Picture-Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1926)

10 What the Fans Think Continued from page 8 Concerning Fan Critics I road the fans' criticisms of various actresses and actors, and, as a rule, I get a great kick out of it, not by seeing how some are underrated and others overrated, but because I enjoy studying the characters of the critics themselves. When I read a criticism flippantly approving the vamps, flirts, and the like, I say to myself, "I'll wager that critic is a vamp or a flirt." If, on the other hand, I read a criticism approving such characters as Thomas Meighan, Jack Holt, Lois Wilson, Mary Pickford, and a score of others, I think that the critic's mind and judgment are sound. I have particularly in mind Bridget Hicks, of Topeka, Kansas, and her percentage rating of various actors and actresses in a recent issue. I believe I should have passed it up if she hadn't rated Lois Wilson at zero. Bridget Hicks rates Lois at zero, Thomas Meigdian at fifty per cent, and Rudolph Valentino at ninety-nine per cent. What, may I ask, is Bridget Hicks' percentage rating as a critic? I think that Lois Wilson is typical of the loveliness of American womanhood. Every time I see Lois play, I get the feeling of "Home, Sweet Home." She _ is to me the girl that I should liku to see in every respectable American home, either as a wife, sister, mother, or sweetheart. _ She seems to create such an atmosphere in her acting as to persuade even the most confirmed bachelor to renounce his oath and marry. She seems to me to typify the woman who would smile even in sorrow, and she always portrays the woman who makes home a home instead of just a place to stay in. If those characteristics which Lois portrays to her fans amount to zero, then something must be wrong in Topeka, Kansas. I suppose Lois could roll her eyeballs as well as others do, but if she prefers to have part in films where she can be just what she is, hurrah for Lois ! Whenever Lois comes to the Vermillion Theater, the house is full. Thomas Meighan is an actor who also draws a large crowd, and I w^ould sooner see him in a policeman's uniform than thousands of Valentinos in gold-braided tunics. Taking 'everything in consideration as to Lois' and Thomas' acting ability and the characters they portray, I rate them one hundred per cent plus. J. U. Wysocki. University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota. A Bomb for a Brickbat In "The Eagle" Rudy's motto was, "A tooth for a tooth, and a horse for a donkey." My motto is, "An eye for an eye, and a bomb for a brickbat." And this bomb is headed straight for Rosalind Rubelle, who, in a letter appearing in the February Picture-Play, speaks of Thomas Meighan as a swaggering has-been. How any one could, or why he or she would, want to say anything so unkind and untrue about this splendid star is more than I can understand. Jean Wilson. Seattle, Washington. A Defender for Doug Why are the fans always hurling brickbats at Douglas Fairbanks? I rise as his defender ! At my school, Doug is the idol. My chums rave about him, and often wonder why I do not. I rave about lads like Novarro, Novello, Sills, Tearle, Beery, and Hughes, but I never speak of Doug to any one. My feelings for Doug are different. It is not the raving adoration and hero wor ship such as I have for Ramon or Ivor. It is not the worship 1 have for Wallace Beery. It is something deeper. My feelings for Ramon and the others are not deep. If ever I saw any of them in a bad picture, I dare say my adoration would go off like a rocket. But no matter if I saw Doug in fifty bad pictures, my feelings for him would not change ! It is something that burns inside me! And alter seeing "The Thief of Bagdad," I think I know what it is. It is — love. After seeing Doug in "Robin Hood," I did not go out of the cinema and simply rave up and down the town, as I did after seeing Ramon in "Scaramouche." From the beginning of "Robin Hood" — the most delightful of all films — to the end, something w*as stealing over me. My chums raved over "Robin Hood" and Doug. But not Terry. I sat with tight lips and burning cheeks. I felt drawn, drawn toward that man who was so boyish, so madcap, and unboring ! What drew me to Doug? His personality. It peeps at you from his mischievous eyes ; it lurks in the corners of his roguish mouth ; it is in everything he does ; every action, every look in his dear eyes — personality. It got me in its grip. When I left the cinema, I knew I had met the man who would hold my heart forever. And he has. For tzvo years I have not said a zvord to my chums about Doug. They still rave, and I guess this letter will surprise them. My love for Douglas Fairbanks and his Mary Pickford will go on burning long after my adoration for Ramon has died out. I love" Mary, too — dear little Mary. Mary and Doug will always have my heart, for they are my ideals. Doug's True Fan, Terry Winslow. 23 Firle Road, Eastbourne, England. A Boost for George O'Brien Most fans seem to write to PicturePlay to boost one or another of the stars ; so why shouldn't I ? My vote goes to George O'Brien, for these reasons : Because he has a charming personality and a shy, quiet manner which is irresistible. Because of a certain magnetic quality in his work, and a sincere understanding of every role he plays, which give a most satisfactory result. Because he looks a gentleman in every sense of the word. Because, in "The Man Who Came Back" and in "Havoc," he has given two of the outstanding screen performances of the last two years. Also, he can "do" things, such as riding, swimming, and boxing, better than most. And — though this may annoy him frightfully— he has a wonderful face and figure ! Somehow, I think he will, in the near future, become a great screen idol ; but there is a refreshing novelty about him and his work. Just an Ordinary Reader. Hampstead, London, England. A Disappointment I have for months waited excitedly to see "The Merry Widow" — meanwhile reading marvelous criticisms as to the superbness of the acting and production. Well, fans, I have to-day seen it ! My disappointment is beyond expression — so I am writing to know if there are others who feel as I do about it. John Gilbert is one of my very special favorites, but in this film he is not the great actor I knew him to be. I lost count of the elaborate suits he. was arrayed in throughout the film. Any one — any ordinary actor — could have played his role equally well. In fact, I know of at least two who would perhaps have been better — more real in every way. It hurts me to have to say so, but I'm sure there must be others who agree with me and know what John Gilbert can do — and is going to do! Mae Murray's tireless vivacity has never appealed to me, but I understood that a "different" Mae Murray had blossomed forth in this production. I didn't notice any change. I'm sorry to have to admit that in future I will not look forward so much to a film before seeing it. I do hope that the role of Kodolphe in "La Boheme" will be more suited to Mr. Gilbert. Having seen the opera many times, I should think it would be. Gene MacKinnon. Alma, Vicarage Road, Teddington, Middlesex, England. More Praise for the Cowboys Three cheers for the two girls in the January Picture-Play who like the cowboys best ! I do, too. I wouldn't leave the house to see one of those so-called society sheiks. But just let the cowboys, like Tom Mix, "Buck" Jones, and "Hoot" Gibson, come along, and I would hike a mile_ or more, if necessary, to see them. N. G. Wilson, Connecticut. "Shore Leave" Makes a Hit I feel like shouting "Eureka!" "Carainba!" or what have you? The cause of this uncontrolled joy is Richard Barthelmess. In the picture "Shore Leave," Dick emerges as a tough and salty gob — quite a transition from his former wistful and forlorn roles — and makes the leap successfully. He should have our undying gratitude if other stars follow his example. Goldie Dresnick. 331 Olive Street, Kansas City, Missouri. The King of Hearts People can rave about Ronald Colman, Ben Lyon, Jack Gilbert, and all the rest, if they want to, but Richard Dix for me! I don't see how any one, after seeing him, could ever fall for any of the others ! But I'll admit I like Huntley Gordon and Lloyd Hughes awfully well. I think they're both darling, and I think Huntley was wonderful in "Never the Twain Shall Meet," but still I don't think they quite measure up to Richard, for Richard is the King of Hearts ! Barbara Royston. 186 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida. Each day I grow more in love with my King of Hearts ! He is wonderful, with his beautiful black hair and clear, bright eyes ! If there were more like him on the screen to-day, the movies would be a better place for every one. In a little kingdom by the sea, he dwells. He is noble, brave, good, kind, and handsome just like King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, long ago — "when knighthood was in flower!" He is the ruler in many hearts and most certainly in mine, and shall forever reign supreme there, for his name is — Lloyd Hughes ! June Minter. 43 Grove Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida. A Fan Who Wants to Know How easily American people can take to pictures featuring foreign actors and actresses, without knowing a thing about their lives. But let a poor, honest, hard-working, ambitious American studio extra get on the ladder to success, and the world has to know all about him. Who knows about Valentino, Negri, Nissen, Novarro, Menjou, Von Stroheim, Cortez? Where did they come from? Some brilliant fan, please tell me. Can they come over the ocean and jump right into pictures and get by with