Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1926)

10 What the Fans Think Continued from page 8 I witnessed a curious scene at the movies one evening. A villain was torturing the heroine, who was crying out for help. A Hindu fan was so much impressed that he jumped on the stage, drew a knife from his pocket, and attacked the villain ! He damaged the screen, of course, and only when other fans shouted out, did he realize his mistake and return to his seat, very much abashed. He explained that "something in him" had made him forget the actual situation and act foolishly. S. B. Banerjea. Bose Lane, Beadon Street, Calcutta, India. Praise from Friend Husband. I wish to praise Richard Dix for his portrayal of his role in "The Vanishing American." My husband, to whom all movie actors look alike, remarked on our way home from the movie, that "That young fellow must be an Indian or he could not have acted the part so well." Those who do not know my husband's idea of most movies cannot appreciate that compliment as I do. Jean. Pittsburgh, Pa. John Gilbert for Frank Merriwell. This is from a fourteen-year-old boy who is interested both in the movies and the Frank Merriwell series of stories. ' I suppose every one has heard of the Merriwell books, and now I am wondering — wondering — if the Merriwell stories were ever brought to the screen, who would play Frank. Who would secure the unanimous vote of all the boys in the U. S. A. to enact the role of Frank on the screen? For my part I wouldn't vote for one of those Latin sheiks, who would transform Burt L. Standish's dauntless Frank into an Elinor Glyn passionate hero. I'd pick an American with a perfect face and physique, a person you can trust ; and John Gilbert, to me, comes the nearest to these standards. I know Gilbert has gained a reputation for a fiery, ardent lover, but that doesn't mean he can't portray Frank. He's my ideal Frank — as he was, back in the days when he was playing for Fox. I have never changed my opinion on that subject, and I never will. Thomas Sullivan. Worcester, Mass. Our Films Are" Now Appearing in Germany. Achtung! Aehtung! Here is Berlin on the air ! Did you know that we are having some quite recent films imported from the United States? Well, "The Phantom of the Opera" was first shown here and in other German cities in November. Wasn't it thrilling? It has been doing fine business, and at present, Warner Brothers' "Kiss Me Again" is at the Ufa-Gloria-Palast, one of the best and most fashionable movingpicture theaters here, something like the Mark Strand or the CapitolMn New York. And speaking of names, we also have a Capitol Theater, and next week we will have a chance to see Chaplin's "The Gold Rush." How glad I am ! In my fancy, I go back to those days when I saw, down in Mexico, "Shoulder Arms," "A Dog's Life," and "Pay Day," each of which I .saw three or four times. I also had a fine time seeing a light comedy with Reginald Denny in it. The name in German was "Why Shouldn't He?" and he had Gertrude Olmstead as his pretty leading lady. Betty Compson and Raymond Griffith made a delightful team in "Paths to Paradise." A critic here said that German scenario writers should learn something from this picture. Other current releases are "The Man Without Conscience," "Six Shots in the Night" — with Louise Dresser and jack Pick ford — and a Fox production called something more or less like "The Club of Destruction," with Harrison Ford, Mahlon Hamilton, and Claire Adams. Douglas and Mary, Chaplin, Griffith, Harold Lloyd, Norma and Constance Talmadge, are the most popular players. So is Tom Mix, who took the town by storm last summer. Buster Kcaton is making a hit in "The Navigator." But I miss Tom Meighan's pictures, for in the eight months since I arrived here, I haven't seen one of his films. He seems to be quits unknown here ! I hope that "Tartufi," a German film with Emil Jannings, Werner Krauss — who may be remembered as Doctor Caligari — and Dil Dagover, happens to be shown over there, and if it is, don't miss it! Herbert Henry Bunz. Friedrichstr. 130, Berlin, Germany. A Boost for "Picture-Play." Hip, hip, hurray ! ! ! Why this unseemly hilarity, you may ask? Why, just my quiet little way of expressing approval of Picture-Play. It's getting "bigger and better" every day in every way. I do think Picture-Play has the right idea in giving us such splendid articles as Dorothy Manners' "Sketchbook," and that novel idea of interviews by Carmel Myers. Even the fan letters in Picture-Play are much, much, more interesting than in any other magazine. I don't like a magazine chuck full of pictures and hardly any reading matter, for, after all, you pay your two bits and you don't want to see and read all there is in a magazine in about five minutes. Nor do I like too many interviews, for I read only the interviews with stars I am interested in. Besides, I believe I know the life story, anyway, of every actor and actress on the screen to-day— almost. So news of just little everyday happenings to the stars, such as we find in Dorothy's "Sketchbook" or Alargaret Reid's experiences as an extra, just appeal to me wonderfully. Keep up the good work ! E. Carmason. Box 314, St. Clair, Pa. Let Us Say What We Think. In a recent issue, Mr. George Canfield made a request that the fans should not speak so plainly. I disagree with him. I see no reason why people should not say just what they think on the subject of the movies or anything connected with them, especially in the department of a magazine that is made for that purpose. He also says, "Nothing is wrong with the movies." One might just as well say that nothing is wrong with politics, the economic system, with contemporary literature, or anything else. M. W. New York City. A Fan Who Resents Jack Gilbert's Attitude. Your interview with John Gilbert in the March Picture-Play was most interesting. The ideas of that morose indivifual on the prying ways of the public were very bitter. However, in my poor opinion, that young man is very much in need of a verbal castigation, and I most assuredly would like to administer it. It is quite evident that life has given him a drubbing, and that he would like to strike back at that playful jade through the dear public. We must not inquire as to the parting of his hair, the tying of his shoes, and the dishes that make up his breakfast. Why? Mr. Gilbert has an aversion toward giving pleasure other than through his "art." But honestly, ridiculous as it must sound, those little personal items do give pleasure. I suppose a psychoanalyst could tell him why. However, I'd like a try at explaining. What fairy tales are to children, the movies are to the masses leading humdrum lives — magical, wondrous things, changing the drab of our lives into gossamer dreams that last long after the picture has been seen. With that effect in mind, it is not difficult to understand how utterly impossible it is to be impersonal. We cannot and do not admire a glorious bit of work because it has been put over by a fine actor, but rather because it has been put over by a personality we love, whether the acting is up to standard or not. So the mere fact that he must part his hair — even as you and I — is a thing of interest, bringing him closer to us, making him almost a personal friend. Mr. Gilbert appears to see us as buzzards awaiting tidbits to devour, not as kindly, warm-hearted folks, interested in him both personally and professionally, hoping he will have fine pictures for his fine talents, rooting for all we are worth for his personal happiness. And this prying is just a very human desire to share in it. Many of us travel from the cradle to the grave unwept, unhonored, and unsung, with lives as unhappy, and bitterness as corroding as that which has filled jhe life of Air. Gilbert, without his compensating anodyne. After all, Fate is handing John a bouquet for every brickbat she threw. Why deny us our crumbs from his overflowing hoard? Nancy C. Smith. 735 West One Hundred and Eighty-third Street, New York City. Let's Not Label Gilbert Please, fans, let's not label John Gilbert "The Perfect Lover." He is perfect in such a role, that is true, but he is perfect in any role, and how unfair it is to label him, especially when he does not desire it. The Afarch Picture-Play contained a surprisingly interesting, and unusually enlightening article on John Gilbert's desires, his attitude toward his work and toward the public; and I thoroughly enjoyed it and approved of his point of view. A'lr. Gilbert has reached the height of fame because he not only could deliver the goods but consistently did deliver them. Whether as an imprisoned, unkempt count, a Russian aristocrat, a snob, or a doughboy, Gilbert has given us his best, and it isn't very sportsmanlike of us, the fans who are all for Gilbert, to allow him to be -labeled "The Perfect Lover." AIrs. Olive Thompson. 726 West Forty-seventh Street, Los Angeles, Calif. From a True Gilbert Fan. I am very indignant ! To stand by and see my screen idol, John Gilbert, insulted is more than I can stand, so I am rising in his defense. He is a wonderful actor, and imagine any one saying, "What the fans can see in Gilbert is more than I can comprehend." Such is the statement made by Amy Anderson in the February issue of "What the Fans Think." Just one word more — remember this, Amy, if every one wrere like you, what a funny world it would be ! A True Gilbert Fan. Tacoma, Wash. Do American and English Fans Differ? I like your magazine, but every time I read it, I'm amazed at the difference between the Americans and the English. Americans don't seem capable of admiring a cinema star for more than a few brief weeks, or else it is that the fan magazines won't let them, because the fans in their Continued on page 12