Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

What the Fans Think 11 Why don't they star Buster? He has undoubted talent — he is one of the few young actors on the screen who is possessed of real ability — he is versatile, good looking, and has a charming personality; what more could be required? Yet, in spite of his fine, sincere, and natural performances in "The Wanderer," and several other pictures, he is still made to play second lead in some films, like "God Gave Me Twenty Cents." But whatever he does, his performance is always praised by critics, and it always deserves praise. Miss Anderson is right in saying he has the spirit of Pan. There is an elusive quality, a spirit of youthfulness about him that is wholly charming. Well, here's wishing you the greatest possible success, Buster, and may you soon be a star in your own right ! Penelope Storey. 27 Silverdale Road, Eastburne, Sussex, England. Another Tribute to Valentino. Because I resent so strongly what Elinor Garrison says about the sentiments expressed about Rudolph Valentino, I address these words to her. I wonder, my friend, if you have ever heard it said that if you cannot say anything good of a person, do not say anything at all. We all make mistakes as we go through life, which hurt no one but ourselves, but it is mostly through our desire for happiness that' we take the wrong road. It sometimes happens that we more than atone for these mistakes by the kindness we show toward others. Valentino was noted for this trait, for he was generous to a fault. Then again we should remember that it was due to his honesty and justice toward the public that he was off the screen for so long. He did not wish to cheat us by appearing in poor pictures. Perhaps there are many who have given their lives in the interest of humanity, and yet are not honored by a memorial, but please remember that the influence of Mr. Valentino was felt throughout the world and he who has lived to lighten the burden of life for others, has not lived in vain. If some of us wish to honor his memory by writing little poems, et cetera, that is no discredit to us. There are many who would like to be able to do the same, had we the ability, but as we cannot we are glad that some one can, and we treasure them accordingly. I, for one, am deeply grateful to Rudy for the good influence he had upon my life and I wish it had been my privilege to have known him in reality. I know there are many who feel just as I do and who are anxious to see a memorial to him that would be a fitting tribute to his memory. Brookline Fan. Brookline, Mass. Words of Praise. To my mind, Picture Play's "What the Fans Think" is the most interesting of any department in any motion-picture magazine. As some one has said, it has so much to agree and disagree with. Why don't those who are sick of the Valentino poems just give them a wide berth? That's the best way to keep from being am. <r ed. As t che Novarro controversy, I'm very glad to see that so worthy an actor and splendid young man has so many loyal admirers. I'm one of them, myself, and I sincerely hope that, with "The Student Prince" and "The Road to Romance," he is entering a new era of successful pictures. But the person who terms Renee Adoree "just a plump French peasant girl" gets my ire up. Hasn't this person learned by now that the exterior is the merest detail of a human being? It's the soul that matters. And who that has seen "The Big Parade" or "Mr. Wu" can deny that Renee has a depth of soul and feeling that many a more beautiful actress lacks. To me, Renee is beautiful because I love her. I recently saw a delightful picture— "Seventh Heaven" — and it was nothing else but that to me, compared with some of the would-be pictures I have seen lately. I think Mr. Fox deserves a vote of thanks for making splendid pictures like this and "What Price Glory?" Each was a directorial triumph, showing that the director had a free hand. Some of the other producers would do well to notice this, and think more of the ultimate result, rather than the ultimate dollar. And then, as these pictures prove, the dollars will take care of themselves. F. W. Murnau's "Sunrise" is another example of Fox's method. Where, I'd 'like to know, has Percy Marmont gone, and "why? He is a real artist. And why don't we see Ricardo Cortez oftener? He is a talented player and a magnetic personality — not to mention those eyes and that smile. Oriana Kimler. 1826 Arcade Building, St. Louis, Missouri. A Fan's "Finds." "If these aren't finds, nothing was ever lost." Gary Cooper — whoever discovered him ought to be called the Columbus of the movies. With a little more acting experience, he is sure to be one of the Six Best Stellars. Rosalind Fuller — a gorgeous girl, totally wasted in "quickies," like a jewel in a tawdry setting. She is a miniature Swanson, with a personality as rare as her unusual beauty. Eddie Quillan — a comer as a comedian. Unusual because original. Watch him. Arlette Marchal — glorifying the French girl. Loveliest of all the importations, and worth a boatload of Polas and Jettas. Molly O'Day — a delightful colleen who rivals Sister Sally O'Neil in pep and charm. They're undoubtedly the cutest pair of sisters on the screen. Earl McCarthy — sunk without a trace in second-rate comedies, but a Jack Mulhall in the making. Virginia Bradford — a cameo girl who might be a big sister of Peter Pan, so much does she resemble the bewitching Betty Bronson. Frank Marion — another Barthelmess. Sincere, and bound to make the grade. Walter Pidgeon — hope he gets the breaks, for he certainly deserves them. Talent, personality, and a smile you can't forget. Reata Hoyt — a young Lillian Gish, but with more poise and appeal. Joyce Compton — the screen's prettiest blonde. If only she had been cast as Lorelei Lee. Just a few others who ought to see their names in Mazdas some day — Larry Kent, Sally Blane, Martha Sleeper, Arthur Rankin, Kenneth Gibson, Mona Palma, Barbara Kent, Arthur Lake, Donald Reed, Danny O'Shea, Eddie Phillips, and those two snappy collegians, John Westwood and John Stambaugh. Good luck to them all, and to Picture Play, best of all the fan magazines ! Kathleen Greer. 2660 North Sixteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He Likes the Foreigners. Many fans assume a ridiculous attitude toward the players imported from Europe. I think most of them are excellent. Two of them stand head and shoulders above any of our native players — Greta Garbo and Emil Jannings. They're different ! Between them and other players there is no comparison. It seems to me, too, that all of the foreign directors have proved their worth. Erich Von Stroheim is, of course, the greatest of all directors, past and present. Victor Seastrom never fails to click, nor does Ernst Lubitsch. Aside from Greta Garbo, Lillian Gish is my favorite female star. "Annie Laurie" was terrible, but "The Scarlet Letter" and "La Boheme" were wonderful, and "The Wind" and "The Enemy" promise much. Theodore Dreiser is America's greatest author, and if Paramount changes one iota of "An American Tragedy," it will deserve all the ridicule that is poured down upon it. They have at present a young man suited in every way to the role of Clyde Griffiths. That young man is Donald Keith. Harold F. Kinney. New York, N. Y. Hurray for Mr. Oettinger ! A few words of praise 'for Malcolm H. Oettinger, for his frank and subtle interview with Pola Negri, in a recent issue. I was not only surprised, but pleased, that he dared risk her anger. So seldom is the truth told in interviews — and I suppose there are usually good reasons, too ! But this time I suspect we got the truth — and it was a relief not to read the usual nonsense. Instead, the grand and mysterious Pola failed to rake in another victim ! The result was that he was able to collect his wits sufficiently to write us something very clever and revealing about Pola Negri. Since her recent marriage to a prince, Pola has lost many admirers and has not gained what she thought she would. As an individual I detest Pola. As an actress I admire her. My admiration for her ability to act has somewhat cooled since her public weeping over Valentino, for it was quite apparent that her sorrow was not sincere. There isn't a reporter who can write like Malcolm H. Oettinger, and since we always throw so many bouquets to our favorite stars, why not send a few along to our favorite writers? There is somebody I wish he would interview some time — Mary Pickford ! It seems as though nothing smacking of sincerity has been written about her for so long. Of course, we hear about her business ability, et cetera, but I mean what is she really like in her attitude toward people. Is she a snob, as has been suggested, or is her reserve merely a natural longing for solitude? Believe me, if Mr. Oettinger interviews her, we will get the goods straight from the shoulder. Frances Smith. 1853 West Forty-second Street, Los Angeles, California. The Stars As I Know Them. M. G. L.'s letter has inspired me to write of the stars as I know them. I have had the good fortune to meet some of our famous stars, among them Lillian and Dorothy Gish, Pauline Frederick, Irene Castle, Kenneth Harlan, Marie Prevost, Mary Thurman, Florence Billings, and Tyrone Power. The Gish sisters are as devoted to each other in real life as they appear to be when playing together on the screen. I was with them backstage when they made their public appearance in "Orphans of the Storm," with D. W. Griffith. Lillian is a wonderful conversationalist, Dorothy a little shy when speaking in public. Irene Castle is another star I had the