Screenland (May-Oct 1931)

10 SCREENLAND Slams and Salvos Continued from page 8 With the talkies came sophistication and Kay Francis — and unanimous okay on Kay. —AND AGAINST They're dragging Greta Garbo down again. Before I saw "Anna Christie" I was one of the few who mocked the country's glorious Garbo. I said she was stupid, maudlin, and affected. Then I saw her in "Anna Christie." I saw her drinking beer with Marie Dressier. I saw her smoking and standing there like a goddess on her father's boat. I heard her husky, mannish voice and I became one of her admirers on the spot. Then I saw "Inspiration," and instead of being inspired I went back to my original opinion of Garbo. There was no reason for that picture, "Inspiration." It gave Garbo no opportunity for acting, for characterization. Greta Garbo was not good in silent pictures. Pictures like "Inspiration" will kill her slowly but surely. Etta Levine, 412 N. 15th Aye. E., Duluth, Minnesota. CICERO VERSUS CINEMA Cicero glares at me and says, "Young lady, do your Latin !" Sadly I open the book. Words to look up, syntax to find, and the principle parts of the most difficult verbs ! Why should I worry whether a noun is masculine or feminine, or whether a pronoun is in the dative or the ablative case? I think Cicero is very conceited if he thinks for a single moment that I shall spend all my time picking apart his troublesome anatomy. No, Cicero, something, something you never dreamed of, has come into this world. It entertains thousands of people ! People whose ancestors might have been in the forum listening to your fourth oration against Cataline. We have an amusement which surpasses all forms of entertainment you had in Rome. Cicero, although you have been dead for many years, even you must have heard of the movies ! Eva Anttonen, 6 Blodgett Place, Worcester, Mass. AGE— A DEEP, DARK SECRET There's one topic that never will have even as much privacy as a goldfish has. and that's a person's age. That's why I'm inclined to pity the screen people. If they choose to broadcast their age, okay. Especially do I admire Mary Pickford and Marilyn Miller in this respect. This is also probably the reason "Our Mary" had sense enough to cut off her curls and desist from playing kid roles, although I'd give anything to see her return to them occasionally. But, oh, those actors who persist in believing we fans are too gullible! I'm not going to divulge this star's name. Oneday I read that she gave her age as 23. I know that isn't true. Years ago I read her life story and those same books are in my basement. This is bringing the coals to Newcastle, is it not? Kay Matthews, 6300 14th N. W. Seattle, Wash. WHOA, BUDDY! What is this I hear about the screen idol, Buddy Rogers, can it be that he is to stop playing the role of the playboy. If by any chance he should start playing in the more serious films he will ruin the hopes of many a young man of to-day who hold him as their idol. I am a real fan and never miss a picture that Buddy plays in. He is made for his part. Why spoil a good thing? To me ajid to many others there will never be another to take his place on the screen as the smiling curly-headed boy of screenland. Grant Harrison, Kila, Montana. OKAY! Kay Francis has not acted any predominating part in pictures I have seen, but her strong characteristic qualities have given concrete support toward the success of the film. In pictures where she played opposite William Powell she portrayed the part of a neglected wife and was given a similar part in "Scandal Sheet." I'll wager that if Kay were given a part opposite some emotional hero than these matter of fact men she would, as the phrase goes, "knock 'em cold." A. R. Joy, 1009 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, B. C. PAGING LILLIAN ROTH What has happened to Lillian Roth? That little girl deserves to be starred. Anyone who didn't laugh at her antics in "The Love Parade" isn't human. True, she didn't shine in that picture, but that's because it was so generally excellent. Her dramatic performance in "The Vagabond King" was perfect, and with O. P. Heggie she saved that picture from being mediocre. As for "Honey," what a flop it would have been without Lillian and Skeets Gallagher ! Since then Lillian's roles have been cut to nothing. She is a splendid actress, an excellent blues-singer, and an adorable girl. I, for one, should like to see her given fair treatment on the screen again, and I am sure there are many others who feel as I do. Pearl A. Katzman, 601 West 189th Street. New York. LIKES SLIM STARS People are always writing in and saying so-and-so is too thin. What's the matter with them? Are they jealous? They know that being this is all the rage this year and has been for many years past, and, of course, the stars must be up to date. Who wants to see a fat star crossing the screen ? I don't for one and I don't think anyone else would, either. Give me the thin stars. I'm satisfied. Mary Virginia Rinkenbach, 215 Forster Street, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania. There has been a "Rich" rave ever since the release of "Cimarron." Here's Richard Dix as he appears in his new picture, "Big Brother," which promises to be another winner.