Screenland (May-Oct 1929)

SCREENLAND 15 Since her first role in "Stella Dallas" which introduced her to the world as a promising actress Lois has had very few roles that have been worthy of her talents, and yet she has given us every enthusiasm, and every effort for her very best. She has not fallen down, so to speak, in a single part entrusted to her interpretation. Lately, after coming out in a few 'different' roles under the Fox banner, Lois is showing us what she is capable of doing. In "True Heaven" bits of a genuine actress were given to us. She was superlatively emotional. Given the proper chance in her field Lois Moran is going to surprise all 'of us. Right now, she's beautiful. Life has not left its mark on her as yet; she is like the exquisite rosebud, crying to be picked from its bush, and sent upon its mission in the world. Two years have affected a most remarkable change in Lois. One watches her talents unfold, as each new picture is released. I warn you all to watch for her first 100% talkie picture and see if I'm not correct. I predict that this first 100% talkie Lois does is going to .shine as one of the pictures of the year! Bravo, Lois, for your patience, your persistence, your sincerity! Sincerely, Genevieve A. Larrieux-Loudance, P. O. Box 272, Wilmington, Calif. were satisfied to just go to the movies, and even though the Europeans were cinema patrons, most of us were well satisfied with the word movies. What silent feature ever carried the thrill of such talkies as "The Letter," "Gentlemen of the Press," "Coquette" or "Madame X?" Even a mediocre theme developed such interesting features as "Innocents of Paris," "Nothing But the Truth," etc. Which reminds me — would the dialog debut of Maurice Chevalier have been as intriguing if his efforts were confined to the silent film? Certainly his personality could not have swayed the fans so promptly and completely. Isn't he a peach? That French accent must never be lost, for it is so obviously a part of the inimitable Chevalier's personality. My toast of the evening goes to Mary Pickford for her sincere acting in "Coquette," despite the changed plot. And to Walter Huston of "Gentlemen of the Press" I would nominate one of the foremost journalists of the country to lead the cheers in honor of his marvelous portrayal of a real newspaper man. Sincerely, Gladys M. Connaughton, 159 W. Newton St., Boston, Mass. A j Clara Bow J Booster Her Favorites Dear Editor: I liked "Broadway Melody" and "On Trial." I think that Lois Wilson and Bert Lytell have very fine voices. However, one of my favorite pictures was a silent one: "Forgotten Faces" with Clive Brook and Baclanova. They acted so realistically one could hardly believe they were just playing a part. Clive Brook and Lewis Stone are my favorite actors. "Evangeline" is also a lovely picture and Dolores Del Rio makes a charming Evangeline. Thank you for letting me contribute to this department. Sincerely, Mrs. E. Hyatt, 1720 W. Cucharras St., Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dear Editor: I want to say a few words for Clara Bow and the talkies. Clara is my favorite star and I don't care what kind of a picture she takes part in just as long as she is in it. In my case it's Clara and not the play that is the thing. I think Mary Brian and Charles Rogers are two darlings. In my estimation they come next in line after Clara. Talkies are wonderful! The first one I saw was "In Old Arizona" and I certainly enjoyed it. I'm for talkies! I wish for Clara Bow the best of luck always. Sincerely, Miss Roslyn Millar, 238 Durocher Avenue, Montreal, Canada. A Feather for Jeanne Eagels Bravo, Chevalier! Dear Editor: Now, if I don't get something off my chest, I'll simply burst! You've guessed it? The talkies, of course. Talkies, talkies — Dear Editor: like Tennyson's oft mentioned brook, they I'm for the talkies and hope they are seem destined now to go on forever. Even never rechristened with a more high cross-word puzzles didn't get such a Her■sounding name, such as 'Audiens' or what culean hold on us, the dear public. At have you? For years the American fans first I was rather reluctant and loathe to enthuse in the talkies' favor, dismissing the efforts I had seen as a hodge-podge of cacophony; a tinpanniness intensified by the seemingly wretched voices of our famous stars. Then, lo and behold! Along came such capable persons as Jeanne Eagels, Ruth Chatterton, and, yea, Sophie Tucker, Fannie Brice and Belle Baker — recruits from the footlights who wanted to emote for the new contraption. "Something in it after all," opined I. One day, with sixty cents in my pocket and after a fruitless search for a job, I stopped in front of a local theater where "The Letter" was being read to capacity audiences. I hesitated, then, with the usual 'I-don't-care' attitude assumed in such trying circumstances, I parked fifty cents of my paltry pittance with the lady at the box office and hied myself inside the theater. Was I repaid? Never, in all my cinema-going days (with a little effort at reminiscing, I can place their incipience at about my tender age of five years) have I been lifted to such lofty heights of thrilldom as when Miss Eagels retaliated to her husband's decree that her punishment should be her life imprisonment way out there in — was it Singapore? Perhaps Jeanne will do "Rain" (nee "Sadie Thompson") in dialog — though only the dialog would make it any better (then, would it?) than Gloria Swanson's brilliant portrayalof that interesting, albeit meritricious femme. Later (after I had a job) I saw and heard Ruth Chatterton in "The Doctor's Secret." Please allow me to use that sadly abused, often wrongly applied adjective — superb. I register keen anticipation for "Madame X," which madam, it would seem, is exhumed every other year. But, let us not forget our own cinematographic artistes. Mary Pickford was magnificent in certain episodes of that poorly photographed "Coquette." Corinne Griffith in "Saturday's Children" brought her lovely drawl to us, one that is indeed in keeping with her languid charm. Margaret Livingston, Betty Compson, Bessie Love (and those terpsichorean proclivities!), Baclanova — ah! that vibrant, pulsating Russ — these ladies talk, sing, laugh, scream or what have you, with profound feeling, intelligence; their voices permeate the atmosphere with that evanescent spirit of good showmanship. We have yet to hear from Swanson, the Great Garbo and Gish. Yet, all in all, greater love hath no man than to stick by his favorites, whether in silence or in sound! Provincial and trite an expression as 'tis, and for no reason at all, I say there, "let's go!" Sincerely yours, George Wilton, Jr., 230 Noe Street, San Francisco, Calif. Beginning with the next, the October issue of SCREENLAND, we are offering cash prizes for the best letters to this department. Get busy!