Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1927)

Manhattan Medley 61 bination with intelligence, sureness and a sense of the fitness of things. In contrast with the earthy Jack Gilbert, Miss Gish tells you that her one aim in molding a characterization is But let her tell it in her own words. "When I am looking for material for myself, there is one desire uppermost. I want a story that has in it at least one or two moments of great beauty. I wanted 'The Scarlet Letter,' for example, because of that beautiful love scene played over the heads of the people." The Reverend Dimmesdale, if you remember, and Hester Prynne, so exquisitely portrayed by Miss Gish, pour out their souls to each other on the scaffolding in the square before crowds of derisive Puritans. "And 'The White Sister' appealed to me because of the spiritual beauty of the ceremonial when the young nun takes her vow. And in 'La Boheme' I hoped we would capture for a little the elusive beauty to be found in the Puccini opera." Jeanne d'Arc is a character whom Miss Gish hopes some day to portray, when the time, the gods, and the powers that be are propitious. "But my Jeanne must be perfect," she said. "I have read hundreds of books about her. I know her from the conceptions of dozens of different authors and commentators. To me she is a most delicate girl with amazing faith and perception. You know, she pleaded her own breach-of -promise suit, and that takes brains and stamina. And much as I love and admire Jeanne, I shall never play her until the picture can be made in France and a year can be spent in its preparation. Jeanne's whole life was beautiful in its faith, and we must present it perfectly or leave it undone." Miss Gish feels that the outdoor sports of the day are bound to produce an unfavorable result for films. "For," she. said, "how can the movies compete with the great out-of-doors, once people learn to appreciate and love the open air? It is all an evidence of the vitality of America that, throughout the country, every one is determined these days to get into knickerbockers and tweeds and romp about playing games. I am afraid the movie theaters will suffer terribly by comparison." A few days, stolen from her mother's bedside, were all Miss Gish could spare to spend in the great seething metropolis of the East. But Mrs. Gish, she reported, was recovering slowly from the stroke which had laid her *This is the screen name that has been given to Nathalie Barrache. Photo by Hommel Betty Bronson so caught the fancy of Richard Dix while playing with him in "Paradise for Two" that there were rumors of a budding low, and the Gish ghfs, who are devoted to their mother, feel they have every reason to rejoice. "Dorothy calls England 'home' now," said Lillian, "but we intend to win her back." The Charm of Vilma Banky. Some time ago an editor, a scenario writer, an actor, and a publicity man were having lunch together. "Tell me," said the editor, "who is the most charming woman on the screen ?" The other three all thought a while. "Mary Pickford," said the publicity man. "Renee Adoree," said the scenario writer. "Vilma Banky," said the actor. "She's my choice," said the editor. "She has that greatest of all gifts — womanly charm," he added. "So has Renee Adoree," said the scenario writer enthusiastically. "But hers is the charm of the gamin," said the editor. "Guess you're right," said the scenario writer. "You win." "How about Miss Pickford ?" queried the publicity man. "She is a fine woman, there is no doubt of that," said the editor, "but hers is the fineness of efficiency, intelligence, and competence. Miss Banky's charm is a subtle, winsome appeal which one associates inevitably with the truly feminine." "You're right," said the publicity man. "You win." The Goldwyns gave a party for Vilma one snowy afternoon during her visit to New York and, from the highways of the Eastern film world, the motion-picture elite came to pay tribute to this blond beauty who will tell you, "Oh, I am not beautiful but only fortunate in photographing well." Frances Howard Goldwyn, now retired from the screen, made a most lovely and gracious hostess, ce. and greeted every one from the sisters Diana Kane and Lois Wilson to the camera man who came to take their pictures. Miss Banky, seated on a tapestried sofa, held court from four to six, and Sam Goldwyn hovered solicitously about the tea table. "Such a charming girl," said the boss. Which makes it unanimous. Natli Barr Learns the Language. Those who have sobbed hysterically over foreign languages will appreciate the difficult task given the Russian Natli Barr* by the Lord High Chancellor of the First National enterprises. Continued on page 97