Picture-Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1926)

100 What I Admire Most in a Man Continued from page 19 When Florence Vidor meets a member of the opposite sex, she intuitively takes in, at a glance, his teeth, collar, necktie, and shoes. If he measures up to her standard, he immediately interests her. "My pet annoyance," Miss Vidor says, "is the overpolite man, the one who is too profuse with his compliments. He insults your intelligence, and certifies to his insincerity. I have a particular aversion to the man who interrupts your conversation — the essence of ill manners. And I confess to having had more than one evening spoiled completely by the type of man that strives to attract attention to himself by ordering waiters about, speaking in a loud voice, and filling the room with raucous laughter, as though to say, 'Look at me ! Here I am !' Of all the male annoyances that exist, deliver me from this one ! Incidentally, I greatly admire the man who has a sense of humor. That gift can compensate for even the most homely face." Aileen Pringle is enthralled by "the man who dares !" "Every daughter of Eve," she says, insisting that she is no different from the rest, "admires a bit of recklessness in a man. The conservative chap who never takes a chance in business, in sports, or in life in general, is a comfortable sort of person, but he is never a Don Juan. Strangely enough, when a woman's advice is asked, she usually tells her husband to play safe in business matters. But deep down in her heart, she hopes he will not heed her advice, and will take the more daring course. By her advice she has alibied herself, and later may say, 'I told you so !' if his reckless plan falls through. But she admires the spirit which prompts a man to gamble with things in life." Eleanor Boardman voices the following : "I like a man who is honest. If I ask his opinion about my frock or my style of hair dress, I like for him to tell the truth about it. If he admires everything I wear, unreservedly, I set him down as a negative person who does not know his own mind. I like a man who will argue with me, and will not be downed by feminine cajolery." Jetta Goudal, exotic, temperamental little star, is decidedly a feminist in her opinions. Here is what she says : "No matter how hard a man tried, he never could please me more than by just considering me his equal. Little superficial courtesies are pleasant, but not when accompanied by the 'superior male' attitude. Let him pay me those little attentions and also really believe that I am his equal, and I will say that he has — oh, what do you call it ? — 'made a hit with me !' " Carmel Myers avers that, no matter how much of a feminist a woman may be, she likes to be treated as though she were a queen. "I have heard women say they did not want to be handled as though they were breakable," she says, "but a woman who repudiates admiration is one whose nature has been deadened by neglect. For it is woman's natural desire to be admired." Marie Prevost thinks she has found in her husband, Kenneth Harlan, the best qualities of a man. This bit of information I deduced during a very pleasant hour while lunching at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Miss Prevost is one of the few people who think before they speak. She never gives an offhand reply. That old platitude, "A woman who speaks before she thinks usually has something to think about afterward," could never be applied to her. She confided to me that what she admires most is a good disposition, thoughtf ulness, a sense of humor, and dependability. "I never am conscious of what a man wears, so long as he is carefully groomed," she says. "When I first met Kenneth, we didn't get along at all. In fact, I didn't care for him very much. But I later discovered his good qualities, and now see more of them every day, and I love and admire him for them." The cinema colony can testify that, since their marriage, Mr. Harlan and Miss Prevost have not once missed having lunch and dinner together. If Marie is working, Kenneth calls at the studio or on location for her, and vice versa. Their home life is said to be ideal. Alice 'Calhoun gave me a list of requirements that staggered me. She rattled them off like a comptometer. She wanted everything ! "The qualities I most admire in a man," she began slowly, but picking up speed as she progressed, "are aggressiveness, determination, sincerity, unselfishness, and ability to achieve a goal. He must be affectionate and tender. Physical and facial beauty doesn't matter. What I admire is beauty of soul, which is necessarily reflected in the face." Others of the widely known actresses summed up their ideals in a few words. Here is what some of them want in men : Seena Owen — understanding. Dorothy Mackaill — kindliness. Mary Astor — ability to do big things. Blanche Sweet — amiability. Madge Bellamy — enthusiasm and courage. Norma Shearer — intelligence. Madeline Hurlock — a strong sense of humor. Margaret Livingston — just a "Romeo lover." Anna May Wong — honor and good sportsmanship. Jacqueline Logan — the ability to be a pal. Patsy Ruth Miller — good breeding, dignity, poise. Continued from page 49 "Liabilities," she continued, turning to the second column. "LJnpleasant experiences — I have had more than my share. One producer who had me under contract died, and all of his business affairs were terribly mixed up, which kept me inactive for a long while. Then I showed a real gift for picking features that became involved in lawsuits. "And I never have been so fortunate as to have a big opportunity or to be in the cast of a spectacular sensation. When a film makes a hit, every one in it, even those in in l Star's Balance Shet conspicuous roles, shares the spotlight. My movies have always been in that mediocre class that might be labeled, 'They satisfy.' "I'm not well known here, personally. A lot of people in pictures have probably never heard of me. Influential friends are assets that I lack, because I have never gone around much in Hollywood, except to girls' clubs and little parties. Social success counts for a lot in getting engagements if you're free lancing — you appear at premieres wearing gorgeous gowns, and you meet directors and executives who are impressed with your personality. "Then, I have been ill quite a bit, frequently missing engagements. Being off the screen for a few months is almost fatal. "There, that's all I can think of. Have some more tea, and let to-morrow tell its own tale. It's fun, balancing, and it makes you stop and do some thinking, but after that, what ?" So saying, the serene and eye-filling Virginia, darkly beautiful and quite charming of manner, tossed her pencil aside and filled our cups again. What will the closing of her 1926 books show? Perhaps the brief addenda will read : "Home run."