Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-06

today nave developed nner sense OF
true worth in the motion picture play
than they have in certain other of the
arts, which perhaps accounts for the
popularity of the German productions.
II remember the evening Passion
was first shown to an invited audience
at the Bellevue, 1t was labeled "A
French Production Hardly had the
picture progressed ten minutes before
there were doubts as to its being OF
French origin, and by the time 1t was
half completed enough familiar German
scenes had been observed by the trav-
eled audience to disprove the exhibitors
announcement.
However, in spite of this deception,
the true worth Of the picture won fa-
vorable criticism for Pola Negri's work.
''Some years ago company endeav-
ored to produce pictures working with
a policy of the plays the thing The
merely pretty actress was eliminated
and some worth while stories were
filmed. The venture evidently was
little too soon, for one now never hears
of Bluebird Plays. The German films
fill that place today. Who could for
pct the insane and twisted Caligari,
the weird legend of The Golem: the
dramatic climaxes in Intrigue. ana
the fantasy of One Arabian Night!
"I should rather see Americans pro-
ducing these plays. but | shudder to
think of the fate of the Prague tale. l
am quite sure the 'GOlem' would be
handsome and given many. changes OF
costume, 'Prettiness' is the curse OF
American productions.
''By the way, what is the reason
Wilde's Dorian Gray has never been
filmed? Here is an admirable story for
the Germans. Two years ago heard
three American companies were work.
ing with this plot. What was Its fate:
("Dorian Gray" was filmed some
time ago with Schildkraut, of "Iiliom'
fame, but the picture has never. been
shown here. The film rights for Amer
len have long been owned by the Lasky
peoplc. who have figured on starring
John barrymore In 1t. but this has
never been done. I don't know why)
"AIount Airy Mary"-You may be
sure that your letter to Richard Bar
thclmcss will get to his mother. at least.
She is n very faithful and enthusiastic
unofficial secretary, and II 1t was reapg
n nice letter and not too gushing, she may
answer it or even get Dick to do It.
Rut YOU must remember that since his
success as a star he Is getting thousands
of letters a week and 1t would be physi.
cally impossible to answer them ana
carry on his work. don't know the
exact birthdays of Meighan ana Gloria
Swanson. but March I Is Agnes AXres
and October 10 Is Wallace Reld's. IheS
do make personal appearances when
they have time, but J doubt y any OF
them will be in Philadelphia before next
winter.
"CIeo" writes: Il saw Lee Win.
throp's letter and April, and
couldn't resist writing any longer. ]
never knew two persons to agree more
perfcctly than Lee and myself. per-
tanning to Eric Won Stroheim. Why. he
is an artist. When you said he IL
II genius. did you mean it sarcasticaiiy
"Of course, didn't like Foolish
Wives but most assurediy liked Won
Stroheim's acting. Also the servant.
Miss du Pont Is all right. but too artl-
fetal and can't act ut all.
"But. as to April; horrors. SO she
thinks Valentines mouth and smile are
'boyish.' Mon Dieu (pardon my
French. And. as to Harriet H., she
must Judge others by herself. ] think
George Arliss is most decidedly an
artist and genius, don't you? So she
thinks Valentino. O'Brien and Mix are
wonderful actors? Also she considers
Elinor Glyn's stories classics. Bunk
And. as to the average intelligence Of
movie fans!
"You don't like Nazimova. either, do
YOU? Well. ] adore her. She Is n true
artist and genius. ! am anxious to see
her portrayal of 'Salome. y
(So'm ]; it'll be fine comedy. If she
keeps on as she's been going. Did you
take Harriet HIS letter seriously?
didn't. 1t seemed 10 me to be very
plainly kidding letter.
was not n bit sarcastic when | said
Won Stroheim was u genius. lie Is,
I'm sorry to say. If he weren't, his
perncious viewpoints would not be i'm :
portant enough to make fuss about. }
G. II. Decker writes: "You GER
tainly should be proud of the happy
family Of movie fans you are gathering
around you. And how nicely they
scrap among themselves. and with YOU,
and then end M by telling you how
much they like you.
"And your plainly spoken opinions
of some OF the stars. 1t IL indpel
refreshing To read them and know that
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