Screen Lovers

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 514, 17 November 1928, Page 23

Screen Lovers

Actors who Capture Woman’s Imagination

ENGLISHMEN POPULAR

Since three-fourths of the filmffoers all over the world arc women, in reality film, actors are much more important than actresses.

Women, perhaps unfortunately, but undeniably, are eternally Interested in love in the abstract. In the worldfamous actors they judge those characteristics which to them are of supreme importance. John Gilbert, for instance, really entrenched himself in the cinema public’s affections long ago, when in “His Hour” he made desperate love to Aileen Pringle—l seem to recall that he showered a chain of kisses up the length of her bare arm. He has repeated his success several times, turning his avid glances - now upon Mae Murray, now Greta Garbo, and giving the women in the audience a new, glowing dream about his own particular type of “perfect lover.” There was a time when Latin lovers had their vogue. There is still a supply of them—Don Alvarado, Gilbert Roland, and latest of all, Alexander D’Arcy. From the woman's point of view they represent a desirable dancing partner, guaranteed to pay thrilling compliments and squeeze their companion’s hand effectively, rather than the more highly esteemed admirer serviceable on all occasions. It is Ronald Colman who more nearly fulfils the feminine ideal—a man who, besides other qualities, possesses that of appearing an eminently desirable husband. He has an air of unapproachableness, is courteous, good-looking without being too decorative.