Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1927 - Feb 1928)

What the Fans Think 11 ance, she must be blind. He has one of the finest physical builds on the screen today. His face is well filled out, his features good. Colorless? If that means his acting, Miss Partos is greatly in error. Any one versatile is certainly colorful. Miss Partos should remember that Mr. Nagel has not had the benefit of the sparkling, vivid atmosphere that most of Mr. Gilbert's pictures have lent him. He has had to put sparkle and life into mediocre pictures that were saved only by his great acting ability. Did Miss Partos see the pathos and sincerity of Mr. Nagel's performance in "Memory Lane?" Don't tell me that wasn't finished, and real. Is Conrad Nagel a one-track actor? No! I wonder how many were fortunate enough to witness "There You Are" and "Tin Hats." I happened to be present in a crowded house when I saw "There You Are," and the laughter that shook that theater was such as I hadn't heard since Douglas MacLean played in "The Hottentot." Mr. Gilbert expresses passion in his love scenes, Mr. Nagel tenderness. They are both artists, and both possess a great amount of genius. John is striking, Conrad appealing and manly. Conrad forever ! Linda Lane. 11 Western Avenue, Augusta, Maine.^ As I am a very ardent Conrad Nagel fan, I am so pleased over the letters about him that have appeared in recent numbers of Picture Play. There was also, however, some time ago, a short letter from Lillian Partos that made me a little sore. It was about Conrad's getting his just deserts, and then when I started to read a later issue, lo, and behold I found Miss Partos in fits because L. J. S. had dared praise the most wonderful and talented actor on the screen to-day. That made me real sore "Anemic, pallid, coloress Conrad Nagel, hoisted about by strings" Well, if that is all Miss Partos knows about good acting, I hope she goes in one grand fit and never comes out of it. It is true that Conrad has not had very colorful parts of late, but given a real part, like his Paul in "Three Weelcs," he can act perfectly, and certainly without the aid of strings ! His "Three Weeks" was even greater than John Gilbert's "Flesh and the Devil." Although I like Gilbert very much, I like Conrad Nagel a lot better and I hope M.-G.-M. will wake up and give him something more worthy of his great talent. I hope they give him some sweet, tender love story that our boyish, lovable, irresistible Conrad can play to perfection. I think he deserves our loyalty and support not only because he is such a fine actor, but also because he is such a fine character — a loyal citizen, a wonderful husband and father, and a stanch member of the' church of his choice. Mae Schepeck._ 1715 Stephenson Street, Marinette, Wisconsin. May I add another bouquet to that of "Miss Bookkeeper's" in praise of Conrad Nagel ? He is indeed a splendid actor, and can always be relied upon to portray his parts in a smooth and finished way. But, of late, he has been, alas, the victim of poor stories. While I'm about it, I should like to say a word of praise for George Cooper I make it a rule to see that clever comedian at every opportunity. I've followed his work for years and have noticed that it's only recently that the directors have given him parts worthy of his delightful personality. More power to you, George ! Now, I must disagree with Miss Bookkeeper. First, Conrad Nagel is certainly not what she terms ordinary. Conrad can be as convincing in full dress as in khaki and hob-nailed shoes. Second, being blond is not a handicap to him, and when the Latin craze dies out, she will find that it's not only the gentlemen who prefer blondes. Frank Dane. "The Gorilla" Co. Please Don't Spoil Our Clara. There is only one actress on the screen whom I have ever truly admired. There are those whom I rave about for a few days after seeing their pictures, such as Bebe Daniels, Norma Shearer, and Colleen Moore, but the only one whom I continue to adore, though I have not seen her for ages, is Clara Bow. That adorable, devil-may-care attitude of hers is what won her such immense popularity. So I certainly was furious and extremely sorry when I read an article in one of New York's newspapers declaring that Elinor Glyn, in her direction of the photoplay called "It," had changed our sparkling, tousle-headed Clara into a commonplace vamp — that she had made Clara cameraconscious and had totally spoiled her. Now I have not seen "It" as yet, but it hardly seems credible to me that my adored, natural-acting Clara could be made so self-conscious — no, not even by half a dozen Elinor Glyns. I'll never believe it until I see it with my own eyes. But should it turn out to be the truth, I shall always despise the woman who spoiled our darling Clara. In a recent edition of Picture Play I saw a picture of Clara in evening dress and holding a little papillon dog. Her hair was straight and carefully combed into place. She didn't look herself. Please, Clara, take off the evening dress and put on a sports sweater, muss up your hair, and carry a tennis racket ! You are a peach 1 Flora H. London. 29 Lansdowne Avenue, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. "It" Did Not Have "It." I'm writing in disapproval of the Paramount production of Elinor Glyn's "It." In addition to the usual Glyn story, it had, as an added insult. Her Majesty, Madame Elinor Glyn herself. Her entrance into the film was extremely silly, and caused much amusement among the audience on the night I saw it. Not even the exellent acting of Clara Bow, Antonio Moreno, Jacqueline Gadsden, and others could offset the commonplace plot of "It." It seemed to me, by the way, that Jacqueline Gadsden stole the feminine acting honors from Clara Bow. Miss Gadsden should be given more notice. Will the producers ever heed the clamor of the fans and reissue the old masterpieces, especially Rudy's and Wally Reid's pictures? They would certainly make more money than the cheap trash being turned out now. Let's have once more "The Sheik," Nazimova's "Camille," "Passion," "Othello," "Monsieur Beaucaire," "Male and Female," "The Three Musketeers," "Blood and Sand," "Foolish Wives," "The Alerry-Go-Round," "Abraham Lincoln," "The Marriage Circle," and others. V. Keith Sutton. Bethany, Pennsylvania. Something Wrong Somewhere. In recent years I have read in,iumerable articles in various movie magazines advising pretty girls and handsome young men to keep away from Hollywood because there was more than enough talent already there. Some even went to the trouble to depict hundreds of starving, penniless, and downtrodden youths roaming the streets in search of odd jobs here and there. Other articles, with the aid of pictures, showed immense mob scenes, stating that it was only through great good fortune that one was able to earn five or, at the most, ten dollars for a single day's employment in this manner Recently I read that the Central Casting Office had closed its door to further candidates for the screen. Is it that the producers out there are all blind, or am I suffering from mental derangement? There is something wrong somewhere. I often wonder how much longer the American public is going to pay good money to see a lot of old-timers doing flapper roles, or even to watch some Scandinavian, Italian, Spaniard, Swede, or any other type of foreigner earn a salary, which, if compared to that of our chief executive, would seem ridiculous. Would it not be far better to send the Garbos, the Nissens, the De Puttis and others, back where they belong and give the people of our own country a fair deal? Would it not be better to cast Mae Busch, Mae Murray, Gloria Swanson, Anita Stewart, and many more like them, in mother roles, and give us more stars like Clara Bow, Olive Borden, or Alberta Vaughn, who have youth, talent, and good looks? It is my firm belief that there is quite a bit of "housecleaning" that ought to be done pretty soon out there in Hollywood. Before closing, I want to present imaginary bouquets to Holmes Herbert, Charles Delaney, and Lon Chaney, of course. Then there are bricks for Ricardo Cortez and Lya de Putti. Now I'm through, for a while. Donald H. McCampbell. 1010 South Forty-fifth Street, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One Nice Thing About "Picture Play." One thing I like very much about Picture Play is the way it helps along beginners who show promise. I have made it my hobby to pick out the youngsters playing bits who seem worth watching and then I follow their careers, waiting to see if they prove true to the promise they show. One of these was Natalie Kingston. I consider her one of our future stars, and a very bright one. I was very glad to see her at last given featured parts, and wish her all the luck possible. Pauline Goodwin. 2714 Bainbridge Avenue, New York City, New York. Criticism of "Picture Play." I thoroughly agree with George Patterson, who stated that entirely too much space in Picture Play is devoted to actresses practically unknown to the public, such as Carmelita Geraghty and Julanne merit, they would probably be too busy making pictures to attend every party in Hollywood, as these two seem to do. Picture Play has many interesting sections, but from now on I hope it will be filled with pictures and news of the live wires. Harry M. Smythe. Brooklyn, New York. Two Indignant Replies to Miss Zebroe. This is from a very indignant fan in answer to a letter from Mary L. Zebroe in a recent issue I think that Allene Ray is one of the most beautiful actresses on the screen, and Miss Zebroe said that she is not beautiful. And Allene most emphatically can act! If Miss Zebroe would