Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

Advertising Section 13 will cast a new light on our diabolic friend. In the first place, my analytic eye tells me that the lady has neglected to make known her address. In the face of her invective, I can ascribe it only to ignorance or cowardice. I do not intend to waste time in discussing Miss Perula's arguments. I wish merely to attempt to disprove them. Having several times visited the studio where both her Gilbert and our Novarro are cmployed, and, more pertinently, having seen both of these idols in action before the camera within the last month, I feel perfectly competent to contradict her. Ramon Novarro certainly has a diligent press agent; that is all too true. But, having seen Ramon, and having been in somewhat close contact with him, I believe that Mr. Novarro's press agent is, like the rest of us, suffering from a heavy case of hero-worship, for Ramon himself is the most ingratiating and lovable creature ever put on earth. All Mr. Press Agent has to do is tell the truth. The pity of it is that poor, blind worms cannot believe qualities such as his exist. However, we will leave his off-screen attributes alone for the present. Critics all over the world who are better judges than she, have dubbed him great. They remark that he was triumphant as Motauri, splendid as Scaramouch?, and magnificent as Ben-Hur. It has also been said that Ramon Novarro alone saved that unfortunate opus, "A Certain Young Man," from utter oblivion by his ability and charming personality. Now, I insist that any man who can make convincing two such contrasting roles as Ben-Hur and Lord Brinsley deserves some distinction as an actor. I will not attempt to disillusion our lady friend about John Gilbert. Gilbert, the actor, I admire; Gilbert, the -man, I despise. ; I can only say that I pleasantly anticipate the reception of Messrs. Gilbert and Novarro over the new sound devices. Then Ramon will live and John will disillusion you. Robert Orem. 781 Arguello Boulevard, San Francisco, California. Give Bix Better Roles. I'd like to shake hands with and thank Alice L. King and Una B. Cowan for their pleas in behalf of Richard Dix. I, too, could name instances where I have seen him wasted to support some one whose only excuse for being a leading woman was her attempt to fly to Europe, or some one whose only excuse was a pretty face and amateur acting. I know Mr. Dix is capable of acting any role given him — to the best advantage — and he deserves a far better fate than mediocre stories and comedy roles. I say Richard Dix will be one of our great American actors, if given half a chance. He doesn't need a whole chance — just give him half a chance and he will do the rest. Another letter was headed "Isn't Mr. Dix Treated Fairly?" I answer, "No," emphatically, "No." Comedy is all right for slapstick comedians, and I like comedy in its place; but its place is not near a finished actor like Richard Dix. Give him an Emil Jannings role for a change. It has long puzzled me why the good stories and roles are given to mediocre actors, and the poor stories to good actors. I say, "Why not fire the poor actors and consign the poor stories to the wastebasket?" And I would suggest that all those inContinued on page 122 PLEA/LIRE WITH PROFIT WHAT would you give to be this artist — earning a big income — enjoying studio life? He has learned the secret of forming simple lines into finished illustrations. It was only a short time ago that this young artist filled out a coupon like the one below and mailed it to the Federal School of Illustrating. Now he is not only trained in modern art on which magazines are spending millions every year, but he has also had thorough instruction in all branches of illustration. Careful training by Federal Instructors has taught him to turn simple lines into dollars. 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