Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1927)

cs Hollywood High Lights Plaudits for the Great. D. W. Griffith is still an idol in Hollywood. His long separation from picture-making on the Coast did not diminish the fondness that every one feels for him. At a recent film banquet, his arrival was the occasion of a huge ovation. Every one present stood up to applaud him. Mary Pickford and Doug Fairbanks were similarly greeted. Still another to be applauded was — who do you suppose ? — none other than Will H. Hays. For all the kidding that he has had to stand for, Hays is recognized as having accomplished much for the progress of pictures. His advent into the film world, at any rate, was coincident with the beginning of those bigger productions which have so increased in numbers during the past few years. Lorelei, Oh, Lorelei! Who is to be Lorelei in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?" The question may be settled ere this is published, but at present writing it is causing much worry among Paramount officials. One of the problems debated is whether Lorelei need be blonde at all, for she can always wear a wig. The consensus of opinion seems to be that all she really needs is a "blond soul," quite regardless of the natural color of her hair. Among the betterknown actresses suggested for the role are Constance Talmadge, Laura La Plante, Clara Bow, Marie Prevost, and Phyllis Haver. Others considered include Edna Murphy, Leila Hyams, Sally Rand, and a host of newcomers. We predict that the girl who will finally win out will be one of the lesser-known players, or an entirely new player. That's as it should be. Lorelei, like certain famous historic characters, is too individual to be portrayed by any one who has become identified with other very prominent parts in pictures. Mary Pickford's New Film. It is more than a year since Mary Pickford completed her last picture "Sparrows," but she is now, at last, busy again. She is playing the role of a girl in a 5-and-10-cent store in her new film, which is called "My Best Girl." It was originally known as "Paradise Alley." Mary's leading man is "Buddy" Rogers, who learned everything there was to know about pictures in the Paramount School, and who does a big part in the airplane epic, "Wings." There was some talk to the effect that Mary might bob her hair for "My Best Girl," but nothing came of it. Here he is in person — the little ivhite monkey who steals all the scenes in 'Chan:;." And those are two of the Siamese children who take part in this jungle film. Never More Beautiful. Kathlyn Williams is a revelation these days. We saw her at a theater opening one evening Jiot long ago, and it occurred to us that she has never looked more beautiful than she does now. It will be good news to her fans that she is returning to pictures. She hasn't played in a film in fully a year and a half. Trouble, Trouble, Trouble. Breaks between various players and their companies continue to occur with surprising regularity., We hear that Betty Bronson is soon to leave Paramount, and Anna O. Nilsson has already separated from First National and was engaged immediately for a Cniversa". film. Dissatisfaction with roles seems to be at the bottom of these rifts. James Cruze, who directed "The Covered Wagon" and many other big successes for Paramount, is reported to be planning to become an independent producer. The attitude of the producing companies seems to be that they can very easily develop new talent these days, and that such new talent has just as good a chance of popularity as the old, and doesn't cost anything like as much in salaries. This attitude may lead to a mild, or perhaps even strenuous, war over the salary question between organizations and their actors. Another Recruit from the "Follies." Yet another "Follies" girl will be introduced shortly to the movie public. She is Avonne Taylor, who has been signed bv M.-G.-M. She will make her debut in support of Nor m a Shearer in "After Midnight." Miss Taylor is of a dark, statuesque type, and appeared on the stage in "Sally" and in "Kid Boots," as well as in the "Follies." She studied music in Europe. Harold Lloyd in New York. Harold Lloyd has broken a precedent. He is making his current picture, called "East Side," in New York. All of his previous films have been made in California, even the old "Lonesome Luke" comedies. Lloyd was very anxious to use certain locations in the Eastern metropolis, including Coney Island, and the Yankee baseball stadium. The plot of his new film revolves around the ownership of a horse-car line, which Harold saves for the girl. In the opening" sequences he plays a taxicab driver. His first intention was to play a newspaper reporter in his next film, but he has shelved that idea for the time being. [Continued on page 100]