Picture Show (Nov 1919-Apr 1920)

22 Tin Picture Show, November 8</<, 1919. YOUR EDITOR REPLIES. QUANTITY OR QUALITY? THE oft-quoted (and frequently misquoted) Scriptural phrase " of making many books there is no end " might be applied with but slight alteration to the production of films of which we are witnessing in these days an ever-increasing number. The storehouses of literature and imagination are both being explored with zealous energy for more material for the screen, and plots old and new are being dressed up for our further entertainment. Thousands have been taken into the service of the profession, and thousands less fortunate, who are clamouring to get in, are bemoaning the fate which keeps them out. Everywhere the camera-man is busy recording scenes at home and abroad that only the purse of a millionaire could enable us to visit. And the resultant effort of it all is that each week new pictures are forming a fresh girdle round the world. Yet quality of output is not the only thing that matters, however much it may tend to show that the supply is merely in obedience to the demand. The public, it is true, want more and more pictures, for in them they have their cheapest, best, and most desirable form of entertainment. Even when photoplays are in the making their progress is followed with interest by many who seize on scraps of information about the artistes and the scenes. The dates of the releases are always awaited with impatient eagerness, and when, therefore, there are pictures which fall short of public expectation, the disappointment is the keener. Some of these plays, in fact, could be dropped, and few, if any, would miss them from the screen. Plays which pretend to point a moral, and yet do no more than dabble in the unsavoury issues of lite, and comic films which are humorous only in their pretensions instead of in acting and plot, might well be laid aside to make room for something better. In plays, too, that are otherwise excellent, one sometimes notices a lack of reality, or a sudden break into sub-titles just where the interest is growing. Good scenes have been spoilt by too much melodrama, and where striking situations would have done we have had unnecessary vignettes and close-ups. Quality, after all, is the main consideration, and fewer and better pictures would be a welcome alternative to a larger output bearing traces of hasty production. THE EDITOR. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Will readers kindly remember that, owing to the fact that this paper goes to press a considerable time before publication, letters cannot be answered in the next issue ? A stamped and addressed envelope must accompany any letter requiring arummediate answer by post. Address : The Editor, "The Picture Show," The Fleetway House, Farringdon Street, E.C. 4. A. D. .T. (Beckcnham). — I can picture you sitting down with quite a decent sized ink-bottle, and a food stack of letter-paper in front of you, to write to all the artistes you name. Hut go ahead ;ind send your letters on to me when finished. As you will be writing to them and not to me, I cannot say definitely if they all will reply'. Hut since others have received photos in this way, why not you? Your praise of this paper is indeed high. 1 bow mv thanks D. SI. (Wednesbury) —Pearl White is thirty. As you are a new reader, I must inform you that no addresses can be given, but your letters to artistes will reach their destinations quite safely if you follow the instructions below. Also, I welcome you, and hoi* you will write again. C. M. (Portsmouth). — E. K. Lincoln is still on the films. Other news will be published as soon as I know. ^ Q. It. (Leeds).— September 22nd, 1803. is the date, and Chicago, Illinois, the birthplace, of Dorothy Dalton. You say you hoped to sec. your answer in the issue aft. r you wrote. Have you overlooked the underlined paragraph at the head of these replies. M. W (tniisHin). -What nationality am I? British, of course. I have forgiven you riant enough, but I am now curious to know who has won that bet — you or your friend '! Mildred Harris is not dead. " Arnc xii •!•'!. " (Shelmorlfe)— William s. Hart married ? No, he is a bachelor, and w ill probably always remain one. Thanks for your good wishes. C. I). (Khliu Vale). Many happy returns of the day, which will not he very far olf, I expect, when you see this. Y'cs, acting in ordinary plays and acting before tin camera an' two different things. 1 have not heard that Constance Talinadgc has any other name than tin one she uses. "Ivor," (Sydenham). —Ellen Terry is more of a stage than a film artiste. She has been featured in "Her Greatest Performance." J. B. (Liverpool) ami otliers.— Regret, I have no photos of any artistes for disposal. C. E. (Hoylake). -Mary Miles Minter is seventeen. The other arli.-tc has not told me his age as vt'... "MOLLY " (West Ham). -Yes, historical films are Ycty interesting. Wallace Itcid is over 0 ft. in height, anil has brown hair and blue eyes. He was born in im92. As Mae Marsh is such a great favourite of yours, I hope you liked II 111 centre pages of her in the issue for Bfeptember 0th. Here arc some of lur films : " Polly of the Circus," " The Pace in the Dark," " The Beloved Traitor," " Money Mad." " The Glorious Adventure," "Fields of Honour," "The Cinderella Man." J. L. (Maidstone).-Both of them are Americans. Francis Carpenter is eight, and his little companion, Virginia Lee Corbin, is seven. DAN (Hastings). — Mary Anderson was twenty-two on June 28th last. Raymond McKec is five years older. Little Rock, Arkansas, is the birthplace of Barbara Castleton, who was horn there twenty-three years ago. The little screen artiste's full name is y.oc Rae Beeh, but her film admirers know her only as Zoe Rac. Thanks for your appreciation of this page. H. L. (Leeds). — Victoria Pordc is the wife of your favourite hero, Tom Mix. D. II. (Chester). — Probably you have seen " Sunnyside " by this time. If not, I cannot say when it will be shown in your town. .lane Lee is seven, and Kathcririe is two years older. Wallace Reid has been on the films for some time. He went 011 the stage while quite young, and then took up various other jobs. He has managed an hotel, and has been a Government surveyor, a reporter, an editor, a director, and an operator. E. W. (London, P.). — im very ;s,'rry to hear you are a cripple, and if you Would like to receive a letter from Dorothy Dalton, f ou can write to her through this office. Perhaps she may send you her photo as well. T. M. (Southend).— In "Less Than Kin" the players are Noah Berry, Raymond Hatton, James Neill, Charles Ogle, Guy Oliver, Jane Wolff, James Cruze, and Olive Carter. Creighton Hale, Leon ISary. and Mollie King are featured in " The Seven Pearls." If you can get your scenario typewritten, so much the better. C. C. (Galasheils). — Antonio Moreno is not married. He was born in 1888. M. St. L. (Oldbury). — So you have travelled round the world during the last two years, and have visited HINTS TO PICTURE PALACE MANAGERS. I think all picture theatre managers should remove old placards and advertisements when they become out-of-date. I and other people have been misled by an announcement reading, "Special tonight—Pauline Frederick." This notice has been up for a month or so, and it is very disappointing for patrons who go in to Find that this artiste is not appearing in a picture.— 2s. 6d. awarded to Miss Skerritt, 10, Parliament Street, Sutton-in-Ashfleld, Notts. Africa. India. Australia, New Zealand, and America, and your only regret is that when in the last named country you were unable to go to Los Angeles. Y our experiences must he interesting. I am pleased to know you have heard several times from your favourite Mary Pickford, and that the photos she has sent you are amongst your " dearest possessions." You may certainly write to me again. "Ql'EF.NlE KATE" (Haywards Heath). — Antonio Moreno* will be seen in the new Vitagraph serial, "The Iron Test." released December 1st. in which Carol Hoiloway will also be featured in a leading part. At the moment of writing this. I have heard no confirmation of the rumour you have heard. In " The Lightning Raider " she plays the title-role. E. B. (London, S.W.). — Vivian Martin was born near Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has been on the stage, and started her screen career with World Films. "A Modern Thelma," "A Kiss for Susie." ' Little Miss Optimist," and "The Wax Model" are some of her pictures. C. M. (London). — Mollie King's husband is Kenneth D. Alexander. Hope you will enjoy Pearl Wnite's new serial. M. M. (Wolverhampton). — Glad to know you have received a photo from Mary Pickford, and that your sister has had one from Charlie Chaplin. The ■ former's birthday is on April 8, 1893. Yes. Irene. Castle still acts for the films. The cast of "Three Men and a Girl" is as follows: Marguerite Clark (Sylvia Weston), Richard Barthelmess (Christopher Kent), 'Percy Marmont (Doctor Henry Forsyth), Jerome Patrick (Julius Vanneman"), Maggie Hoiloway Fisher (Abby). Petty Bouton (Mrs. Julie Draper). The author of our last popular serial, " Free Y'et a Felon." is one ot those modest writers who does not wish his name to bo known. M. D. (New Brighton), — Was your stamped, addressed envelope to me omitted through an oversight '! The information you require is as follows ; Mary Mill * Minter, born on April I, l'.t02, is single ; Olive TltoHBis, born on October. 20, 1898, is married to Jack Pickford ; Eddie Polo, born in 1890, is married to Pearl Grant; William S. Hart, born on December 0, 187C, is single ; William Russell, born on April 12, 188G, is married to Charlotte Burton ; Charles Ray, born in 1891, is married to a lady whose name has not been disclosed ; Marie Walcamp, born in 1894, is not married ; Elsie Ferguson, born on August 10, 1883, is married lo Thomas B. Clarke. 1 cannot say for certain whether any of the above will reply, but you can try all the same. Sorry, I am not able to supply any photos of artistes. "MAISIB " (Bournemouth). -A scenario should be quite differently written to a short story. So your fri:-nd y;:u s:y his been misinformed by t :..>-< tiled film authority who professes to know a great deal hut. really knows very little." Well, people like the latter, unfortunately, are not very rare, Maisie, though selfesteem is no recommendation. As you decided tc» ask me, I may Bay that Earlc Williams is not. a bachelor now. His wife Ls Florence Walz. Your framed art plates must look excellent. No. "The Girl who Dared " has not been filmed. H. D. (Clapham). — Geraldine Farrar was bOTt) on February 28, 1SK-J. Eddie Lyons is married to Virginia Kirtby. "Daddy Long-Legs" released in October, and the other play later on. 0. D. P. W. (Camberwell Green) and others. — Nr« need whatever to ask whether I am willing to forward any letters to artistes, for 1 shall always tie "pleased to oblige. But please read very carefully the rule below and don't ask for acknowledgments of such letters owing to the large number 1 send on. M. C. (Rosyth). — Both Virginia Lee Corbin and Francis Carpenter played hi "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp." A. L. (Aston). — If the two artistes are married, the names of their husbands have not reached me as yet R. N. (Gateshead). — I get a very large pile of letters, 'tis true, hut 1 shall still manage to keep alive, although you add your welcome One to the lot. It is his real name, and here it is in full : Antonio Garrido Monteaugudo Moreno. Quite imposing, isn't it ?x A. L. T. (Coventry).— Some of the films you name may have been adapted from hooks, but ! am sorry I cannot tell you where t he latter can he hndJ F. D.-S. (Babbacombe). — I am sorry 1 cannot tell you. as six or seven years ago is rather a long time back to try and trace the title of a Sim from the scenes you mention. E. P. (Knitmls). — You decided to " write me a nice letter." Am glad you have done so. and I hope your collection of the art plates will in time he quite ii big one. Franklyu and William Fannlm, 1 believe, are cousins. M. F. W. (Edinburgh). -.Tack Pickford is twentythree. Earle Williams is still acting. •' " BEKTIIA " (Stone). The information you require has not been made public. Gladys Cooper lias two children. " Exile from ' Smoky ' " (Leeds). No* I don't think I should ever care to leave " dear, old, smoky London " myself, and I do not wonder that the fascination of the great city fills you with a longing to return. Fortune may be kind to you yet. Yes. actors and actresses are '" a happy go lucky crew " as you say. E. P. T. CHounslow). — So you don't Hke William Hart to be called " Kill." Richard Barthelmess took the part of Madge Kennedy's " husband " in " Nearly Married." Pearl White was horn thirty years ago. R. W. (Army of the Rhine). — I shall he pleased to forward your letter, if you send it to me, to Ella. Hall, who occasionally acts in pictures now. Glad to know you and your pals appreciate this paper so much. A. L. (Great Yarmouth). — Srssue Hayakawa does not live in London. He is in America, and so Ls his equally talented wife. Tsuro Aoki. J. I. I. (Forest Hill).— Yes, Eddie Polo is married to Pearl Grant. You can write to him. of course. A Word to Every Reader. HAVE you sent for a set of our "All .Stat Series" of postcards ? No. 1 set is now on sale, and contains beautiful art postcards of Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks. Marguerite Clark, Creighton Hale, Mae Marsh, nncl Charlie Chaplin. No separate postcards can be sent, but you can have the set by sending a postal order for one shilling, made payable to the Amalgamated Press, and crossed & Co., aid addressing your application to 'I'm Pn-irui: .Show Postcard Department, 7-{», Pilgrim Street, Ludgate Hill. London. K.C. 4. (More Answers Next Week.) J N answer to the many inquiries^ we have received from our readers as to how they can send letters to ' Cinema actors and actresses," 7 he Picture Show " will forward all such letters on, but it must be distinctly understood that we cannot guarantee such letters-will be replied to. Moreover, as many of these Stars travel all over the world, a considerable time must elapse before the letters reach them. All letters are forwarded by the next mail, and every letter received to date has been sent on. The Editor cannot enter into any correspondence on this matter. How to send your letter : Write the iiame of the Star on the envelope and enclose it with a loose 1 hd. stamp to the Editor," The Picture Show," The Fleetway House, Farringdon Street, London, E.C. 4. (Be sure to enclose your full address, including County and Country, if a reply is required.)