IOI West Monroe Street, Chicago, 111. A Note from Richard Barthelmess. It isn't always that a letter from a fan strikes so close to the mark as T. C. Van Antwerp's in a recent issue of "What the Fans Think." For it happens that we have already chosen for my next picture! a modern story, in which I am to play a youthful role. The public, you know, is made up of many diverse personalities, and so with motion-picture fans. Some like zippy modern pictures, some like costume dramas, some like comedies, some like heavy character productions. In "Fury" we tried to suit those who wanted plenty of action and a bit of comedy and the spirit of youth. In "The Bright Shawl" we attempted to please lovers of character portrayals, and in "The Fighting Blade" we went in for costumes, swords, gallant men, and fiendish villains. My next picture, "Twenty-one," is almost collegiate. I do drive a zippy roadster and flappers of the latest, up-to-theminute 1923 brand are part of the background. Indeed, Mr. Van Antwerp has hit exactly upon my production policy. I want to vary my schedule as much as possible in the hope that I may give pleasure to all sorts of fans. The public is really my only guide and I welcome criticism and advice from those who are pleased to be interested in me. Richard Barthelmess. Smiles. I remember reading an article quoting Thomas Meighan thus : "Invest in a smile, it pays big dividends." That, the writer stated, was Thomas Meighan's motto. It is a mighty fine one to have and I feel sure that all of our professionals who invest heavily in smiles draw down big dividends in kind thoughts and faithful friends. I have never dreamed that a smile could heget hate until I read "Only a Fan's" letter in the October issue. In the sixteen years that I have been an ardent devotee of motion pictures T have grown to know many hy their smiles, and their possessors have endeared themselves to me forever. I will mention a few of them. EARLE E. LIEDERMAN as he is fo-day If a Jelly Fish in the Face lie would do it. But he can't. He lias 110 arms. Neither does he have a backbone. How much worse off is a man who was given a good backbone and a pair of arms — and won't use them. NO EXCUSE We excuse the jelly fish. He never had anything to work on. But there is no excuse for a flabby, round shouldered and flat chested specimen of a man. You were given a perfect framework for a body. You were meant to rule the world, but there is hardly an animal alive which does not show better sense than you do. CUT IT OUT FELLOWS Brace up and he the man you were meant to be. Don't try to imitate a jelly fish. Get some pep into you and make a real He man out of yourself. Come on and let me help you. I'll shoot a thrill into you that will make your old spine quiver with excitement. I'll build up that chest, broaden those shoulders and £ive you the huge, muscular arms of an athlete. And that's not all. Your lungs will start pumping real oxygen into your blood, purifying your entire system. Those old cobwebs in your brain will disappear. Your eyes will radiate the life within you. You will have a spring to your step, and every move you make will show new life and energy. IT'S NOT TOO LATE I don't care what your present condition is. The weaker you are, the more noticeable the results. All you need is a framework and enough ambition left to say "I'm ready. Let's go"! I'm going to put one full inch on your arms in just 30 days. Yes, and two inches on your chest. But that's only a starter. Then watch 'em grow. I'll put pep into your old backbone and build up every muscle on your body so that your own friends won't know you. This is no idle talk, fellows. I don't promise these things — I guarantee them. Come on then and make me prove it. That's what I like. Send for my 64-page book "MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT" It Is Free It contains forty-three full page photographs of myself and some of the many prize-winning pupils' I have trained. Many of these are leaders in their business professions today. I have not only given them a body to be proud of, but made them better .loctors, lawyers, merchants, etc. Some of these came to me as pitiful weaklings, imploring me to help them. Look them over now and you will marvel at their present physiques. EARLE E. LIEDERMAN Dept. 1403 305 Broadway, New York City EARLE E. LIEDERMAN, Dept. 1403, 305 Broadway, New York City. Bear Sir: I enclose herewith 10 cents, for which you are to send me without any obligation on my part whatever, a copy of your latest book, "Muscular Development." Name Street , City .State (Please write or print plainly.)