Screenland (May-Oct 1931)

SCREENL AND e?LAMS and e^ALVOS Send us your screen views. We'll pay for the best letters THE FAN'S STAND Garbo still holds her throne — she reigns supreme. But the fans want to crown John Gilbert — that is, they think he belongs by Garbo's side, cinematically speaking, of course! Marlene Dietrich manages to hold her own and then some. Clara Bow, the film flapper, is still blazing with the fans. We hope she kicks in with a good performance in "Kick In." There's a trend toward musical movies with Lawrence Tibbett nominated as head man. Charlie Chaplin can make all the silent films he cares to — he has the crowd with him. More "kid" pictures wanted. We'll get more Paramount is going to make "Huckleberry Finn" with Jackie Coogan playing Huck. Apparently Charlie Farrell's marriage to Virginia Valli hasn't wilted the interest in the Janet Gaynor-Charles Farrell films. Some one suggests "Kitty," by Warwick Deeping, as a suitable vehicle for them. The blond Phil Holmes continues to be one of the most popular screen juveniles. Read his life story on page 2 4. It begins in this issue. WHAT ABOUT "SKIPPY"? (First Prize Letter) The movies have taken the place of Goldilocks and Cinderella in the makebelieve of our children. A group of eight and nine-year olds were playing outside my window. "I'm Loretta Young," one of them announces, "and my sweetheart is Arthur Lake." "I'm going to be Clara Bow," one daring mite discloses. What are we going to do about it? We can't have censorship — it is an affront to adult intelligence — but our children certainly cannot have the moving-pictures as they are at present. No matter how much I like Greta Garbo, Ruth Chatterton, and William Powell, I cannot permit my children to see them in their glorifications of gangsters and illicit loves. But it does seem cruel to keep them away from the theatres altogether, when they so love the charm and fantasy of the screen. Please, producers, come to the rescue of the poor youngsters ! Sue F. Cope, 2525 Jennings Ave., Fort Worth, Texas. THAT HOLLYWOOD TOUCH (Second Prize Letter) Even though it makes me froth at the mouth when the producers take flagrant liberties with the title and plot of wellknown books, yet sometimes I am glad. They make the ending so much more satisfactory than it was in the book. For instance, there is "The Divorcee" which made my spirits soar as they didn't when I read "Ex-Wife." Marion Davies' "The Patsy" was grand ; the play, when I read it, lost its zest after I had seen the Marion Davies version. And then there is "Dracula." As a piece of literature, I honestly believe it was a fizzle, but as a movie, with that Hollywood touch — it was something worth remembering! All of which makes me wonder why the producers don't buy authors' unsuccessful brain-children; they seem to know the secret of making something out of nothing. Samela Kay Parkhurst, 1 146 West 63rd Street. Seattle, Washington. Greta Garbo and John Gilbert in a scene from "Love," one of their old silent pictures. "Garbo and Gilbert belong together — without each other there is something lacking in their acting," chants one of their public. All those in favor of re-uniting John and Greta, clap hands.' DAT OLE DAVIL GOSSIP! (Third Prize Letter) A "choice" piece of news may seem no more harmful than a bit of thistle-down blown against one as he walks along. But the sharpest knife could not hurt more terribly than the thorn of a bit of thistledown. That's why I believe that the divorces and marriages of the film people should be locked away from the public. If you don't love your "bitter half" of the marriage bargain, it does make you feel exhilarated to flaunt your broken marriage in the face of the four winds. But if you do love that person and are sanctioning a divorce only because of necessity — well, all that rumor hurts. Fed by the facile Let's get together in this department every month and see who can write the best letter. The most sincere and constructive letter will win the first prize of $20.00. Second prize, $15.00. Third prize, $10.00. And there's a fourth prize, of $5.00. All winning letters, not over 150 words, will be printed. Mail your letters so they will reach us the 10th of each month. Address Slams and Salvos Department, SCREENL AND, 45 West 45th Street, New York City. pens of writers and press pull, these legends become Brobdingnagian in appearance. As a result, film-players live in a shell and paint on its surface a gay mask which is anything but fun. Kay Matthews, 6300 14th St.. N. W., Seattle, Washington. A BOOST (Fourth Prize Letter) Some things Talkieland can be mighty proud of : Clarence Brown's directorial ability; Greta Garbo's eyes; Clara Bow's curves ; Ruth Chatterton's voice ; Norma Shearer's poise; John Gilbert's pluck; Garbo's personality; Marlene Dietrich's legs ; Janet Gaynor's youth fulness ; Constance Bennett's sophistication; Mary Pickford's lasting youth ; Gloria Swanson's finesse; Marie Dressler's talents ; Ann Harding's fragile beauty. Ralph C. Byfield, 620 Oregon Street, La Fayette, Indiana. (Continued on {'age 97)