Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1927)

What the Fans Think 13 the book we enjoyed and not a hashed-up mess of tried-and-true situations whose sole connection with the book is the title. I understand that Air. Brenon is to make "Sorrel & Son," and I am eagerly looking forward to it. The "Beau Geste" cast was splendid. My favorite character in the book was Digby, and no one could have been better in that part than Neil Hamilton. He perfectly realized the character as I had imagined him. Dulcie Scott. Spokane, Washington. Hurrah for the Foreigners, and Hurrah for America! Y\ 'here has the spirit of tolerance, for which we Americans are famed, gone? Because a few foreign motion-picture artists come over here to show us their idea of art, we rave about a "foreign invasion," and many of us refuse to attend pictures in which they appear. What difference does it make where a player was born? If an artist's work merits praise, give it to him, regardless of his nationality. I call myself an American, yet my mother is Spanish and French, and my father is an Arabian and Egyptian. Do you think that, because of my ancestry, I have no right to call myself an American ? May I ask — how many of you have a better right? You say you're native born. But what about your father and his father? Where were they born? It gives me great pleasure to comment on a new star appearing on the horizon — Richard Walling. Why, I could write volumes about him, but I shall restrict myself to a few— very few— words. Dick Walling is everything that's fine and sincere; he represents the flower of modern American youth. No, I'm not trying to make him appear superhuman — I should say not ! Dick probably does the Black Bottom, an' all that sort of thing— but that only makes him the more lovable. I read somewhere that he was "a treat to sophisticated, type-weary eyes"— gosh, I think he's a treat to every one ! Marie Yahia. 256 Twenty-fourth Avenue, San Francisco, California. Who's Loony Now? Why aren't there any Americans on the screen_ to-day? Because Americans have no artistic sense. Talent comes only from the foreign countries. Take, for instance, Greta Nissen, undoubtedly the greatest actress in the world. Although she has never been able to learn a word of the English language, you can understand every word of English she utters from the silent" screen. Greta Garbo outshadows the native actresses so far. Most of them will be forced to retire within a few months, because why should the public go to see such ugly women when the ethereal Garbo can be seen? Compare Norma Talmadge with Lya de Putti. Identically the same type, but Norma has to go through all kinds of contortions with her eyebrows to put herself over, while Lya just holds still and gives everything to you by thought transmission. OSHPREADIN DE BoOL. 432 Monroe Street, Topeka, Kansas. A Rhapsody on Vilma. Will the fans all please bear with me while I "express myself" for a few lines? I am not here to settle any weighty questions, such as "who can act and who can't, and who is good looking and who isn't." I'm just going to talk for a while, and the subject of my rhapsody — yes. I'm afraid it's going to be a rhapsody, no matter how sanely I start — is an actress who, in the short space of three pictures and a personal appearance, has come to mean more to me than any other actress on the screen. But I must make an exception. There is one very delightful lady who always has been, and I guess always will be, my ideal. In fact, so long have I admired this latter lady that I kind of take her for granted, and know that, while others may come and go, she will always remain far above them in my estimation. Until recently, no one had even begun to attack her position. But now, without any warning, here is Vilma Banky, filling all my thoughts, even causing me to put my thoughts on paper. But there is room enough in my heart for the two of them. It didn't really take Vilma three pictures to accomplish this — one was enough. That was "The Eagle." The other two, "The Son of the Sheik" and "The Winning of Barbara Worth," just added fuel to the fire, and the personal appearance was the climax. I must tell you about that personal appearance. I went to see Miss Banky twice, because the first time, I was near the last row in the balcony, and got only an impression of gorgeous golden hair and a lovely voice speaking decidedly broken English with a delightful accent. The second time I went, I was almost under the nose of the gentleman who played the trombone in the orchestra. This time my impression of Vilma was that she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen, with a lovely personality, and a certain indefinable something that grips your heart and makes a lump come into your throat. To my mind, Vilma Banky hasn't "It" as I understand "It." But she has something much better and so much more worth having. "Womanliness" is the word, I guess, with charm and a lovely character added to the superlative degree. I have but one complaint to make against Vilma — it's too long between her pictures. Helen E. Hunt. 843 Pingree Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. A Champion for Lya de Putti. I am writing in defense of Lya de Putti, who has been so grievously denounced by critics all over the country, merely because she has been cast in vamp roles. Picture Play has not been so strong against her as other periodicals — another proof of its superiority. Anyway, I know of . several ardent fans who are all for the petite Hungarian beauty who has been so ill treated by American producers and critics. Too, there is another foreigner, Greta Garbo, who has succeeded admirably in siren roles, so why can't Fraulein de Putti? Dan Rohrig. Harmony, Indiana. No Wonder Lois Rebelled. My admiration for Lois Wilson increased when I read of her game fight for her rights. Too long has this splendid actress' worth been hidden. Because she was sweet, easily pleased, and uncomplaining, her company gave her listless, ga-ga roles, one after another. New actresses were found, foreign stars imported, and all catered to, and given fat parts. Unknowns were helped forward— every one seemed to be getting a big chance, while patient, sweet Lois Wilson was forgotten. Is it any wonder she rebelled? Now that she is free, at last, to do the kind of parts she wants, I'm sure all her fans are with me in wishing her every success. Betty Tucker. 1653 Masson Street, San Francisco, California. From a Disgusted Fan. I have studied Milton Sills for quite a few years. In "The Sea Hawk," he played his part so naturally that even a child could perceive that he was histrionically excellent. But one cannot be expected to make a "silk purse out of a sow's ear," even though one tries ever so hard. Had I been Milton Sills, when they picked on me to play in "The Sea Tiger," I'd have put up an awful kick. Imagine the last-named outrage being advertised as greater than "The Sea Hawk." An utterly silly, worthless film ! What little sea scenes it contained must have been directed by a yodeler from the Swiss Alps. Mr. Sills tried his best to transform this picture from a "sow's ear" into something that could be viewed with pleasure by the public, but what could even he do with such a vehicle? Disgusted. San Antonio, Texas. This Furious Fan Declares War. Gee ! It makes me furious to read some of the criticisms that appear in this department of Picture Play. Some time ago a fan wrote some terribly catty things about Constance Talmadge. Indeed, the remarks were so unusually mean that the fan signed himself, or herself, just "Anti-Constance." And this person was not satisfied with panning only Connie; there was also a list of other stars whose presence on the screen could not be accounted for by "Anti-Constance. " Lawrence Gray's name appeared in the list — and he's my favorite, so naturally I am declaring war against that rash writer. "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em," in which Lawrence Gray starred, was considered by a certain critic one of the six best pictures of the month. Mr. Gray's presence on the screen is easily and simply explained' — the fans demand his wonderful acting and pictures. Martha Roudebush. 6130 St. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. She Can't See Too Much of Leatrice. I want to express something of my admiration for Leatrice Joy. She is quite the loveliest person I have ever seen, besides being one of the screen's most splendid actresses. I saw her in "For Alimony Only" twice each night during the week the picture was shown in one of our local theaters, and I should like nothing better than to see it for the whole of another week. I could watch Leatrice Joy in a picture seven nights out of the week for fifty-two weeks out of the year, and still enjoy her more than anything else I can think of. I should like to see her play in a picture with Ronald Colman. That would be perfect. She has the most beautiful mouth, set off by the most charming dimples in all the world. I am making a collection of pictures of Leatrice Joy and Ronald Colman, and it any of the readers have pictures of them they would sell, I would be only too glad to buy them. Faye Bush. 1218 Fourth Avenue, St. Joseph, Missouri. Watch Those Close-ups, Ben. Speaking of impressions of the stars, I don't give two snaps for the opinions of interviewers. Maybe that is because I think they are not sincere. I'm for the opinions of fans who have talked with their favorites. That's one reason why I scan Continued on page 114