Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1927)

58 Hollywood High Lights Ann Rork, who is appearing in First Nation?l pictures. It seems to be taken very much for granted that the two will be married ere long. Bobby and May McAvoy agreed a few months ago to disagree, after having been frequently reported to be engaged. Another Potential Star Stardom is predicted for young Molly O'Day as a result of her work in "The Patent Leather Kid," with Dick Barthelmess. She has the feminine lead in that picture, which is supposed to be a super-super-special. Molly, as you may know, is the sister of Sally O'Neil. Her role in "The Patent Leather Kid" is so sympathetic that it should make audiences everywhere weep. That sort of part naturally helps a girl a lot in her climb toward stardom. Watch Rod's Smoke Now it has been all decided. Jack Gilbert won first place among the actors in a recent popularity contest, and Ronald Colman second. And Vilma Bank} led the actresses. We personally feel that Rod La Rocque, since his work in "Resurrection," has a good chance to become a candidate for top-notch honors. We mean the La Rocque that is seen in the first part of the picture. The beard that he wears in the latter part looks too much like a shaving brush ever to enhance his popularity. We hope that beard wasn't his own idea. There's a Reason If for any reason the lovemaking of Adolphe Menjou in "Service for Ladies" seems more ardent than usual, there is a reason. Said reason being that he is, to all appearances, very much smitten with Kathryn Hill, who plays the lead in that picture. It is said that Menjou and Miss Hill are to be married, though they continue persistently to deny that they are engaged. A Dressy Lady Crook Evelyn Brent is reveling in her latest crook role. In "Underworld," she is queen of the bad men in a large city. "I like this part not only because it is a good part, but also because I for once have a chance to wear beautiful clothes," she says. "Most of the good parts that I have had have been disappointing sartorially, because I have usually appeared in the rough clothes of the girl bandit. I don't know just why girl bandits are supposed to wear rough clothes, but they always do in pictures." Evelyn is the only woman of importance in "Underworld." Her role is the best she has had since she has been with Paramount. Antiques? Nonsense! When is an antique not an antique? Not long ago, Mae Murray stirred up a flurry by suing a woman for $30,000 for alleged misrepresentation in the sale to her of certain house furnishings. She claimed that many pieces that she had bought as genuine antiques were nothing but cheap imitations. Her house, located on the road between Hollywood and Santa Monica, formerly belonged to Jack Donovan, who has played at various times in pictures. The Hazards of the Movies The first time that we ever saw Tom Mix on a set. his face was cut and bleeding. In a scene for a certain picture he had held a small wine glass in his hand while it was splintered by a shot from a revolver. This was all a part of the story, but Mix had to suffer for it. He had to suffer again just recently, while making "The Outlaws of Red River," and he came mighty near losing his eyesight. On this occasion, his eye was peppered with powder from a blank cartridge — the revolver having been accidentally pointed in the wrong direction when the trigger was pulled. Tom had a very mean time of it as a result, but has now recovered his vision unimpaired. Another Engagement There are whispers that Edna Murphy, who first won attention some years ago in "Over the Hill," will soon be wed. She has admitted her engagement to Mervyn Le Roy, a clever young gag man, who is now in the process of becoming a director. Le Roy has contributed many funny bits of comedy to Colleen Moore productions. Who Shall Have the Child? Come what may, Dick Barthelmess insists he won't give up his little daughter. His former wife, Mary Hay, recently married an English rubber merchant named Vivian Bath, and plans to reside in Singapore. And it has been said that she may ask Dick for the custody of little Mary Hay Barthelmess. But Dick, when interviewed on the subject, diplomatically stated that he thought the climate of California would be better for the youngster than that of the Straits Settlements. He is verv devoted to the child. Ivan Moskine, hero of "Michael Strogoff," wears a slave bracelet that puts all others to shame. No More Two-Reelers for Ben Ben Turpin, hero of many wall-eyed comedies, has decided to quit two-reelers. He has done ten years of service in them with the Sennett organization, but now he is going to take a try at free-lancing. That undoubtedly means you will soon see him as comedy relief in feature-length pictures. Ben will be good, you can bet. He is a real veteran in making the world laugh. Norma's Next Film Just a hint has been thrown out that Norma Talmadge may appear in "The Darling of the Gods," and we cannot but feel that it would be an excellent vehicle for her. "The Darling of the Gods" was, in its day, a very famous stage piece. Blanche Bates made a great hit in it. The play, which is laid in Japan, affords much dramatic interest.