Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

10 Continued from page 8 was a good picture, but it was in spite of Del Rio's poorly acted role. Then there was the perfectly disgusting role in "The Loves of Carmen," and "The Only Woman" was too laughable to mention. Thank goodness, that one went to a second-rate house, which means it will not be an encore picture, and I hope her next one will have its Chattanooga premiere on Main Street. Think of her supplanting Norma Talmadge in tbe cast of "The Darling of the Gods" ! Besides her absolute lack of acting ability, she is so homely it is painful. Now, for the other Dolores, who is of the house of Costello — you are the daintiest, most feminine little beauty I know, and I'm wild about yon ; but, "Adorablest," take a few lessons in elocution from Sister Helene, and please do not allow them to give you another story so plotless as "Glorious Betsy." Among my bouquets, I have remembered Colleen Moore for her excellent performance in "Lilac Time," which proves she can really mean something to the screen as an emotional actress ; but to John McCormick, her manager, I hurl the biggest brickbat I can find for 'the continuity of the picture. Why is he so stingy with Colleen's and Gary's love-making? Don't misinterpret me ; I didn't want them to pull a Garbo-Gilbert scene, but the actual space given to show their feelings toward each other was so limited as to be unconvincing, and as a result the denouement did not receive the appreciation that it otherwise would have. That brings us to a criticism applicable to, roughly speaking, nine pictures out of ten — the absurdly short periods of time covered by the plot, as compared with the great issues dealt with. Lastly, let me sail a brickbat at Fanny, the Fan, for saying Ruth Elder "looks like a coarser, more brunet version of Corinne Griffith. Sort of road company No. 3." Now, Fanny, don't be prejudiced. You know perfectly well Ruth Elder doesn't look coarser than Corinne Griffith. You know she's not a "sort of road company No. 3." I have seen Miss Elder in person, and stood within arm's length of her long enough to see that she is a dainty, pretty girl — nothing more, nothing less. Let's play fair, Fanny. Margarita. Chattanooga, Tennessee. About Exchanging Letters. Since the publication of my letter in the December issue of Picture Play, I have learned many things. I have received about seventy letters from all parts of the country, and in every case the writer asks that I answer his letter and give him as much help as I can in his efforts to get autographed photos from the stars. And in only two instances was a stamp inclosed for a reply. I would like to bring this to the attention of those who contribute to "What the Fans Think." It's asking a lot of a person, in stationery and time, and it seems the least one could do is to inclose a stamp or a self-addressed envelope. I answered every letter I received, but it has taken half a week's salary in stamps and stationery, and the rental of a typewriter for a month. It was a pleasure to answer the letters, and I'm sure the financial aspect of the situation has never occurred to the fans. I learned that there are many stars who seem interested in their fan mail. The writers, in every case, received autographed photographs from Sue Carol, Lina Basquette, Corinne Griffith, and Doris Kenyon. Miss Kenyon is unusually kind, and in most cases inclosed a note with the photograph. What tke Fans Think I learned that, though, one of the most popular of the younger stars, Joan Crawford, neglects her fan mail to a criminal degree. In every letter that came to me, the writer was an admirer of Miss Crawford, and in not one single case had the fan been able to secure any sort of photograph from that star, although in every instance twenty-five cents in stamps was sent. Because Miss Crawford wrote to me, a year or so ago, and sent me two autographed pictures, the fans have written me, wondering what I did, or said, or sent, to be so fortunate, when they had tried any number of ways to get even a likeness of her. I am devoted to Joan Crawfordi, and it hurts my pride in her to know that she doesn't value the honest admiration of her fans. I learned that Miss Crawford is not alone in her negligence. Among the other seemingly inaccessible stars are Dolores Costello, Janet Gaynor, Greta Garbo, and Nils Asther. If Mr. Asther is as desirous of success and fame as his interviews lead one to believe, he could shorten the ladder several rungs by attending to his fan mail. I know this fan-mail business^ is tedious and uninteresting, but you can't blame a person for being indignant who sends twenty-five cents and receives nothing in return. A quarter is so much lunch money or car fare. I learned that "What the Fans Think" is genuinely liked and looked forward to by the readers of Picture Play. The general opinion seems to be that items about the stars written by fans are more interesting, and more likely to be true, than the interviews contributed by paid writers. If one fan has any sort of success in hearing from a star, it lends courage to the other fans. I learned that Picture Play seems to be the favorite movie magazine on the market. The fact that generous space is given over to the fans is a great drawing card, too. Juliette Brown. 4022 Morse Street, Lawrence Park, Erie, Pennsylvania. Voice Censor Suggested. If we take away the glamour of the screen, and really look at some of the great stars closely, don't you think they're rather disappointing? Perhaps you've heard Adolphe Menjou speak ? Oh, where is the polished, cynical dilettante, with the soft voice and slight French accent? Certainly it isn't to be found in the "Vurry pleased to meet you" that bursts on one's astounded ears. Can you truthfully say that May McAvoy's voice enhances her charm? But we do have compensations. Marion Davies has a most fascinating little stammer in her speech that makes it doubly attractive, and Dolores del Rio has the slight foreign accent that we expect from her. But if talkies are to be thrust upon us, let some sane judge decide whether a star's voice is suitable before we hear a harsh, nasal horror that completely destroys our ideal. It might interest fans in America to know that dive Brook is one of the greatest draws in London now, and in him there is at least one actor to whose initial talkie we can look forward without trepidation. Richard L. Norton. 22 Grosvenor Road, London, S. W. 1, England. Pointed Question to Committee. The Rudolph Valentino memorial has apparently become just another Hollywood mystery, and fans, both in Europe and America, are in a hopeless quandary trying to solve it. At the time of Rudy's death, the important heads of the movies declared themselves in sympathy with the fans in their hope of erecting a memorial in his honor, and accordingly promised to do their share in working for it, all of which stirred us fans to the greatest irespect and admiration. In short, our confidence in them was complete. But more recently, however, we have come to realize that this confidence has been grossly betrayed, especially when we compare the great lapse of time with the total results, which are nothing. It is known among those who have delved into the mystery that a committee of celebrities was once formed for the purpose of raising funds for the memorial, but what became of this committee, or what they accomplished, is still part of the mystery. Can it be that these celebrities, who are so frequently quoted in their condemnation of the public for ■ its fickleness, have themselves turned fickle? Can it be that they are refusing to pay homage to the great actor, even in spite of the pleas of their own admiring fans? If this is true, they are lowering the dignity of their profession,' which they wish to have recognized as an art. Unfortunately, there are a few fans who obviously do not understand the meaning of the word "loyalty," and who persistently work their pens overtime in ridiculing those who do. In their contemptuous manner, they accuse the loyals of •gushing, and claim that the world has forgotten Valentino and his memorial, not realizing that in their very words they are contradicting themselves. For their benefit, I wish to make it clear that this letter is not written with the intention of soliciting either funds or sympathy, but rather as a demand for an explanation from those on the committee — if they will kindly condescend to enlighten us. I do not refer to myself alone, but to fans everywhere — from America, from Europe, and even from far-away Harbin, China — all of whom are in unanimous agreement that the Valentino memorial must succeed ! Conrad Arnold. 604 Holly Avenue, Apartment 1, St. Paul, Minnesota. "The Invasion" Viewed Calmly. In her very interesting letter, Grace Shaver, mentions that the Swedish Greta Garbo is riot "half so beautiful as a certain American extra girl she could name. That's not strange. If she looks around, she will also find plenty of foreign extra girls who are far prettier than such popular American favorites as Gloria Swanson, _ Lillian Gish, Janet Gaynor, Marion Davies, and several others. Miss Shaver should remember that it takes more than physical beauty, or even acting ability, to make a popular star. This indefinable requirement has been discussed numerous times, so I will merely add that it has nothing to do with nationality. ■ Speaking of foreigners reminds me of that charming newcomer, Nils Asther. He seems to_ possess everything required for success, including youth, good looks, talent, and a sense of humor. If he would be a little more sparing in the use of lipstick, he would be just about perfect. In "The Cossacks" he was much more attractive than the star, the latter seeming to possess quite a disagreeable personality. I've noticed this sourness in several of John Gilbert's recent pictures, and wonder what is happening to him. His former Continued on page 12