Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1926)

12 What the Fans Think because I have a feeling that one's most precious possessions would be perfectly safe in his keeping. As [or John Gilbert, 1 saw the dozen or so uniforms he sported in "The Merry Widow," and forgot them all the minute I passed the theater door. Why do nice women like him? He has a hateful look in his eye. Mary McClure. Barberton, Ohio. From Two More High-school Girls. We were much interested in the letter from "Two High-school Flappers," as we, too, are in high school. Although we agreed with many of their opinions concerning movie stars, we want to say that we are Stanch admirers of Ramon Novarro. Why should nationality enter into the opinions of the fans? Furthermore, we wish to inform the aforesaid flappers that Novarro is a great deal more American than Ben Lyon, as Novarro's ancestors were Mexican Indians. Of course, we like Ben Lyon — we have no intention of slamming Him. Who doesn't like the modern collegiate sheik? But Ramon Novarro and Ben Lyon cannot be compared ; they are distinct types — Lyon, the ideal American college boy, and Novarro the romantic, passionate lover of southern countries. We second their opinion of the beautiful Greta Nissen and inimitable Gloria Swanson. Betty Bronson, too, we adore. Emily Sheffield and Jane Dewey. 40 Park Street, Northampton, Mass. From a Group of High-school Seniors. Last month a correspondent expressed this remarkable opinion: "If all the youths of the country took to making love like Conway Tearle, pity the poor flapper." We, a group of high-school seniors, rise to remark that any flapper, or any other type of the feminine persuasion, who is unable to recognize Conway Tearle as a perfect lover on the screen, is indeed to be pitied. To be sure, it does require intellect to appreciate the sweep and finesse and variety of mood, the deftness and the degree of imagination which characterize the screen lover that our handsome Conway Tearle creates. Six Tearle Fans. Long Island, New York. The Year's Best Performances. The year is at a close, and the stars have caused many a heart to feel lighter. Many a frown has changed to a smile and many a sad heart has smiled because of them and we want to let the stars know how much we love them — the best doctors the world has ever known when it comes to curing the blues. I've looked over the past year and here are some of the performances I've enjoyed the most : Virginia Valli in "The Lady Who Lied." Bert Lytell in "The Boomerang." Mary Pickford in "Little Annie Rooney." Patsy Ruth Miller in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." May McAvoy in "Tessie." Gloria Swanson in "Stage Struck." Helen Ferguson in "The Isle of Hope" and "Wild West." Irene Rich in "The Wife Who Wasn't Wanted." Aileen Pringle in "One Year to Live." Bessie Love in "The King on Alain Street." Bebe Daniels in "The Manicure Girl." Al ice Calhoun in "The Alan on the Box." Zasu Pitts in "The Legend of Hollywood." Betty Bronson in "Peter Pan." Douglas Fairbanks in "The Thief of Bagdad." Note that only the last one is an elaborate production — but the others were simple and fine. Julia Edna David. 98 Waltham Street, Boston, Mass. Let's Stick to the Old Favorites. Well, I am disgusted with all this talk of new favorites. In every magazine all I sec is Greta Nissen, Norma Shearer, Ronald Colman, Betty Bronson, Vilma Banky, and so many new ones. They say Greta has beautiful blond hair. Well, how about Anna Q. and others? Norma Shearer, they say, is a great and beautiful actress. But is not our own Norma Talmadge a much better one? Ronald Colman a good actor. Bosh! Betty Bronson the only person who could have played Peter Pan. What a big joke ! Mary Pickford and May McAvoy could have done it wonderfully. Let's stick to the old favorites. Jack and June. Piqua, Ohio. In the December issue of Picture-Play I noticed the article by Edwin Schallert, called "The Wreckage of Stardom,'' and I have a few criticisms to make. The writer says that there will soon be not only Pickfords, Fairbankses, Valentinos, and Talmadges, but Morans, Bennetts, Shermans, and so forth. He is entirely wrong, in my estimation. No one can get into the class of Mary, Doug, Bebe, Norma, Gloria, Richard, Ramon, and Ben. We fans are all for the old-time wonderful stars. Betty. Burlingame, Calif. A Constant Fan. A rather interesting thing happened to me to-day. In going through an old box of mine, I came across a list I made eight years ago of my twelve favorite players of that time, and in making out a new list to-day, I find that I am not a very fickle fan, for in my present twelve there are seven of those of eight j'ears ago ! Here is the old list: Mary Pickford, Mae Murray, Anita Stewart, Pauline Starke, Alice Joyce, Norma Talmadge, Theda Bara, Olive Thomas, Dorothy Gish, Henry B. Walthall, Jack Pickford, and Charles Chaplin. The new list : Mary Pickford, Mae Murray, Pauline Starke, Alice Joyce, Virginia Brown Faire, Dorothy Gish, Jack Pickford, Charles Chaplin, Richard Barthelmess, Douglas Fairbanks, Buster Collier, and George O'Brien. Very close to these latter come Anita Stewart, Henry B. Walthall, Bessie Love, Bebe Daniels, Louise Fazenda, Louise Dresser — since her Goose Woman — Zasu Pitts, Blanche Sw-eet, George Arliss, Ben Lyon, George Fawcett, Snitz Edwards, the Beerys, Ronald Colman, Ernest Torrence, Lon Chaney, and Winston Miller. And I'm wailing patiently for Theda Bara to return. An Old Fan. Los Angeles, Calif. Three New Favorites. If anybody had told me six months ago that Fd now be anxiously fingering your "Screen in Review" each month, trying to find the films in which Raymond Hatton, Raymond Griffith, and Ernest Torrence appear, why, I guess I'd have told 'em scathingly, "You don't know what you're talking about ! Why. with Novarro, Gilbert, Dix, Nagel — really, my dear, don't you think you'd better lie down? This heat is terrible and I know it does affect some people !" But, honestly, ever since I saw Griffith in "Miss Bluebeard," Torrence in "The Covered Wagon," and Hatton in character roles in various plays, I've taken stock in them. When any one of these three is mentioned in the cast for a film, you can just say to yourself, "Well, thank the powers that be, there'll be one bright spot in the picture, anyway!" Blanche A. Rexicker. 29 Fernwood Avenue, Rochester, N. Y. Some Outstanding Roles. Long after the various stars have disappeared from the screen, we will remember main of them by single pictures or single characterizations, such as : Pauline Fredericks' Madame X. Betty Compson in "The Miracle Man." Lois Wilson's Molly in "The Covered Wagon." Noah Beery in "The Wanderers of the Wasteland." Pola Negri in "Passion." (With the exception of her performance in "Forbidden Paradise," Pola has not again equaled her great success — and she's such a good actress, too.) Lon Chaney as The Frog in "The Miracle Man." Betty Bronson's Peter Pan. (She has never again reached the heights she did in "Peter Pan." Grown-up roles do not suit her — she is youth incarnate.) May McAvoy in "The Enchanted Cottage." Ernest Torrence's Bill Jackson in "The Covered Wagon." Rudolph Valentino's Julio in "The Four Horsemen." (Another actor who has never equaled his first success, but give him a real chance again, and then watch Rudy act.) Jackie Coogan in "The Kid." Dorothy Gish in "Hearts of the World." Wallace Beery's Rhode Island Red in "The Pony Express." ('Nuf said!) Douglas Fairbanks' Robin Hood. Colleen Moore's Selina in "So Big." (But Colleen can do most anything, from a modern flapper to an old lady, and do it well, which is more than can be said of many others.) Milton Sills in "The Sea Hawk." Richard Barthelmess as the Chinese boy in "Broken Blossoms." (Somehow Dick doesn't seem to fit into light comedies such as "Shore Leave" and "New Toys." He needs bigger things.) Gloria Swanson in "The Humming Bird." Norma Talmadge in "Secrets." Marion Davies in "Little Old New York." There are several others I wish I could add to this list — people who have talent, but have never been given a real chance to show it. Norma Shearer's work in "The Snob" and "Lady of the Night" showed that she has ability to handle a real role. And wouldn't Adolphe Menjou make an ideal Anatole in "The Affairs of Anatole?" Ben Lyon is still young, but he's got the stuff actors are made of. "Wages of Virtue" showed that. Though few people seem to realize it, Pauline Starke is going to reach the top of the ladder. Her work in "The Devil's Cargo" and "Sun Up" was remarkable. Try as they would, they could not make a comedian out of Louise Fazenda, for she is really a tragedian at heart. Though her role in "Bobbed Hair" was comedy, beneath it all there was a tiny touch of tragedy, and if that bit is given encouragement, we will hear of Louise in the days to come. Virginia Valli, Florence Yidor, and Irene Rich are three excellent actresses who have been given such mediocre roles that there has been no chance for real acting. Emmy Lou Myers. 139l/2 Russell Street, Portland, Ore.