Screenland (May–Oct 1927)

10 SCREENLAND TJ [E authentic human side of one oLf our greatest actors. Mr. Ullman's book is illustrated by photographs from the author's private library. His sentence to jail ; his reason for wearing a slave bracelet ; his reported engagement to Pola Negri; these and scores of other interesting things about him are told in a manner in which only a close friend and adviser could tell them. There were many things said and written about Valentino in the last few years of his life, and after his death, that did him great injustice. This book has been written primarily for the purpose of setting at rest those rumors. Here's what eminent critics have to say about the book. "An interesting and exciting' book. It is easy to read, a dignified, plausible story." — Harry Hanun, New York World. "Ullman's story is well worth reading." — ■ Ward Marsh, Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Has an excellent flavor, interesting and authentic." — Luella Parsons, Los Angeles Examiner. This publishing hit is being offered by Screenland and by no other magazine at the publisher's regular price, $2.00. SCREENLAND Book Department, Desk 5 49 West 45th Street, New York City. For the enclosed $2.00 please send me a copy of "Valentino as I Knew Him". Kamc Address <3[ Mary Ann Jac\son cussing the scanda Smith's" — their next ing in "Her Cardboard Lover", may soon become a screen star, they say. MetroGoldwyn made tests of Miss Eagels and the results are said to be gratifying. But didn't Jeanne appear in a picture a long time ago, failing to set the film on fire? Even if she did, came "Rain" — and a new celebrity was born. * * * No, sir — the old town just doesn't seem the same. No sooner had all the Paramounters departed, bag and baggage, for sunny California, than Gloria decided she must make her second independent produc tion on the coast. And before we knew it. we were attending her farewell tea and reception at the Ritz, and then the same afternoon, seeing her off at the train. Her send-off was what you'd expect in honor of such a popular young lady — crowds, flowers, fans, clicking cameras, reporters — not to mention the Marquis, several maids, and three Chow dogs. Gloria went regretfully— yes, she did too, Hollywood! She hated to leave her palatial bungalow atop a skyscraper. She'll miss her country house in Croton. And she promised to be back in six months — just as soon as she completes that picture. Albert Parker, who directed "The Love of Sunya" , will wield the megaphone again; while John Boles, Gloria's discovery, will once more officiate as leading man. * % * Broadway is saying: "Keep your eye on Helen Chandler". Helen is one of the big street's favorite children. She scored an amazing success in "The Wild Duc\" several seasons ago. Allan Dwan gave her a small part in "The Music Master" for her screen debut — and she stood out. Then the same director offered her another part in "The Joy Girl" and Helen left the cast of the stage play, "The Constant Js[ymph", to go to Florida for exteriors with the Dwan company. So you see she likes pictures. And it looks as if pictures will like her. Can it be that Lois Wilson will have to get her sunbonnet out of moth-balls after all? After all her rebelling against sweetly simple roles? At any rate Lois is now starring in "The Gingham Girl", for F. B. O. — right after stepping out in satins and sables for "Broadway Njghts", too! One of her strongest reasons for leaving Paramount, her friends say, was that she preferred working in New York. And then came this starring offer, and Lois had to pack up and leave for California. You never know your luck, in pictures. But she was reconciled when she thought of seeing her parents again, and of re-unions with old film friends. Besides, her chum, Gloria Swanson, had to go to Hollywood about the same time. There's always the silver lining if you look for it. F. W. Murnau, the German director who made "The Last Laugh", and who recently and her gang dis' s of "The Jimmy Pathe picture. completed "Sunrise", his first American film, for William Fox, has sailed for Europe. But he will be back, for he's signed a fiveyear-contract to make more films for Fox in California. At a luncheon given in his honor before he sailed, the famous director said he enjoyed making pictures in Ameiica, and observed, among other things, that "camera angles" are important only if they help to tell a screen story, not if they hinder the dramatic progress of a photoplay. Incidentally, "Sunrise" , although it has a cast of only three players — George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, and Margaret Livingstone — is said to be the most expensive production ever turned out by the Fox studio. No wonder he likes working over here! Just the same, the genial German will make one more picture in his native land before returning to us. $ ♦ * Blanche Sweet and Marshall Neilan — let's call him Mr. Blanche Sweet just to be different— and Bess Meredyth made New York merrier while they were here. Miss Meredyth, in case you don't know, is one of filmdom's champion scenario writers. Yes — just for a vacation. The Neilans gave a tea party and invited all their old friends, and made some new ones. And everybody left exclaiming over Blanche, who today might be mistaken for a brand new Baby Star if you didn't know who she is — one of our best actresses, and first known, back in the good old days, as "the Biograph Blonde". * # $ There have been first nights and premiers and openings. And then there was the Roxy. "The Cathedral of the Motion Picture" opened its doors to one of the most brilliant audiences seen on Broadway in a blue moon or a new electric sign. The long-awaited opening night brought thoussands to the doors who didn't have tickets — who couldn't buy tickets for love or money or anything. Those on the outside looking in helped to make the occasion more exciting. In fact, when la Marquise de la Falaise de la Coudraye stepped from her limousine, she took one peek at the surging mob, as the flashlight cameras boomed, and it looked for a moment as if the star of the evening would run home, scared to death. But she recovered and kept on going — into the most successful evening of her career. It was her first independent production, "The Love of Sunya", which inaugurated the ^ new theatre. As for that theatre — you'll have to see it when you come to town, that's all. A few adjectives such as gorgeous, beautiful, and impressive might help to explain it to you — but only a visit can really reveal it. The handsome, smartly uniformed, exquisitely polite ushers alone are worth the price of admission. And you simply mustn't miss that disappearing orchestra!