Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1928)

Hollywood High Lights 71 The Washburns' separation is very dismaying, since they were wed fourteen years, and have two children. Mrs. Washburn, who is known professionally as Mabel Forrest, frequently appears on the stage in Los Angeles. Both Bryant and she have always been very popular in the film colony. D'Arcy's suit was not without a kick-back. His wife sued him in turn, charging him with being temperamental, arrogant, and abusive. We always thought that temperament signified some evidence of genius highly cherished by the artistic, but in Hollywood it seems to symbolize some sort of diabolic domestic tyranny that is almost as bad as mayhem or murder. Marie Acquires a Blond Soul. "Who is that blond girl over there? She looks like Phyllis Haver." More than one person made that comment anent Marie P'revost during the time she was playing in "The Godless Girl." And one evening at a theater, we stood right alongside of Marie and didn't recognize her. . Marie dyed her hair a dazzling golden, for the DeMille production. She might have worn a wig, but DeMille didn't favor this. He thought it would be better for her to acquire a "blond soul," as well as blond hair, while she was at work on his film. So Marie had her dark tresses properly altered, but secretly averred that she hated it. The resemblance to Phyllis was really startling. When they were together, they looked like sisters. Romantic Evidence. "She is going back to work, but please do not say anything about her career." This cryptic announcement, made by Madge Bellamy's husband, Logan S. Metcalf, might be taken to mean that Fox's popular comedienne colitemplates leaving the screen. We haven't had a chance, yet, to check with Madge herself about this, but we know that she and Metcalf are happily devoted, as newlyweds should be. There was convincing testimony of this when, at a premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Mr. Logan turned and whispered something into Madge's ear, and then — were our eyes good ? — kissed her quickly on the cheek. The lights were up, too, at the time. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf took everybody's breath away with their marriage, recentlv, at Tijuana. It was an elopement, but they had known each other for about five months. Mr. Metcalf is a broker in Los Angeles and incidentally is a very good-looking chap. Miss Astor. Hawks is a production supervisor and has been in pictures for a number of years. The couple are spending their honeymoon in New York and Cuba. Why Authors Turn in Their Graves. Not long ago we were attracted by a billboard which read — John Gilbert and Greta Garbo, in "Love," with a happy ending. For the benefit of'those fans who revere their Tolstoy, and believe that his works should not be tampered with on the screen, it might be mentioned that this production, adapted from "Anne Karenina," was originally made with a tragic finish. We have known of pictures being made with two endings before, but this is the first time that we have ever seen the closing clinch advertised with a loud pedal, as it were. "The Man; Who Laughs," Universal's special, with Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin, will also go forth to the theaters of the world with two endings, we learn. ' Case for an Oculist. A certain handsome actor was recently debating whether or not he should accept the role of a negro, which had been offered him in a picture. He was on the point of undertaking it, because he had not been working for some time, and because he saw possibilities in the |F ; role. "But what," he exclaimed to a friend of his, "will I -tell my friends, in case they should be prejudiced against the idea?" "Aw." the other replied, "just tel! 'em you're color blind, and can't tell black from white." Bettv Blvtht shows off her dog, which she intends training for the movies. A Honeymoon in Cuba. Another bride and groom of recent date are Mary Astor and Kenneth Hawks. Their engagement was frequently rumored, prior to the formal announcement by Not a Female Impersonator. When it was announced that John Barrymore would star in "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," all the Hollywood smartcrackers queried in chorus, "What's he going to play — M rs. Cheyney?" . ... . _ Tt happens, though, that there is a very good masculine role in this particular stage' play. And so John's presumptive donning of feminine habiliments is satisfactorily deferred. We hear Ernst Lubitsch may direct, if John does not decide to make something else instead. Lubitsch has always liked the idea of this play, and was considering filming it several years ago. Giving the Past Its Due. If you didn't like "Helen of Troy," maybe you will appreciate its sequel. This will be entitled "Vamping Venus." Actually, the picture isn't a sequel. We simply call it that, becr.use some of the sets and costumes of "Helen of Troy" were used again in this film. "Vamping Venus" is a genre comedy, which Louise Fazenda and Charlie Murray are making. During the course of the action they do a rousing Greek burlesque. The idea was probably suggested by the fact that First