Screenland (May-Oct 1930)

10 SCREENLAND Ruth Chatterton has won thousands of followers since her first screen appearance, and her popularity steadily increases. secretly resolved to use her as their model in the future. And is that not an accomplishment? In the last year, I have not only seen the best possible in stories on the screen, but I have heard the best voices in this country, truly and perfectly reproduced. What a boon to the average man and woman. Such voices as Dennis King's, Lawrence Tibbett's, John Boles' and countless others, all at prices which they can afford to pay. Three cheers for the talking screen! Mabel Sides, 38' N. Euclid Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Those Regulation Endings I believe the achievement of greatest significance attained by motion pictures is the adoption of better and more appropriate endings. We became tired of the old idea of seeing nearly every picture end with everyone contented and satisfied. It is not natural or true to life. Yet, if we wish to take home and practise a good moral we have learned from the picture, the outcome must be logical. With recent plays, the authors, wisely enough, have left a few incidents untold, stressed a good moral and left something for the fans to think about. In this way, the pictures are not easily forgotten and they fit in better with our own unfinished lives. This welcome change has been more pronounced since the coming of the Vitaphone. Mark A. Nettesheim, Pewaukee, Wis. A Bouquet for Lois Wilson Why do we like talking pictures? Because, until the advent of sound it never had been our privilege to see such an assemblage of beautiful women, splendid men, famous singers and dancers as we can see now almost any day. And because — well — trying to tell why we like certain things is like trying to tell why we love our parents and children and animals and flowers and beautiful sunsets and all the things that belong in our lives and that make life worth living. And to try to explain why we like certain stars is almost as difficult. I admire Greta Garbo and other great ones of the screen and worship at their shrine. But into my heart has crept the image of a sweet and charming actress and implanted there is a sincere desire to see and hear her in many more pictures. I love her voice and her winning ways. To me she is like the fragrance of the violet after the cloying sweetness of hot-house flowers. So here's to the spirit of romance and happiness— Lois Wilson. Burton Holcombe, Kissimmee, Florida An Appreciation I have just seen William Powell in his first starring picture, "The Street of Chance" and I want to say that in it, he did some of the finest acting the screen has witnessed in a long while. In his portrayal he achieved dramatic heights without resorting to any theatrical display. His death scene was a marvel for brevity and simplicity which did not at all lessen the poignant appeal of it. A natural sincerity is the predominant note in William Powell's acting, that — and the intangible something which stamps him a great artist. Here's to William Powell! In his wellearned stardom may the roles that come his way be worthy of his fine intelligence of delineation. Pauline Lontz, 30 So. Euclid Ave., Pasadena, Calif. Screen Satisfies Need Romance and adventure are still with us, despite the confining advances of a modern civilization. By day, I am a chemist, engaged in exacting labors. By night, I am what I wish to be. Comfortably seated in the theater I thrill to the masterly deductions of the great detective; by degrees I lose my detachment; and revel as the master mind for a fleeting hour. Or, if the mood sways with me, I follow the glamourous trails to the golden Southwest, where, in the purpled distance , the dim fixity of mountain range becomes a solace and release from care. I go to the sea in ships. I thrill to the wild frenzy of wind and wave. I take my trick at the helm and, teetering in a stiff breeze, set my course by the silent, immutable stars. Perchance I must trail in the vast Northwest, where emerald pines brood, blue lakes ripple in the hard yellow sunshine and the defiant peaks tower into the very maw of heaven. Whatever the life I wish to lead for a brief hour, the movies are waiting. And then, safe through a thousand perils brought, I am ready to return to the mundane world and meet difficulty, even as my screen heroes. Eugene W. Blank, 134 Frazier Street, State College, Pa. Unsung Stars of Filmdom Why do we hear so little about such personages as Adolph Zukor, Jesse Lasky, the Warner brothers, Carl Laemmle, the late Marcus Loew and other prominent motion picture producers? In the glamour of the screen world today with its countless stars and lesser stars, the producers remain largely in the background; yet they are the real, unsung stars of filmdom. Since the beginning of motion pictures the one mutual desire of successful producers has been to please the public, regardless of cost. Pictures have arisen from crude, unimportant affairs to the almost unbelievable pinnacle that they occupy among the foremost accomplishments of today. Sound and technicolor are two milestones of progress that have been passed. Experiments are being made daily that will result, eventually, in a still greater betterment of pictures. And, fortunately, prices of admission to present-day masterpieces are within the reach of practically everyone. Let us know more about the men who have exerted untiring effort, who have expended and risked and sometimes lost fortunes to make pictures humanity's supreme entertainer. E. C. Furtick, State Park, S. C. Is Silence Golden? To be sure I was not being biased and old-fashioned I have missed but few talking pictures in the past year, and I am convinced they are a poor substitute for the beauty and realism of the silent pictures. To me, there is the same difference there is in enjoying a book to oneself and in having someone read that book aloud to me. I have found some of the pictures nerveracking, especially the sound news. And why must they flash the title on the screen and then have some one speak it? In the year I find a few that stand out. Norma Shearer in "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," "Hollywood Revue," "Wolf of Wall Street," "Girl from Havana." Even these cannot hold the interest as Garbo does in her silent pictures, or as Ramon Navarro in "The Pagan." I dare say I sound bitter, as I am. My favorite diversion is absolutely ruined and I must turn to the speaking stage. Why can't the film industry at least let us be choosers? They could make first a talkie, then a silent picture, saving the 'canned' music for the towns which cannot have the wonderful orchestras we have in the cities. Bertha K. West, 1406 Merriman Ave., New York City. {Continued on page 128) Lois Wilson has always been a favorite. Her pleasant voice was one of the first to be heard in sound pictures.