Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

8 What tke Fans Tkink Heavens! Gary Cooper Upstage? TT is about time some of the overload of ego is taken I out of certain motion-picture people. First, I shall mention Gary Cooper, since recently I read of his high-hatting a former friend. The latter wrote a letter to a newspaper about it and I, for one, wish other former friends of movie people would do likewise, for a few more such letters would expose what kind of people we are admiring and spending money on when they aren't worth it. There is nothing I despise more than a person, who, when fortune smiles on him, is not big enough at least to speak to a former friend. I wasn't surprised, for Gary Cooper appeared on the stage in Los Angeles, with Evelyn Brent and George Bancroft. Mr. Cooper was received very coolly by the audience, and it was no wonder, for he walked out on the stage as aloof, and bored, and unfriendly as any society snob ever was ! Some fans have said that is his natural, reserved manner, but most of us know acting before a camera takes away any reserve, because one must throw out his feelings, and not repress them, in order to express himself on the screen. If anybody knows the other side of Gary Cooper, perhaps he will write and tell us. I am sure many are as sorry as I was to learn he is that kind of chap. Lina Basquette is another one I was all set to rake over the coals for liking herself too well, after appearing in a few pictures. I am, however, glad I waited until now to write this. The other night I saw Lina and Eddie Quillan in a picture. After the picture she and Eddie appeared on the stage. I must admit my anger and scorn simply melted away at the simple, natural way she acted before us. Her speaking voice is lovely, not stagy or affected, and I was certainly surprised at her composure. In pictures she appears nervous and uncertain at times. Not only that, it has been rumored she makes remarks about what a wonderful actress she is, and I used to laugh at such vanity, for she is really a beginner at acting, and has lots to learn yet. For one thing, she needs to reduce considerably. It is a shame the screen enlarges one, for on the stage Lina was just right, but in pictures her hips appear too large for attractiveness. As for Eddie Quillan, I get awfully enthused when I think of Eddie. I was a stenographer when Eddie, and his brother and father used to come to see my employer. That was before they got in pictures. After that, it was either Eddie or his brother, I forget which, came up to the office with some of their first stills, and we girls got the biggest kick out of looking at those pictures, and wishing the boys all kinds of luck. Since then, Eddie has come to the fore, and look where he is now. Say, talk about talent ! Whew ! You have to see Eddie on the stage to get the full benefit of his personality. His father and brothers and sisters were all at the theater the night I saw him, and they turned the spotlight on them so the audience could see them. All I ask is that Eddie Quillan be given a smaller, more girlish type than Lina to play opposite him. While Lina looks girlish and sweet on the stage, it is nevertheless a fact that her screen personality is quite a different one, and she appears too mature for Eddie. I saw Alice White the other day and want to say that Clara Bow need have no worry that this little hardboiled, tough-looking girl will take away any of her fans. There is a similarity between the two, but if Clara Bow were like Alice White there wouldn't be so many fans admiring Clara. Miss Bow is audacious, peppery, and alluring, but you can't say any of those things for Miss White. She is bold, conscious of her attractive figure, always attempting to show it off, too, and never concentrates much on real acting. She is so intent on her clothes and keeping her lips on straight that she hasn't time for working out her roles, consequently they are not examples of the whole-hearted ability that makes Clara Bow's pictures the great box-office attractions of to-day. Clara is a real actress. She has talent for drama, if she will learn to dress more conservatively. Holly. 1853 West Forty-second Street, Los Angeles, California. Barry Norton's Nostrils. It is very unfortunate that a picture as excellent as "The Red Mark" should not have had the bookings its quality deserves. James Cruze is a great director and little Nena Quartaro a great actress who, to my way of thinking, approaches the greatness of wonderful Janet Gaynor. What has become of her? How can they star a stupid ga-ga like Alice White and neglect the pure, golden genius of this Quartaro child? If she isn't an actress, I'd like to know who is. Continued on page 10