Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

Information, Please 103 Dunn. She was born May 1, 1907. Marion Davies is thirty-one and has blue eyes. See Ruth and An Alice Joyce Fan. Also Mary E. Brady. The last home address I have for Philippe de Lacey — several years old — was 1949 Grace Avenue, Hollywood. Sue Carol's real name is Evelyn Lederer. Laura La Plante was christened by that name. Shad. — That's an appropriate signature for one who asks about a sea picture. "Sea Pie" — no, I don't know of any film with such an absurd title. "Sea Tiger" is the nearest to it in sound. E. S. — So you want to tax my brain? There doesn't seem to be enough of it to be assessable. Phillips Holmes, the son of Taylor Holmes, the actor, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, twenty years ago. He was a sophomore at Princeton when the "Varsity" company went there to take scenes, and Mr. Holmes was given a part. He was taken to Hollywood for additional scenes and was signed to a contract. Paramount, who furnished this biographical data, has no record of his height or coloring. He doesn't give his home address, but I think a newcomer like Phillips would still be watching his fan mail at the studio. David Rollins was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1909. He has black hair, blue eyes, is five feet ten and one half, and weighs one hundred and forty. See Helen. Thomas Thompson. — Charles Rogers' new picture is "Young Sinners." He is six feet tall and weighs one hundred and sixty-five. The Richard Arlen Fan Club has headquarters with Frank W. Leach, 4 North State Street, Concord, New Hampshire. Clara Bow has several clubs —that nearest you is at New Berne, North Carolina; write Romolus Gooding, 93 Broad Street. "The Mysterious Island" was first started about three years ago— I've lost track of who was in the original cast. The new picture of that title is finished, but no release date settled. I don't think it has color shots. Helen Howell. — Thanks for the bouquets for Picture Play. You're right; the bandit whom you liked in "Revenge" was LeRoy Mason. He is quite new to the screen, so, unfortunately, I have no information about him. You might write him in care of Edwin Carewe, the producer, in Hollywood. Buckeye S. of Hiawatha. — What caused the rumor that Clara Bow was dead? If I knew who caused those crazy rumors, I'd be the wisest man in the world. The film you describe was "The Prince of Headwaiters" ; Robert Agnew played the son. James Hall's wife was Renee. I don't know her last name. The young leading players in "Our Dancing Daughters" were Joan Crawford, John Mack Brown, Anita Page, Dorothy Sebastian, and Nils Asther. The fan clubs you ask about are : Pola Negri, Henrietta Hendlick, Box 129, Route No. 2, Ridgewood, New Jersey; Bebe Daniels, Dorothy Helgren, 146 Ballou Avenue, Dorchester, Massachusetts ; Garbo-Del Rio Fan Club, Evelyn Elizabeth Gilley, 77 Winslow Street, Everett, Massachusetts. See The Lion Girl. No, William Haines and Polly Moran are not engaged. Who started that one? Fred Thomson died following an operation ; he had been injured internally while doing one of his stunts. Charles Ray has been in vaudeville recently. No, Anita Page and Anita Stewart are not the same. Anita Stewart was one of our biggest stars about ten years ago. Anna Q. Nilsson is in her late thirties. Buddy Rogers has dark-brown hair and eyes. Alice White's hair is, I think, blond at the moment. Mae Riefer. — Yes, unfortunately it is true that Fred Thomson died last Christmas Day. See above. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., and Joan Crawford are married, according to accounts, but no one knows just when it occurred. Dorothy Mackaill plays opposite Milton Sills in "His Captive Woman." Richard Passmore. — I'll be very glad to keep a record of your Ramon Novarro Club. Violette Moyer. — So you're "trying your luck" with a few questions? That makes me feel just like a lottery. Dolores del Rio was born in Durango, Mexico, August 3, 1905. Her name was Asunsolo until, in 1923, she married Jaime del Rio, who died last year. She was quite a belle in Mexico City and frequently danced at social affairs. Several years ago she danced at a dinner party at which the other guests were Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Carewe, Bert Lytell, and Claire Windsor. Carewe was impressed^ and persuaded Dolores to sign a movie contract. In "Tropical Nights" my cast does not mention a character called "Snake" or_ Bill. Wallace MacDonald played the villain. He freelances. John Barrymore Forever. — Even the best actors cannot last that long. John was born in 1882. He is five feet ten, weighs' one hundred and sixty, and ha>s light-brown hair and eyes. He has play-ed in pictures, off and on, for about twelve years, so a complete list of his films is impossible in this space. His present connection with movies, however, began with Continued on page 115 Continued from page 13 I should like to tell her that during my four years at college, some of the "necking" I have seen would make Garbo and Gilbert seem like new-born babes. This young lady should leave Montana and see the world before she voices such laughable opinions. I think it is a shame to mislead thousands of readers with false and unfair information. Edward Heyman. 1319 Cambridge Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Putting You Wise. Many fans would like to know why the cast is not shown in some pictures, so that the names of most of the players can be identified. It's this way. The cast is always included in the film, but very often the theaters cut it out. »Many theaters have a strict schedule to maintain, and for this reason eliminate what seems to them the unimportant parts of a film. There is one corporation that gives the cast both at the beginning and end of the picture. That is Universal. I hope this will put some fans wise. J. Bustol. 72 Irving Avenue, Bridgeton, New Jersey. A Prophecy! What was Metro-Goldwyn thinking about to permit John Gilbert to play in the same film with Nils Asther? Are they blind to the brilliant charm of this Swedish newcomer, or are they careless of Jack's laurels? What the Fans Think Before the Gilbert fans descend on me in wrath, let me announce that Jack is also one of my favorites. If he never made another good picture, his Jim Apperson has earned him a place in the front ranks. But Nils Asther is so utterly Jack's superior in charm, good looks, poise and rare ability to interpret his roles — whether he is playing a restrained English doctor or fiery Russian prince — with a subtle touch possessed, apparently, only by foreign stars. For me, he dominates any scene in which he appears, dwarfing even Anna Q. Nilsson, Gilbert, and Torrence. Even Chaney's personality failed to overshadow Asther's. It is incomprehensible to me that Renee Adoree, who appears to be a discriminating young woman, could ogle Gilbert while Asther's presence brightened the same village. Asther's unexpectedly abrupt death almost spoiled "The Cossacks" for me. Not quite, however, for with Asther eliminated from the story, Gilbert was fascinating, too. I prophesy — spare your brickbats, Gilbert worshipers — that Nils Asther will some day flame in the screen galaxy, an even brighter star than Gilbert. Alice Simpson. 4402 West Atlantic Street, Seattle, Washington. No Imitations for Her! I think Phyllis Silver has written a splendid letter about that unrivaled actress, Pauline Frederick. There will never be another like her. Not long ago I saw "Zaza," with Gloria Swanson in the title role. It was nothing short of a travesty on Pauline Frederick's work in that same role. I have no wish to see "Resurrection" played by Dolores del Rio, or any of the other imitators of Miss Frederick. Now, for three brickbats aimed at Pola Negri, John Gilbert, and Greta Garbo. Pola is a conceited sham. John's acting amounts to dashing about mildly, and pawing the air. He must do well at petting parties ! Greta is merely "a dying duck in a thunderstorm." I think the criticism of Belle Bennett by M. C. Parrish is unfair. I don't consider her a brilliant actress, but she certainly deserved the praise she received for her work as Stella Dallas. I wonder if any of Evelyn Brent's fans have ever received a photo from her? I have written three times and have been ignored. I still admire her, but consider she is not worth bothering about any more. I am also an admirer of Leatrke Joy. She can act, and her success certainly was not due to John Gilbert. That's all. "Lavender." London, England. Boosting Nils Asther. Not since Valentino flashed on the screen in his memorable "Four Horsemen" has there been a magnetic personality with such an abundance of romantic appeal as Nils Asther. It was his splendid performance in "The Cossacks" that focused my attention on him. In this picture, Nils Asther gave John Gilbert stiff Continued on page 119