Screenland (Nov 1941-Apr 1942)

store in Santa Monica recently. Up until then I was not particularly a Joel McCrea fan. But from here out I am. Why? First : Because when he saw how embarrassed I was he smiled politely and passed on, leading by the hand his cute little son, for whom he had just bought £. pair of tennis shoes. SECOND: Because he was democratic enough and sensible enough to buy his kid shoes at Penny's when he could have afforded some with gold laces from "Ye Very Exclusive Shoppe." THIRD : Because he was dressed in real life in that easy, countryish way he appears in so many pictures — big. white hat and soft shirt open at the throat. FOURTH: Because he took time out to be a real daddy and pal to his kid. Joel McCrea himself, not a governess, was leading that youngster by the hand. If Hollywood had fewer hot lovers, pretty boys and sweet papas, and more real homespun daddies like Joel McCrea, we mothers wouldn't worry so much about the pictures our own offsprings soak up at the neighborhood theaters. MRS. BONNIE L. ADAMS, Santa Monica, Calif. Now comes the time of year when one and all try to proclaim their series of "Ten Bests," usually based on artistic merit or box-office success. This is well and good, since movies are a huge industry which must succeed financially in order to survive. However, I think that besides box-office popularity and appeal, the people and forces behind picture entertainment provide other human values that are difficult to group in serial numbers. There is the eternal groping of the human mind, finding new expression in "Fantasia" and "Citizen Kane." There is the courage of risking careers for motherhood, by stars like Jane Wyman, Veronica Lake and Alice Faye ; there is humanitarian helpfulness by performers never too busy to work for War Relief and other uncounted, unknown charities ; there is the innate sympathy and unselfishness that gives welcome to refugee talent, and there is the grand tolerance of racial kindred that stands ready to give credit to a Hattie McDaniel or a "Rochester." No, you can't list all the "Ten Bests" in Hollywood, but perhaps it is this mass of unclassified human values that makes movies the everyday entertainment for Mr. Everyman in his manv moods and desires. MRS. B. B. JACKSON, Ludlow, Ky. _ Well, blow me down ! Hand me those binoculars, mates, so I can take a better look at that fascinating new actor, Joseph Cotten. He's even handsomer and more incredibly brilliant in "Lydia" than he was in "Citizen Kane." People as good looking as Joe never can act, but shiver me timbers if Joe isn't _ acting perfection personified ! Whoever said you have to go down south to pick cotton? I'm picking Cotten right here and now for an Academy Award. If he doesn't start collecting Awards like a magnet drawing pins, I'll be greatly disappointed. So I'm raving, huh ? Nope, when it comes to discussing my favorite actor, Joe Cotten, I'm too enthusiastic to rave. I just gibber! JEAN SHEPARD, Oakland, Calif. Who wants "historical accuracy" in the movies? Perhaps Mr. Ben Wacker (first I prize November Screenland) who teaches: I American History in San Antonio may, , but not the majority of moviegoers. We go to the movies to be entertained not instructed, so we enjoy their vagaries, i What would have happened to "Suez" if Count de Lesseps (Henry Stephenson) had arrived grey-haired with wife and seven I