Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1926 - Feb 1927)

Advertising Sectiox 11 Need Friends, Not Fans," written by Christine Murray, of London. I agree with Miss Murray in every way. Now, I have never been a great Valentino admirer — probably because I saw neither "The Four Horsemen" nor "The Sheik." But I admire his fans — pardon, friends — for standing by him. However, I, too, have an idol, ideal, or call her what you like. My idol is Gloria Swanson, and has been for several years. I admire many other players, but Gloria comes first, last, and all the time with me. I buy film magazines because they have pictures of, or articles about, her. I can't understand any one who knocks her. Of all the actresses, Gloria gets the most adverse criticism, as well as the other kind. I try to argue myself into indifference to this criticism by saying that all truly great personages have this to contend with, and it is really more complimentary than otherwise. But still it hurts. Are those who knock her blind, that they cannot see her ability, her sincerity, and kindliness? Under the same circumstances, she would never knock them, I'm sure. But, as I have said before, I simply can't understand _ any one who would want to knock her.' So here I am. right where I •started. Gloria's True Friexd. Oriana Kimler, 1826 Arcade Building, St. Louis, Mo. Fans Are Better Than Friends. Miss Christine Murray's letter in the June Pigturz-Play was rather forceful, to say the least. But evidently Miss Murray is familiar with only one sort of fan, and she should remember that there are exceptions to every rule. Because I am one of John Gilbert's fans, I go to see Ronald Colman to see if there is any similarity between them, and seeing what a fine actor Colman is. I go again and again, whenever he appears. Now, there are fans such as Miss Murray described, but they are the exception rather than the rule. " Persons who have been movie fans for years are likely to have an admiration for certain stars, and they always stick to them. Tom Meighan has, perhaps, one of the largest fan followings, and yet he appears in consistently bad pictures. If his fans were such as Miss Murray described, he would have been deserted long ago. She referred to Valentino as an example. At the peak of his meteoric career, he was a type and, as such, was admired "by an empty-headed lot of fans who wanted to see him in only one kind of performance. As soon as he attempted a different sort of role, they didn't like it, but his true fans did. and still do. Gloria Swanson had an overzealous press agent, and through the newspapers he convinced the people that they liked her when they really didn't. Reaction has now set in, but do you see those fans who liked her before her sudden popularity deserting? Most assuredly not! Friends, as Miss Murray says, excuse mistakes and bad films, but if there is no improvement after a period, they leave ; but the fans are still there, and it is only when a star becomes hopeless that they leave, and then regretfully. And so I maintain that fans are needed by stars much more than friends, because a fan will excuse more than a friend. Johx Allex. 230 Pine Avenue, McKeesport, Pa. Point Out Her Mistake. I'm not usually a grouch, but after seeing Jetta Goudal spoil two pictures, I feel as though I have a grudge! "The Coming of Amos" was absolutely wrecked for me, because Jetta Goudal played the heroine. Poor Rod La Rocque deserved a better fate. Also Ricardo Cortez, when he played opposite her in "Spanish Love." I don't wish to appear unkind to Miss Goudal, however. I'd like to know the opinion of others about her. There doesn't seem to be much discussion about her in Picture-Play. Perhaps, of course, I'm not in a position to judge, and if this is the case, well, I wish some kind person would point out my mistake. Before closing, I wish to sa. that I'm not an absolute grouch, and here's a good word for Vilma Banky. She's exceptionally pretty, has a beautiful figure, and is a splendid actress. Here's wishing her the best! Juxe YVhitehurst. "Glengarth" Ringway, Cheshire, England. Do Interviewers Exaggerate? As a prelude, let me confess that I read Picture-Play monthly with avid interest. As a postlude, let me add that when I've turned the last page, I think "What's the use?" Don't interviewers ever tire of writing gushing reports of screen folk, writing about each player as though there never was such another person in the world quite like this particular one, about whom all the world is simply wild, and who is beautiful, handsome, magnetic, weird, odd, languid, and the dearest person that ever lived? In the midst of writing an interview, don't they sometimes pause and think, "Oh, this is the bunk?" One month, we read that Tessie Twinkle is the most charming, delightful, talented, and alluring creature on earth, who has all the world at her feet. And next month, it's Barbara Cutie who holds this enviable position. And next month — but why go on? Some one is always being proclaimed the one, some one is always being nearly annihilated with admiration at suchand-such a premiere, some one is always being announced as the most promising actress in years. We read it, and we like it, but I wonder if we aren't occasionally confronted with the thought, "How much is there in it?" Carl A. Buss. Jefferson, Wis. Richard Dix, the Athlete. Recently, I read a notice to the effect that Paramount had purchased a big football story for Richard Dix. It is called "The Quarter Back" and a well-known sport writer of New York has written the scenario for it. This all sounds exceedingly good to me for I feel that this popular actor will feel right at home in such a picture and that he will score a brilliant hit. Not many of you folks may know it, but it is a fact, nevertheless, that Richard was once the most popular player on the Central High School football team of his home town, St. Paul. And it was he who, in a crucial series for the State championship, ran the gantlet of the "stone-wall defense" of the opposing backfield, and scored the winning touchdown. After this brilliant piece of work, he was carried from the field on the shoulders of his fellow students. This is all history, and if I hadn't said anything about it, few would have known about it, except those who saw it all happen back in those school days in St. Paul. For, being such a modest, unassuming young man, Richard Dix himself wouldn't be likely to speak of it. 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