Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1926)

33 Patsy Ruth Miller. their Heroes, Too! snipers. Every feminine player has her idea], younger ones as to who their heroes are. Patsy Ruth Miller. Which ideal ? To-day's or yesterday's ? Ah, yes ; I fear I am fickle. This chameleon young man won't stay put. When I was a little girl, he was a gallant individual fashioned after Laurie in Louisa M. Alcott's "Little Women." Soft, curling brown hair, limpid eyes with long, sweeping lashes, and always delightful. He disappeared when Gerald Montgomery, the stock actor, came to St. Louis. Wavy auburn hair and a deep cleft in his chin, combined with brave daring and a satirical smile to intrigue me. So world weary and bored with feminine adulation ! Worshiping from my orchestra seat, I dreamed of some day being his leading lady. And his wife. I planned how I would persuade him to discharge that blondined ingenue. I wasn't going to take any chances. On my arrival in Hollywood, helter-skelter went all mental images of that idol. After four years of association with this deluge of personable young men, my poor ideal has become so mixed up that I despair of ever getting him straightened out. Matt Moore, Norman Kerry, Monte Blue, Kenneth Harlan, Tony Moreno, Syd Chaplin — each is charming and each has contributed traits to my continually changing ideal. For personal friends, I admire those with athletic prowess — tanned, outdoor men, about four years older than myself, but none, up to thirty, barred. The boys with whom I have the spiffiest times all play tennis and swim and dance, and have some knowledge of music and literature. Money doesn't count. I would marry the right man if he didn't have a cent. But he must have a good disposition. Sally Rand. Sophistication— plus. And reserve. There you have my ideal, all summed up. He must be well-read, suave, and aloof, with that annoying but stimulating calm that torments you into wondering how you could make him feel your presence. Lewis Stone approximates him in pictures. For playing around and dancing, I like college boys of my own age — Gordon and Bobby, Leonard and Franny, awfully nice youngsters, but too every day ish. One evening I thought I had found my hero. All alone he sat in a corner, sunk in gloom. I wondered what deep, tragic thoughts were passing through his mind and wished I were a striking brunette vamp so I could make him madly in love with me. And then — he up and did the Charleston ! Sally Rand. Jocelyn Lee. Whoever heard of a satisfactory hero who wasn't romantic? My champion screen hero, Ra mon Novarro, certainly does influence my ideal, because he combines the two qualities. The supply of romance in my group of boyfriends exceeds that of heroism, but perhaps they never had opportunities to display the latter trait. Jack, Bert, Paul, Hank, and Chet are potential Romeos — and there are a couple of others — but they all need a dash of Ramon Novarro heroism to make the grade. Jocelyn Lee. Girls, let's organize a club with this for our motto : "Let modern knight raise sword and lance for chivalry and old romance." Madge Bellamy. My Prince Charming must like me tremendously, be intelligent, have a striking personality, and be inclined to dominate. My first beau, John, was a regular sheik and I was so thrilled when he made me break a date with another boy. I went around in a daze for a week, remembering this marvelous creature's masterful manner. Now I prefer more subtle methods, combinations of Jack Gilbert and Dick Barthelmess. I have seen every picture that either has been in and, like all girl fans, picture the boys falling in love with me. Not long ago, at a party, I met Lee. He had the same steady gaze that Dick has, and black hair and Jack's slightly insolent manner. I thought I had met my fate, but nothing doing. It developed, after I had talked to him about ten minutes, that he was engaged to the most wonderful girl in the world. S'o where did Madge come in? She faded out of the picture. But hope springs eternal in the human heart. Some day I'll meet my two-in-one Jack-and-Dick, and when I do, like the Northwest Mounted Police, I'll get my — though maybe I'd better let him think he is doing the conquering ! Madge Bellamy. Lola Todd. There is something very manly and genuine Conway Tearle. He symbolizes the hero one could always rely on. I find Jack Hoxie admirable and believe he would appeal as greatly to women as to men if he would leave Western roles for society drama. In my high-school days I had crushes on gridiron and baseballdiamond heroes, but since I have grown older I have come to like professional men, particularly doctors. Thev are so stern and serious. I have one failing — I love to speed in a low-necked roadster, and adore men who fast. about Lola Todd. drive Pauline Garon. After being duly sworn and everything, I depose and say : Lowell Sherman, Lowell Sherman, Lowell Sherman. That isn't a remark. It's a shout. I wish I had Mr. De Mille's magnavox handy. [Continued on page 96]