NORMA SHEARER IS FIRST AMONG “ STARS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 25 (Supplement)

NORMA SHEARER IS FIRST AMONG “ STARS.”

AMERICAN ESTIMATE OF THE POWER THEY HOLD.

_ Another of those ruthless examinations of the money-pulling force of the “stars” has been made by Mr Tamar Lane, the editor of the “Film Mercury” of Hollywood. His conclusions, he says, are based on a personal survey across, the entire United States—against which, in the present condition of things, any merely English preferences are of relatively little account. His calculations put Norma Shearer at the top among the women, with Maurice Chevalier heading the list of popular men. Janet Gavnor comes next, and very near, to Miss Shearer. What Miss Gay nor lost in the cities when she became a talkie actress she more than made up, it seems, .in the United States as a whole: and it may be observed that in England her picture, “Sunny Side Up,” proved one of the most successful ever sent out by the Fox Company. Greta Garbo’s Chance.

Clara Bow and Greta Garbo, who follow these two (in this popularity accountant’s estimation), are both now in a doubtful position. Miss Garbo is more likely to maintain her place than the red-haired little “It” girl. Miss

leßßssafflßinfflßßßfflfflfflßffiGßnisai Bow's gifts and attractions have not adapted themselves very happily, so far, to the demands of the sound screen. Ruth Chatterton, Nancy Carroll, Joan Crawford, Ann Ilarding and Constance Bennett appear to be on the up-grade. There remain big followings for Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, Dolores del Rio, Marion Davies, Bebe Daniels and others, but it is becoming more and more risky for these to take chances with poor stories. Nancy Carroll is expected to progress as quickly as any. Most of those who have seen her work will agree that she is an uncommonly alert and sensitive young actress. Will Rogers Second. Mr Tamar Lane gives Will Rogers as next favourite to Maurice Chevalier, which, with all Mr Rogers's ruffled-hair engagingness, may surprise cinemagoers. William Powell, of course, is one of the male rtars who have come on very rapidly. Ronald Colman continues to hold his place near the top very stead- ■ ilv. .John Gilbert’s decline since the talk- i .■mg films came has disturbed his silent film admirers. The trouble is that Mr Gilbert’s voice did not measure up with his screen personality. It was, it is . understood, of a disconcerting thinness, but they must have found a pretty thorough method of dealing with this, a for the latest news is that Mr Gilbert * is to devote himself in future to rugged ( characterisations. e Continued on Next Page.