FILM STARS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15274, 26 June 1923, Page 8

FILM STARS.

NEW NAMES FOR 1923. OLD-TIMERS 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 Cordon, in the San Francisco Chronicle, and of these • some will survive to become national .figures in the years to come;’ some will shine fitfully, and then disappear. *uch is the law that seems to govern ■ihe destinies of 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 coming 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 be is considered the Chaplin of drama. He is the antithesis of Torrence. As slight of figure as Chaplin, and even nattier in attire, this discovery of Marshall Neifan 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 Tal- ’ madge sisters, Harlan has awakened to ' the fact that he was born an actor. He is now on the high road to stardom in Tom Forman productions for B. P. Schulberg. One thing we like about Harlan. He objects to being hailed as Wallace Reid's 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 on his . own. Therefore he is creating a new • line of screen idols, genuine acting portrayals in he-man roles. Right on his heels are several other young men, Richard Dix, Reginald Denny, and Malcolm M'Gregor. Like Harlan, Dix is an actor who has been 1 before the public for several years. In fact, he was a well-known leading man in serious dramatic roles. Denny is a graduate of the English stage, while young M'Gregor is a former Yale 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 for their types, for example, Valentino in “The Four Horsemen 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 min'd 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 Waggon” reveals 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, and

*ll Hollywood is rooting for him. Tony lloreno has married into the Canfield millions, but he has determined to reestablish himself on the screen. So successful were his first attempts that he was signed to a five-year contract by Famous Players-Lasky. One of the tragedies of the 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 find themselves in 1923 —Theodore Kosloff, the boyish Glenn Hunter, and the fat, funny Walter Hiers. All are under contract to Husky. Hiers is already a star. It is rumoured that Kosloff is to be starred In dramatic roles. Feminine Stars. Unfortunately there are few feminine additions to the “Who’s Who" worth getting excited about. That s Why we ask their pardon for taking the men first. In Hollywood it is the consensus of opinion that Marie Provost, Lea trice Joy, Mae Busch, Barbara la Marr, Virginia Valli, Jacqueline Logan, Madge Bellamy, and'Barbara Bedford appear to be the substantially promising bets. Unlike the two men, Torrence and Griffith, none of the promising girl stars have appeared over night. Instead, these young ladies have been gradually developing into capable actresses. Marie Prevost and Mae Buscli 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 arc girls who started as “extras” several years ago, who have ■worked hard, with the result that they have become dramatic actresses of worth; Madge Bellamy and Jacqueline Logan are stage beauties of whom no one expected very much, but who have come through surprisingly. Of the feminine newcomers, Barbara la Marr is the nearest to a sensation, because she is the first real “vampire successor to Theda Bara. Like the Latin lovers, she may be doomed to be a victim of sensation, but she has revealed unusual 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 the offering are those of Mae Marsh, Blanche Sweet, and Theda Bara. The former is already hard at work with D. W. Griffith in “The White Rose,” and the word comes from New York that she is going to make the grade. Miss Sweet is making her come-back under the guidance of her husband, Marshall Ncilan. Regarding Theda Bara, if the ex-vampire queen makes good her determination to return to the screen, emphatically stated as she stepped from the train in Los Angeles a few days ago, the result will be most interesting. Her popularity was ruiDed by sensation and ensuing ridicule, and if she can overcome such tremendous odds it will only prove what a great many intelligent Hollywood critics believe, that Theda Bara with the vampire gloss removed- a. ccliT-s*