Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-20
THE MOVIE FANS LETTER.BOX
By HENRY NJ. NEELY

Constance Marie O'Hara writes
''fou occasionally say worry d:sagrecable
things. but as all things pertaining to
rhe theatre are. as it were. my prcdom-
ihant passion, and you are somewhat OF
\ connoisseur along those lines. I will
forget those things. as would only
prove myself disasreeable by remember
ing them.
You say that after meeting stage
people your idols are broken and your
illusions smashed because they think
Only Of themselves. Is it not true.
hevever, that the average man is car
IN the empire of egotism. and every
AID stage people. being merely men and
women, are no exception to the general
rule?
"Seriously though. ! have had the
good fortune to meet one OF the most
charming personalities on the stage to-
day, woman of keen brain. magnificent
art and steadfast loyalty to her prin-
ctples, and I would sav that her life
was an inspiration on which to dwell.
"As a matter Of TACT, If you have
really known actors and actorines (your
expresxion) who are serious workers you
realize that they consider life far too
short to do anything that is not beau .
tiful or good, and that excludes petty
vanity.
'.We bear o great deal about the IN.
fortunate conditions prevailing in iol..
lywood Not being an ink singer oil
J can say. is that some of the members
II the colony who were too young 10
meet the heavy responsibilities of fame
pSrieyed with virtue, and that is to sue
cimb to vice.
''And here is a question for the or
acle Of wisdom to answer: Is IL cour-
aye and belief in your capabilities,
Plus a capacity for work, that are nec-
eUayy assets for success on the stage.
or 10 IL just a question Of luck:
"You know you are theatrical critic
and that is very akin to being Judge
minus the salary. and here's a bit OF
advice from want-to-be. When you
sft In judgment turn the chair upside
down, and see how wouDly the legs are,
my motto is: Don't argue. you never
can convince any one. XIII en- out
7'Hope you won't hold this letter
agaipSt me, as truth makes villains of
uS ALL"
(Wby should I hold that letter against
you? You re absolutely entitled to your
own opinions and the fact that we dis
asree In some things doesn't bar yon
Sscm this department or from my liking
and respect. OF course, there are some
meet estimsble actors and actresses on
beth stage and screen. ] didn't mean
my little disparaging remark to be taken
asa blanket indictment OF the whole
profession. But any one who has lived
es close to the game as have had to
do will admit that actors and actresses
are far more self f-centered than the
ueual run of people and that the less
cause there Is for them to be self salts
Sied the more self satisfied they are. AS
ySu 70 down in the scale OF ability and
Accomplishment you find this ego in
9sasing)
"An Old Timer" writes: "Wcll, here
4 an. after religiously refusing for the
~ ten years to be lured into writing
~ answer man. see all the good pic.
fVSss OF the year Eyes, and some bad
eiea too.)
NsBut, now, take a keen interest in
gexnS column. and after reading a mic"
\ SSpal letter like lee sends in, |
MT hep but be IN the running. too.
3 n1oed. remember the good old days
1Gr9 q. Iss!e~'sd ~ uiesel -