The New York herald., 1922-01-15
High Lights and
ShadOWS On NeWS
of Motion Pictures
Masculine Stars in the Movies
More Popular Than the
Feminine.
Dy FRANK VREELAND.

ular than feminine stars is a
fact that appears to have been scarcely
noticed in film columns, where practi
cally everything is commented upon,
but it is a fact just the same. The
golden haired woman is the bird of
paradise on the stage. Plays are built
around her, press agents are able to
pay plumbers bills cheerfully because
just a little above the wax bust in a
hairdresser's window. Exhibitors the
country around testify that dimples
are going in the discard-it's the
trousers that win trust and confidence.
No single feminine star. for in
stance, equals half the popularity of
Douglas Fairbanks, with or without
moustache. Not even his own wife,
the delectable Miss Mary Pickford
can touch his wide appeal, though
probably Douglas would be the first to
knock any one down who said that.
tHence ii is stated here in the safety
of print) That was indicated clearly
in the contrast between the compara-
lively short run in New York of her
Little Lord Fauntleroy," which came
and faded at the Apollo Theater, while
right alongside of it Douglas in THE
Three Musketeers' ripped on his way
unchecked by the kings army. Neither
Miss Norma Talmadge nor any other
queen of celluloid can compare in
drawing power with Wallace Reid,
Charles Ray-until recently-or Will
lam S. Hart. who is virtually as quick
on the draw with his gun and the box
office as he ever was. despite the fact
that the public is beginning to choke
on desert dust and Hart has married.
generally a fatal blow to many in
ones feminine contingent. Goldwyn
never had a woman star who equalled
Rogers who probably would be free to
acknowledge that they had several
who were just a mite prettier than
he was.
And no actress seems capable of
catching up with Charlie Chaplin, either
as actor or husband. Most women stars
are just on par in popular favor with
the Grade Il. nonpasteurized men lumin-
aries-the kind of hero who depend upon
Norfolk jackets and their manipulation
OF long cigarette holders for dramatic
smash. IL Is even whispered that the re-
doubtable Mary. hitherto regarded as
mistress of all she surveyed on the dis
taft side. is finding some of the keen edge
of her glory being dulled, so that when
she appears at town only one brass
band blares where two blew before.
Miss Pickford is reported to be relaxing
her tight hold on some of the larger
cities. but in the rural districts she still
has the fans in a strangle hold and can
summon tears to her aid whenever
needed.
1t may be unchvalrous in this age to
deny equal rights to women for immor-
tslity on the silver sheet, but the grim
truth must be faced--ask any box office
man. The reason for this discrimina-
tion-which not even resolutions on the
part of women's clubs can rectify-is
generally traced to the fact that men
patrons admire the virile appearance of
masculine stars on the screen. and the
women just love 'em anyhow. Men
don't have to listen to the actors. as on
the stage. mouthing sweet speeches in
rich, fruity voices that suggest cultured
catarrh. BY its silence the screen is
constrained to place emphasis on strong
and almost violently physical action, and
men like that--in others, at least By
the same token actresses before the
or looking pretty. for it would not do
for one of them to be rough and rowdy
In more than one plcture-Miss Mabel
Normand excepted But men rarely
care to have the emotion laid on thick.
and they feel that so often actresses In
looking pretty have taxed their mental
capacity to its limit.
There are some interesting degrees of
priority among the men. though their
81 N mo ff
Ike a fever chart. Chaplin. of course.
Is looked upon as in a class by himself.
the Mount Everest of the photoplay
business. with a name above price In an
Industry where most reputa tions have TO
be handled with care. right side up. In
some cities of the East and the South
cast Wallace Reid surpasses Fairbanks
IN his clutch on the affections. which
may come as 2. shock to those who be-
lieved that a smile was more potent
than an automobile steering wheel. But
in the Southwest and the West Fair
banks reigns more popular than soap.
About the middle of next month there
will trickle out OF this port a party of
lterary and artistic illuminate. including
Marc Connolly. who will make the
modern Pilgrims Progress TO Los
Angeles Besides Playwright Connolly.
Robert G. Benchley. magazine dramatic
critic; Robert r. Sherwood. magazine
movie critic Dorothy Parker, just a
magazine critic Ralph Barton. illustra-
ter, and perhaps John Held. Jr., who is
also surprised often in the act OF Illus
trating. will be among these Holy Grail
efs 20 Hollywood. They will be crowded
thf ough the Panama Canal and will no
doubt sail into San Diego harbor with
cut single gun being fired
They are 20 remain away on the gra nd
tour for several months. or until the
film colony begins 20 exhibit signs OF
distress. II has been recommended TO
them that they have some other purpose
besides seeing the sights and exposing
everything within view. for Los Angeles
society is getting hardened 20 that II
has. In fact been suggcT.ed 20 these
Argonsuts of California that they give
The movie myriads novel thrill by
founding "a new religion there. and the
travellers are seriously considering this.
A historic landmark which they will
no doubt visit Is Cecil b. DE- Miles
home. which Is regarded as one OF the
big sights Of the town. just as the Eden
Musee used TO be here. Outside II is
In the form OF a bungalow, with rough
log finish. but inside Il has Chinese cell
ings. French furniture and ballroom
noors--the sort OF furnishings in which
DE Miles own herolnes refrain forciblv
from discarding their husbands. II Il
considered quite a trick place-virtualiy,
Los Angeles expressing It's domestic
soul In art.