Screenland (Nov 1935-Apr 1936)

for April 1936 93 Edgar A. Guest Judges Hollywood Continued from page 25 and restraint of drama. But if every picture was good then there would be no particular credit to the great ones." "What's the greatest one you've seen?" "That's a good deal of a stickler," pondered Eddie. "But I'd say I liked most oi all 'The House of Rothschild.' Another fine picture is 'The Life of Pasteur.' I liked, too, 'It Happened One Night.' Among actors George Arliss, with me, comes in for his character work. I like Charles Laughton because of the diversity of his portrayals. Both are very intelligent. So is Edward Arnold. I have yet to see Arnold do anything badly. All this has significance for actors and actresses, by the verynature of their personalities, exert a strong influence on tlfe home." "Would you call Mae West a homebody?" Eddie shot me a quizzical look before replying : "I don't believe in quarrelling with success. Mae West has struck a vein which for a time is popular. She has brought to the screen a type we never meet, but one which is fascinating. It appeals to women even more, I think, than to men. She has a way, a dazzle and charm, that all women envy. She represents a form cf femininity not possible to women generally. Other actresses have other individualities. Marlene Dietrich does an intelligent job. I'm not drawn particularly to a beautiful face, but by an intelligent one. That's why I'm out for the 'bit' player. The stars, of course, attract more attention. There's Joan Crawford. She flashes on you so vividly that you can't help noticing her. And I like her work. She is a very capable actress and reads her lines well. As for her style, I suppose it's of today, isn't it? Helen Hayes is marvelous because she can be of any time, any age. I admire Norma Shearer from the standpoint of workmanship. But my favorite actress is Helen Hayes." You will have noticed that Eddie Guest stresses intelligence. Likewise his own intelligence makes him a man of definite and decided opinions. "Here, then," he summed up, "is a great form of amusement to which people naturally turn, particularly children. The trick for parents is to share it. At the same time they must discriminate between good pictures and bad pictures which seek to lower the standard of propriety. This too, should be borne in mind by Hollywood." I couldn't help wondering what he thought of Hollywood as a "home" town. "Hollywood," he said, "has home people like ourselves. We live here exactly as we do in Detroit. I don't know anything about Hollywood's bizarre life." "Suppose you write me a poem about Hollywood," I recklessly proposed. "All right," he generously agreed, "I'll try to give my idea of it." You've already found it, at the top of this piece, to be a sympathetic, considerate, and human one. "Was it a surprise," I inquired, "when you were asked to be a movie actor?" "It was a shock," laughed Eddie. "I wondered, 'What have I done to deserve this?' I'd never even acted before the mirror. And I got all the kidding in the world. But it wasn't a bit funny to me. I was worried, and still am. It's like standing on the edge of a new country, knowing you have to go through it, but not knowing what's ahead of you. A fine ad HOW'S THIS FOR BALANCE? We've blended KGDLS *to suit your tongue. We've mildly mentholated them to cool your throat. We've cork-tipped KGDLS to save your lips. And we've added a valuable B & W coupon in each pack, good for handsome, nationally advertised merchandise. (Offer good U.S. A. only.) So try KGDLS . . . they've got what you need. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., P. 0. Box 599, Louisville, Ky. Tray Bar — Solid walnut & chrome tray, FREE. Write for illustrated 28-page BriJgcTable Cover — Washable suede, convenient folding stand. 800 coupons B & W premium booklet, No. 11 Comes in red or green . . . 100 coupons RALEIGH CIGARETTES. ..NOW AT POPULAR PRICES. ..ALSO CARRY B&W COUPONS