The Washington times., 1936-01-10

set. It appears that the Senegam-
bian extras like to WOO lady luck
with the galloping dominoes. w.
B. are not afraid that "de Lawd"
Of Marc Connolly's pastoral drama
will be outraged at the sight Of
the spotted cubes, but rather that
If the dice roll wrong, fights will
start. Hence the studio heaven
will be one without Harlem'S fav.
orite pastime.
ABOUT MIR. GILBERT
John Gilbert, so they say, never
recovered from the blow which his
pride suffered when movie audi
enceS no longer turned out for his
pictures. It wasn't the financial
loss, for the actor had been smart
enough to tie Metro oldwyn-
Mayer to a long-term contract at
a very fancy salary.
M-G-M made numerous efforts
to settle this contract with their
once greatest star, but Mr.. Gil
bert held them strictly to the
letter Of the bond. The contract
made him q rich man, but not q
happy one. Jack became bitter
and moody and tried to forget.
The closing sentence in the
letter he wrote confirming his
separation from Ina Claire tells
It.
Il am going to miss you ter.
ribly, but I'm not fit company
now. Nor do / want any one
about me. Please forgive me,
pet. Thine, Jack"
Like Clark Gable, he was cata-
pulled to the heights almost over
night. 1.-THE Big Parade" made
John Gilbert, and his later aSso-
citation with Greta Carlo in
Flesh and the Devil" and Love"
among other things, made him an
international screen favorite. With
Mae Murray he shared in the sue
cess Of THE Merry Widow" and
he was at the very top Of the
heap when sound pictures arrived.
The audible pictures ruined
John Gilbert. In ellis Glorious
Night" he attempted the same ro-
mantle technique which had
proven so tremendously appeal
ing in the silent pictures. Audi
ences Uttered and then openly
laughed. It was a staggering blow
to the actor, but there was still
hope that by NOR. subdued meth
DDS he might retain some Of his
great popularity.
Greta Carlo made a generous
gesture by giving her former
sweetheart of the screen a good
role in Queen Christina" but the
attempt at a comeback proved
futile.
John Gilbert reasoned it out
that he might be restored to
favor if he tried less emotionally
appealing roles. became in fact
a villain. So he tried this idea
out in two pictures, Fast Work
ers" and Downstairs" In the
latter feature he was a thorough
cad, but the returns showed he
was not as popular as with
heroic characters.
Gilbert's high pitched voice
somehow never seemed to go with
his attractive features and
physique.
Some contend that his mar
riages helped to disSipate the
Gilbert strength at the box office.
I doubt it, for there are too
many in Hollywood whose popu-
larity remains unchanged through
matrimony and divorce.
1 think the heart-breaking
thing for John Gilbert was to
be a minor and inconsequential
figure in an industry where he
was once a king. He never ad-
justed himself to the changed
condition or tried, like the late
Lowell Sherman-to become a
director. He might, like Lowell,
have become good one.
MAXINE IN CANADA
News about Maxine Doyle has
been scarce lately, although a
Christmas card from the THANK
You" girl apprised that she was
still in Hollywood. Maxine, &C
cording to the Coast bulletins, has
been on location in Northern
Canada making q feature for
Central Pictures.