Screenland (Nov 1935-Apr 1936)

"BESTS" OF THE SEASON TO DATE? My screen superlatives of 1935 : Best Picture: "David Copperfield." Greatest Personal Triumph : Nelson Eddy in "Naughty Marietta." Best Musical : "Roberta." Most Exciting Newcomers: Luise Rainer, Charles Boyer, Fred MacMurray, Henry Fonda, Robert Taylor and Eleanor Powell. Best Performances: Victor McLaglen in "The Informer"^ and Katharine Hepburn in "Alice Adams." K. L. Crosby, Springdale, Pa. THE KATZ PLEA FOR KITTENS Watching the entrancing capers of my small, somersaulting puss, Young-FranchotTone, as graceful as Hepburn, sturdy as his namesake, and intelligent to boot, I wonder kittens are not substituted for dogs, (with all due respect for Asta, Buck, et al), in comic sequences now and then. Mrs. I. Katz, 23 Ellsworth Ave., Brockton, Mass. AH, THERE, ELEANOR! A new star graces the heavens. The rhythmic tapping of dancing feet fills the air. A shadow hovers and floats away. Whence cometh the song I hear? Ah, there she is ! Eleanor Powell ! Thomas Nathan Pappas, 921 South Grand Ave.,_ Los Angeles, Calif. THE NEW JEAN ARTHUR A battery of Salutes to Jean Arthur, the Girl Who Came Back— and How! The little mouse-face of a few years ago didn't compare with the sparkling Jean of today. That unique childish voice and refreshing personality should take her straight to stardom. Bobby Rabet, 3818 Whitman, Seattle, Wash. Tell Us What You Think! Your letters are welcome Here's the department that affords opportunity to have your thoughts and ideas spread on the record for all to read. You'll get a thrill seeing your own opinion expressed in your own words, over your own name if your letter is published. Write your letter In fifty words or less, and address it to: Letter Dept., SCREENLAND, 45 West 45th St., New York, N. Y. SCREENLAND MERLE'S FASCINATING FOOTSTEPS Not the best "still" of the month, but certainly the best walk — Merle Oberon as Kitty in "The Dark Angel" leaving Alan after her confession of love. After seeing this twice, I wanted to learn to walk all over again. Mary Wonderly, 8214 Fulton St., Toledo, O. MORRIS MAKES GOOD When I saw Chester Morris at the San Diego Exposition and asked h.im for an autograph, I discovered he is as grand off the screen as on. He isn't conceited, and he's considerate of his public. Priscilla Denny, 544-37th St., Oakland, Calif. FREE ADVICE TO CONNIE In the November Screenland article, "Connie and Dolores Talk About Each Other," I agree with La Bennett — that Del Rio looked lovelier with long hair. But so too did Connie, especially in her old picture, "The Goose Hangs High." Mrs. R. E. Harr, 704 Arch St., Meadville, Pa. WHEN JOE E. COMES TO TOWN I live in a small town, and when "Bright Lights" had its showing here, was that theatre packed ! In less than 48 hours everyone who had seen the picture was telling everybody else about the B-B-Big Pussev Cat and Little Mouse. May I lead in 3 6-B-Big Cheers? Olive-Barbara Anderson, 114 W. Cameron St., Hanford, Calif. WE THINK YOU'RE RIGHT! Edward Arnold's superb performance in "Diamond Jim" made me long to see him in other stories of that era. What a wonderful Grover Cleveland he would be in a story similar to Paul Leicester Ford's "The Honorable Peter Stirling." Annie Campbell Jones, 220 North Mount Vernon St., Prescott, Ariz. STANDS PAT WITH PATSY Patsy Kelly's pert charm has jolted bit parts with Benny, Jolson, Davies and others into leads. In her quaint, complaining way, Patsy reduces stars to stoogedom, and so I think she's a star all by herself. Beatrice Lewis, 6657 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, Pa. AUTHOR-EXTRAS I wonder how many filmgoers noticed that Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht appeared in that provocative play "The Scoundrel" ? They were a couple of bums in the flophouse scene, and I thought the presence of the authors added a deliciously piquant touch. Gerda Browne, 9859 51st Ave., S.W., Seattle, Wash. EUREKA! A NEW STAR When I saw "Escapade," with Luise Rainer, before my very eyes a comet flashed across the screen and a new star was born — a star who enthralls and captivates. For the first time in my life I felt like shouting Bravo! Jayne A. Hale, 530 Clave Ave., Scranton, Pa.