Silver Screen (Nov 1930-Oct 1931)

i " Hundreds of letters this % month about Joan Crawford. And Clark Gable is getting plenty too. Norma / and Joan have given that boy a break and the fans have boosted him on to their own shoulders. From now on Clark Gable is dynamite— the bi^ 'est star possibility. How you fans do crowd anyone wl o bleac'hes a hair, that is all except Clara Bow and no matter what she does there are a million who will cry. That s O. K. witt» Th™ Garbo';rmy is organizing and putting up a ballyhoo which Garbo, true ''''i'^ytusttJ:'^Z:ZTre%^^^^^^ THree prizes month for letters not longer than 200 words. $15 First Prize: $10 Second and $5 Third. FIRST PRIZE Rock, Mass. IN "Honor Among Lovers" and "The Royal Family", I was delighted with the performance of Fredric March. Here at last was an actor with charm, spontaneity, and sophistication; an actor who could give the right touch to smart dialogue and an actor who could raise the intellectual standard of the movies above the moron level. His work was brilliant, clever and charming. He seemed to be an expression of the modern stage taste which has shown itself in fondness for Noel Coward and Frederick Lonsdale productions. In "The Royal Family" he was the epitome of smartness and brilliancy. People formerly disgusted with the movies for their obvious cheapness and lack of artistry began to feel more hopeful for the intellectual outlook of the movies. Then came "The Night .Angel!" Ol all the stupid, inane, cheaply melodramatic tripe, this was perhaps the worst. It was, indeed, a horrible thing to place the talents of this clever actor in rubbish of this kind. Sloppy, sentimental and sickeningiy dull, this movie was a disgrace to American culture and ideals. Please— whoever is responsible for this sort of thing-reinstate Mr. March to his former position which he held so admirably. ^ Grace Ativood SECOND PRIZE Newark, N. J. NOW, tell me if you can, why Buddy Rogers has been demoted from stardom and made to play roles in support of the stars? Is this his own idea to prove his worth as a dramatic actor or are the Paramount executives to blame? Is it possible they think him unimportant? Buddy who caused near-riots and traffic jams while making personal appearances in New York. Buddy, unfortunately, has been cast in too many unimportant productions; and although he has always given very enjoyable and entertaining performances, his roles have been limited to the light, playboy sort of thing. Give him roles worthy of his talent. Buddy, plus more mature and dramalic vehicles and the box office, will bear watching. Buddy went dramatic in a big way in Tlie l awyer s Secret", stoic the picture ami leiulercd one of the best perform ances of the month. He is no longer the debutante's delight, but a first class actor, and if starred in pictures worthy of his talent and acting ability will soar to heights unknown. , j Myrtle Wiegand THIRD PRIZE Minneapolis, Minn. WHICH does the public want, a great story or a great star? Rather, would the public prefer a great star in a poor story or mediocre players in a great story? With many, the star is the whole show. With others, a good story is the thing. Now, I would enjoy Garbo if she were sitting in a rocking chair knitting. The best story of the season would not appeal to me if it had a poor cast. I realize it's a shame to waste a brilliant star in a cheap story, still I maintain it's the star that draws the crowds. How many times have we heard, "I don't know how good that picture may be, but I like her '(or him) in anything, so come on, let's go? And how manv times it is said, "I think that would be an interesting picture, but I don't like the cast, no one worth seeing in it." . How do other readers feel about this question? The ideal combination is a good star in a good story; providing we can't always have that much desired thing, what do we want most, good stars or good stories? C. /. Neiuton CLARK GABLE Bartlesville, Okla. WHAT an INSPIRATION. Well, I must say I received mine from no one else except that Clark Gable. Could anv other man put more appeal and reality in one picture than the one and only Clark. Fans will admit that Norma Shearer is good, and no doubt she is, but, it takes the male part in the picture to bring out what the fans call a box office attraction. Give Clark the pictures and you will see a man reach the ladder of success, if he has not alreach done so. What a knockout he gave you in "A Free Soul", and what a wallop he dea t you in loan Crawford's last picture, lo tell the truth, that is only the first coat, but wait, my stars, this Gable man is going somewhere and I can sec through the glasses Clark is headed for stardom. W. R Julien JOAN CRAWFORD Cookeville, Tenn. THIS is a letter of praise and there are no hisses at all. I want to express mv admiration of Joan Crawford and would like to do so through your magazine. I think Miss Crawford the most brilliant actress that the American fans have had the pleasure and privilege of seeing and hearing on our screen. She is the personification of everything that any girl could ever desire to be. She is sophisticated, beautiful, has a charming voice, and dances like nobodv s business! I have no idea that I am telling anyone something new. Ho\\ever, I still maintain that she is nothing short of marvelous. Actresses may come and they mav go, but Joan still holds her own. I worship at her shrine! Fay Bennett BLEACHED BLONDES Buffalo, N. Y. WHY don't the stars stay natural? I suppose the answer is that thev think thev are improving themselves by bein.ff dramatic or prettier, but are they? When Nancy Carroll first came into the movies, wasn't she sweet with her short dark hair? Now it is bleached to look lighter on the screen. Joan Crawford with her light hair . . . Dorothy Lee with light hair and not half so sweet . . . Clara Bow now a platinum blonde. About the only natural girl on the screen is Ruth Chaterton. She is most alwavs the same. Ruth looks just like any girl you might meet while walking down the street. I don't mean to be an old crab, but it makes me angry to see my favorite stars getting so artificial. A little criticism, meant to "be helpful, won't hurt them. C. A. Beuche ANOTHER SOS Waterbury. Conn. MRS. Doug Jr., you should be spanked .rood and hard. ^Vhat have vou done to vour beautiful hair? In "Laughing Sinners " vou ha\c turned into one of those very unnatural blondes. It's a shame! Mv crowd thinks your a knockout. And how. But go back to normal and let bleaching alone. hee Cronin Silver Screen