Picture-Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1926)

102 Information, Please A department where questions are answered, advice is given, and many interesting phases picture making and pertinent side lights on the lives and interests of motion-picture players are By The Picture Oracle of motiondiscussed. 1~"\UANE. — Yes, our liking for cats does give us something in common, doesn't it? The minister in "The Road to Yesterday" was played by William Boyd. Roy d'Arcy made quite a hit in "The Merry Widow," in which he had his first real opportunity. He also played in Mae Murray's next picture after that, "The Masked Bride," and in "Pretty Ladies" and "Monte Carlo." He was married, by the way, last December 31st, to Laura Rhinock Duffy. I agree with you that Ronald Colman's work in "The Dark Angel" was among the best performances of the year. I can't settle your argument as to whether Jack Holt ever played in a picture without his mustache ; my memory doesn't go back that far, and there's no way of looking up a thing of that sort. V. Marguerite Darrell. — Vera Reynolds would doubtless be pleased to know that you think she is perfect. So few of us can aspire to perfection ! Miss Reynolds was born in Richmond, Virginia, twenty years ago. She is five feet one inch in height, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. She began her screen career by playing in Mack Sennett and Christie comedies ; her first real role in a feature picture was in "Prodigal Daughters," in which she played Gloria Swanson'3 sister and made quite a hit. Later she appeared in "Icebound," "The Spanish Dancer," "Shadows of Paris," and "Feet of Clay." Her newest pictures are "Without Mercy," "The Road to Yesterday," "Steel Preferred," "The Million Dollar Handicap," and "Silence." Vera is Mrs. Earl T. Montgomery. R. van Billiard. — I'm sorry, but I don't know that it is possible to obtain a complete continuity in the form used for making a picture. I don't imagine that any of the companies would be willing to send you one. _ Incidentally, if you are planning to submit a story to a film company, they prefer to receive it in synopsis form — about five hundred words telling the plot. All picture companies have their own continuity writers to adapt stories for use in their own way. Just Me. — So you think I am "Miss Mystery?" ' All the more reason for my keeping you guessing; that's the best thing a "miss" does. I have added Mary Astor's address to the list. The leading players in "The Old Homestead" were T. Roy Barnes, Fritzi Ridgeway, and Theodore Roberts. In "The Turmoil," the leads were played by George Hackathorne, Eileen Percy, Pauline Garon, and Eleanor Boardman. Shorty. — By the time I get all your questions answered, you probably will have grown considerably, and will have to call yourself "Lengthy" or "Longy" — it's up to you, of course, which you prefer. As to sending you my photograph, would you like the one I had taken at the age of two, holding a rattle in my hand — or perhaps it's a milk bottle (the picture is blurred and I can't be sure) ? Are there really one hundred and eight steps to the Charleston? That's unfortunate; I can't do more than five or six, and I refuse to devote the rest of my life to learning the rest. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., is probably about eighteen ; yes, he and Jesse Lasky, Jr., are both quite devoted to Betty Bronson; Betty says she doesn't play favorites, but lets them come to see her on alternate nights. Winston Miller is about nineteen, I think; he doesn't play in pictures very often. Perhaps you can reach him in care of his sister, Patsy Ruth. I can't tell you everything I know about all those stars you mention without getting out a special issue of Picture-Play for you. Ben Lyon was born in Atlanta, Georgia, about twenty-six years ago, and spent his boyhood in Baltimore, attending Baltimore Park School and the City College there. He played on the stage for some time before adopting a screen career. Ben isn't married. Neither is Richard Dix. Richard was born in St. Paul in 1894, and attended the University of Minnesota. He secured a part in a theatrical company which was playing in his neighborhood, and thus his theatrical career began; he played for two years in a Los Angeles stock company, and from there went into the movies. Ramon Novarro was born in Durango, Mexico, February 6, 1899 ; he also played on the stage — for five years — before Rex Ingram discovered his screen possibilities and gave him the opportunity which made him famous. Bashful Girl. — No, unfortunately you may not — in fact, I'm sure you won't — see your reply in the issue you asked for, but I'm doing my best. This is as soon as it could be done. Vivian Martin hasn't played in pictures for some time, but she is still charming her public on the stage. As this goes to press, she is playing on the Broadway stage in a show called "Puppy Love," at the Forty-eighth Street Theater, New York City. A few years ago, she appeared in a play on Broadway called "Just Mar ried," a most amusing farce. After its New York run, it had a long road tour which kept Vivian busy for several seasons. She also played it in England for a short time. So, you see, your favorite is still busily at work. Miss Montreal. — You make me feel exceedingly ignorant, because I really know nothing about Jack Boyle, the writer of "The Sporting Chance." You see, he is not a scenario writer by profession, but the author of many short stories, so he really does not come under my scope of knowledge, and I just don't happen to know him. Perhaps you could find some information about him in "Who's Who" — I haven't a copy to refer to, but your public library doubtless has one. A Norma Shearer Admirer. — There are plenty of those, I'm sure ! Norma was born in Montreal, about twenty years ago ; she isn't married. She posed for fashion photographs, so I am told, before playing in pictures, and got her start in movies in that way. She played in many pictures made by some of the smaller companies ; then she appeared in Universal's "Leather Pushers" series, and in several pictures for First National. Metro-Goldwyn saw her possibilities and signed her to a contract. Her new picture is "The Devil's Circus," first called "The Light Eternal," then "The Devilkin," and finally by its present title. One Girl from Covington, Kentucky. ■ — Only one? Gladys Walton doesn't play in pictures very often these days, it is true. She was married to Henry Herbert about three years ago, and had a baby daughter in May, 1924. So she has plenty to do, even without playing on the screen. She has worked, however, in a few pictures — one last year called "A Little Girl in a Big City." I don't know where you could reach her at present.. Gloria Fan. — No, I won't tell your right name ! Agnes Ayres retired from the screen and married S. Manuel Reachi, a member, I believe, of the Mexican embassy. I don't know where she can be reached now, as she has dropped' out of the movie world. George K. Arthur is under contract to Metro-Goldwyn, so can always be reached, of course, with that company. Viola Dana, as this goes to press, is playing in a Universal picture called "Crashing Timbers." Kenneth Harlan is featured with her. Gloria's new picture is "Fine Manners." Continued on page 120