FILM STARS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 142, 16 June 1923, Page 20

FILM STARS

MANY NEW NAMES FOR 1923 OLD-TIMERS WHO HAVE COME BACK "LATIN LOVERS" VERSUS THE ANGLO SAXON. '

The Who's Who of the 1923 screen will contain many new names —mostly men —and many ■ familiar ones will be missing. New faces flash across the silver sheet, says Scoop Conlon, in the "San Francisco Chronicle," and of these some will survive to become national figures in the years to come; Borne will shine fitfully, and then disappear. Such is the law. that seems to govern the destinies flf mortals who bask in the sunshine of public favour.. Oddly enough, the men have far overshadowed the fair sex during the past few months. It appears that the day of the beautiful dumbbell is over. The young women who give rare promise of rising to screen fame in 1923 are actresses. Some are beautiful and some are not.

During the decline of the pampered pets the actor has. been coining into his. own. Outstanding among the newcomers | are two character actors, Ernest Torrence and Raymond Griffith. To the public Raymond Griffith is practically unknown, yet to the "insiders" in studioland he is considered the Chaplin of drama. He is the anthithesis of Torrence. As slight of figure as Chaplin, and even nattier in attire, this discovery of Marshall Neilan has contributed some of the finest acting performances of the recent months, LEADING MEN. Kenneth Harlan has shown the most distinctive advance in the field of leading men, more than holding his own against the invasion of Latin lovers. After several years of playing the handsome background for the Talmadge sisters, Harlan has awakened- to the fact that he was born an actor. He is now on the high road 1 to stardom in Tom Forman productions for B. P. Schul- j herg. One thing we like about Harlan. ■He objects to being hailed as Wallace Roid'a' successor, particularly because he was one of the latter's greatest admirers and friends. He doesn't believe anyone can ever succeed the one and only "Wallie." And he prefers to establish himself «n i his own. Therefore he is creating a new line of screen idols, genuine acting portrayals in he-man roles. E.ight on his heels are several other y^-ing men, Richard Dix, Reginald Denny, and Malcolm M'Gretror. Like Harlan, Dix is an actor who has been before the public for several years. In fact, he was a well-known stii^e leading man in serious dramatio rolee. Denny is a graduate of the English stage, while 'young M'Gregor is a former Yal« athlete, extremely likable. Of the Latin lovers but one reveals any promise, Ramon Navarro. whom Rex Ingram is pushing to the: front as a successor to the temperamental Valentino. In roles suitable to. .their,types, for example, Valentino in "The Four Horse, men of the Apocalypse" and "Blood and Sand" ; or, Navarro in the recent "Where the Pavement Ends," are excellent, but how many stories can be found to suit their Latin personalities? Speaking of the rage for sleek, black-haired screen lovers, we can't help call to mind the keen, analytical criticism of a brilliant Hollywood woman writer: "Sensation is founded upon sand, and Valentino is a sensation." There you have it.

NOTABLE "COME-BACKS."

\ Quite interesting are the come-backs of J. Warren Kerrigan and Antonio Moreno. It appears that both have made good their attempts. The former's performance in "The Covered ■ Wagon" r_o-v-eals him a much better actor than in the old days, and as good looking as ever. Kerrigan is one of the best-liked men in Hollywood, a quiet, retiring chap, who was extremely devoted to his late mother, nnd all Hollywood is rooting ior him. Tony Moreno has married into the Can field millions,-but he has determined u> re-establish himself on the screen. So successful were his first attempts that fir was signed to a five-year contract by Famous Players-Lasky. '

One of the tragedies of tha. screen is> the waste of Jack Gilbert in pictures. Here is one of the few ■ young actors who reveal genius. To my knowledge there are several of the leading producing companies who would double his salary'for the privilege of starring him, but he is under contract to a company that is apparently blind to worth. Three widely different personalities are expected to Jind themselves in 1923— Theodore Kosloff, the boyish Glenn Hunter, and the fat, funny Walter Hiers. All are under contrnft to Lasky. Hiers is already a star, it is rumoured that Koslt>ff is to he starred in diamatic roles. And young Hunter will soon make his debut in his famous stagn role, "Merton of II" 1 Movies," by Harry Leon Wilson.

FEMININE STARS.

Unfortunately there are few feminine additions to the "Who's Who" worth getting excited about. That's why we ask their pardon lor taking the men first.

In Hollywood it is the consensus of opinion that Marie Prevost, Leatrice Joy, Mac Busch, Barbara.la Marr. Virginia Valli, Jacqueline Logan, Madge Bellamy, and B-irb.ira Bedford appear to be the substantially promising bets. Unlike the two men, Toyrence and Griffith, none of the promising girl.stars have appeared ever night. Instead, these young ladies have been gradually developing into capable actresses. Marie Pro. vost and Mac Busch are graduates of the Sennett Comedy School, who have been devoting themselves to drama for more than two years.

Leatrice Joy, Virginia Valli, and Barbara Bedford are girls who started as "extras" several years ago. who have worked hard, with the result that they have become dramatic actressea of worth'; Madge Bellamy and Jacqueline Logan ore stage beauties oE whom no one- expected very much, but who have come through surprisingly.

Of the feminine newcomer?, Barbara !a Marr is the 'iearest to a sensation, because she is the first real "vampire"' Successor to Theda Bara. like the lovers, she may lie doomed to be a victim of sensation, but she has revealed unui'ual emotional ability. She would have ■a dangerous rival in Nita Naldi if the latter would take herself and her work seriously.

The only feminine come-backs in tlie offering ,-.r3 those of Mao Jtliirsh, Blanche and Theda Bara. Tin: former is V'ready. hard at work with.D. \V: Griflith iv "Tl:b White Rc.se," and the word ctmes from No'v York that she is going to muka die grads Miss Sweet .in making her come-back nailer the guidance of lief'husband. Marshall Neilan. Regarding Theda Bara, if the ex-vampire queen make" good he 1. 1 determination to return fco-tlu .-creon, emphatically stated as she. slopped from (he train ju Los Angeles a lew clays .iro, the result will I" most interesting. Her popularity iv;is ruined by sensation anil ensuing ridicule, and if she- e;i■ i ovsreoinn such tremendous odds it will only prove what a great' many n.idligent Hollywood iiri.S '? believe, that TluifU. Bara, with t!-,« v»n. pivs gloss removed, k » eapble. &«:rj;M.