Picture Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

What the Fans Think 9 Does She Like Foreigners? Why all the controversies over Valentino? He was my ideal, and, so far, I have found no one to take his place, and never shall. He had something that I can find in no other actor. It certainly was not his love-making, it was something deeper. I have seen no letters in praise of "White Gold." Why? This film is my idea of a perfect picture. The acting is the best I have seen. I rank "Seventh Heaven" with it, and "Soul Fire," in which Dick Barthelmess proved he could act. Why can't we have more pictures like these, instead of the never-ending series that show nothing but jazzy youth, and drunken orgies? British films have certainly improved. To me, American movies seem to consist almost of the same type, with a few exceptions. America is crazy over youth and good looks. In a British picture the dramatic value is taken more into account, and the surroundings are more natural. I do not know whether many American fans have seen our movies, but "White Gold" and "Seventh Heaven" are more the style of movie we go in for. One other item. There has been a great number of brickbats thrown at the foreigners in Hollywood. I agree with one of your readers that the film industry in America would look queer, if some of the stars took it into their heads to go back to Europe. And, ■ lastly, I notice that the "fallen stars" of Hollywood are beginning to come to England. I, for one, do not want them. If they are not good enough for the States, then they certainly are not good enough for us. J. Ernest Browne, Jr. Cairo, Bridge Road, East Molesey, Surrey, England. Harbor Impressions. I am going to tell, if I may, how some of the moving-picture people look in real life. San Pedro is really Los Angeles harbor, and consequently this port is used by most of the studios, when they have a harbor scene to film. For that reason, I have had opportunity to see a few of the stars "emoting," and know how they appear while doing it. Reginald Denny is handsome, boyish, and seems to have the same personality off the screen as on. He is really better looking in real life. I saw him making the yacht scenes for "That's My Daddy," and he was patience personified with the little child actress used in that picture. He explained the action to her, rehearsed it with her, and gave her all the best camera angles. _ Robert Frazer made a picture here. He didn't seem particularly handsome. My main impression was that he must have the vocabulary of a government mule driver. The day was warm, and the director insisted on numerous retakes. Between shots Robert mopped his brow, and remarked quite audibly that the day was hot as — well, anyway, he gave his impressions of the movies in general, the retakes in particular, and the air took on a sulphuric tinge. Milton Sills — well, I don't want to say much about him. Mr. Sills no doubt has many admirers, and they might not care to know that he looks a great deal older off the screen. And, does he like himself? And how ! William Boyd is quite nice looking. Of course, most of the fans know that his hair is really gray, not blond. My impression was that he is a regular fellow. Ramon Novarro made scenes from "Across to Singapore" in this harbor. He is handsome, with an olive complexion — not too dark — and that spiritual quality so hard to describe. I know that phrase is overworked by admirers of Ramon, but it is the only way to describe it. He seemed rather shy, and not at all the overconfident type of actor so often encountered. He seemed very considerate of the others in the company, and — this may sound trite, but it's true — he is every inch a gentleman. Marie Price. San Pedro, California. A Fine Sentiment. "Lest we forget" should be graven, on our calendars, across the months of May and August. Each one holds a day of memory — the first, a happy anniversary— the birthday of Rudolph Valentino; the second, a sad one — the date on which he left thousands of hearts to weep his passing. Will you remember Rudy, fans? Will you stop every once in a while to recall details of an undying past — will you not think, sometimes, of a story we know so well — Valentino's life story? Once Rudy was a little, dark5eyed, impetuous boy, laughing, with the sunshine of his home in the heel of Italy. There was a gentle mother who held him fascinated with stories of daring ancestors — who fought, ever, for honor and high ideals. There was a father, stricken by death while his sons were yet young — placing a crucifix in the hands of little Rodolpho — telling him to remember, always, "Mother and Italy." Then later — Rome and Paris ! Rudy as a reckless youth — hitting the pleasure trail, dancing the tango, even as did Julio! And one cold, ice-bound night he sailed into New York harbor, greeted the lights of a strange, new world with dauntless courage, and a gallant smile for Miss Liberty! He extended his love to America, but could he have understood, this lad of seventeen, that in return there would come to him the deep devotion of our millions? Struggle for years — hardship, sometimes hunger ! Then a chance in "The Four Horsemen"— and with romance and artistry, inimitable Rudolph Valentino swept into the drab humdrum of our lives ! A sensation, a star — and, finally, a beloved friend, whose place in our hearts will never be usurped by another. There were ifive glorious years that followed— years of amazing success for the handsome, black-haired Rudy. Disagreements, discouragements, harsh criticism, but over them all he rode triumphant ! Behind the gaudy press agentry he was simple hearted and trustful, sensitive and cultured, never too famous to take the hand of an admirer and say, "I thank you !" Can we not commemorate the five years Rudy was ours, even if only in some small way? Flowers may be sent to his resting place. Letters can be written to friends, and managers of the smaller, second-run theaters are only too glad to grant the request of showing one of his films, now and then. Rudy gave to his fans — his all. Now it is our turn for a gesture of gratitude. Gan we not find some way to say, "Rudy — we thank you"? Trix MacKenzie. Box 443, Atlanta, Georgia. They've Been Kind to Her. I read, with great interest, the article in a recent issue of Picture Play, "How Can the Fan Please the Star?" Writing to stars, and receiving photos of them, is as old as moviedom itself. It is some thing that never fails to interest, and so perhaps the fans would like to hear about my experiences in writing to stars. I sent a water-color sketch to Norma Talmadge, of herself, which I painted, and in return came a beautiful photo, autographed : "For Elinor Garrison. Thank you for your sketch. It is very charming. Sincerely, Norma Talmadge." It is the third of three photos from Miss Talmadge, autographed to me personally, with messages in answer to letters of mine. When I was ill and using crutches, I wrote to Mary Pickford, and told her how much I loved "My Best Girl," which I saw, through the kindness of a friend. She replied with a lovely, large photo, autographed: "To Elinor Garrison, with loving gratitude, Mary Pickford." From the indifferent Barrymore himself, in reply to a letter of mine, I received a lovely photo, and his autograph for my album, "To Miss Elinor Garrison. Sincerely, John Barrymore." Mary Pickford sent me an enlarged snapshot of herself, autographed to me, and Richard Dix replied to my letter with a personal answer. John Gilbert, my supreme favorite, has sent me at least six large photos, all autographed to me personally, and from Vilma Banky came a beautiful letter of gratitude for a letter I wrote her. I have autographed snapshots of Reginald Denny, 'Mary Philbin, Olive Borden, and Richard Dix, 'besides about fifty other snapshots of the stars — the newest one is a lovely post-card snap of Dick Barthelmess, in "The Patent-leather Kid," taken here in Washington, at Fort Lewis. Irene Rich, and our own Myrtle Gebhart, sent me beautiful Christmas greetings, and on Miss Rich's sheet in my album, along with her autograph, is a tiny photo she pasted on the paper. I have the autographs of at least twenty famous English stars, a snap of Betty Balfour of England, and two photos and a note from Ivor Novello ; autographed photos of Pauline Frederick, Pearl White, Tallulah Bankhead — remember her years ago over here, in the movies?— and, Betty Blythe, sent to me from London. These are just a few of m'y wonderful photos, and, by the way, I have tinted them all. In my album of famous autographs I have the following: Elinor Fair's signature, Lillian Gish's, Myrtle Gebhart's, Clifford Holland's, Irene Rich's, John Barrymore's, Richard Dix's, John Gilbert's, Olive Borden's, the following from Francis X. Bushman — "This, dear Miss Elinor Garrison, is an oath of eternal friendship and gratitude. Your lovely letter was greatly enjoyed. Sincerely, Francis X. Bushman"; Betty Balfour's, Charlotte Greenwood's, with a personal message to me, Ruth Taylor's, Ann Christy's, Gloria Swansons', the following from Maurice Costello — "To Elinor Garrison — May the skin of a gooseberry be big enough for an umbrella to cover up all your troubles, is the sincere wish of Maurice Costello" — I am very proud of that! — and "For Miss Elinor Garrison, the good wishes of Alice Joyce." Do the stars answer their mail? They have been wonderfully kind to me, and I appreciate their kindness with all my heart. Their very kindness has kept me from being discouraged during two years' illness. Elinor Garrison. 1105 Olympia Avenue, Olympia, Washington. Eddie Cantor's Daughter Speaks! Perhaps the fans may be interested in knowing more about some favorites of the screen, whom I have had the pleasure to meet.