West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 1 February 1935, page 2


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GEORGE ARLISS & NORM A SHEARER Most Popular Stars with English Audiences.

BRITISH filmgoers in 1934 like George Arliss and Norma Shearer best, and they liked James Cagney and Mae West least. This is revealed in the fourth

Questionnaire issued by Sidney Bernstein to the patrons of the 31 cinemas he controls throughout the country. He received answers from 124,837 filmgoers. The most surprising conclusion from their replies (writes the London 'Dally Express') is the steady dominance of Hollywood stars on British screens, de spite the big British film push of the past 18 months. The two most popular English stars, Jack Hulbert and Grade Fields, can aspire no higher than seventh place each. They are beaten by George Arliss, Clark Gable, Wallace Beery, Clive Brook, Robert Montgomery and Ronald Colman among the men; and by Norma Shearer, the late Marie Dressier, Greta Garbo, Kay Francis, Marlene Dietrich, and Katharine Hepburn among thr women. Greta Garbo, who has been seen in only one film, 'Queen Christina,' in 1934 has jumped from sixth to third place in the voting since the last question naire was taken in 1932, a tribute to a great artist's work in a great film. Norms Shearer remains at the top, but Ronald Colman (who has had a long absence from the screen) yields first place to Mr. Arliss, dropping back to No. 6. Forgotten Favourites. The short life of a film favourite Is vividly revealed by the fact that none of the first six women favourites of 1928 appear anywhere in the 1934 list. And that list is 50 strong. The film stars of 1928 were Betty Balfour, Clara Bow,

Esther Ralston, Vilma Banky, Florence Vidor and Mary Pickford. Among ths men, only Ronald Colman survived pas sage of the past six years. Richard Dix, Douglas Fairbanks, sr., Adolphe Menjou, Syd Chaplin and Charlie Chaplin failed to reach the first 10. , In two years Clark Gable has risen from No. 28 to No. 2; but Maurice Chevalier has dropped from 5 to 19. The questionnaire shows that, women cast a great majority of the votes for Warner Baxter, Herbert Marshall and Fredric March; while men accounted for the popularity of Jack Hulbert, Charles Laughton, Lionel Barrymore and Tom Walls. Men go to the cinema to see Marlene Dietrich, Kay Francis and Jean Harlow. Women go to see Garbo and Hepburn. The voting on the question, 'Which film star do you dislike most?' has given some provocative results. Greta Garbo is the third most popular female star, but she is the second best-hated too! Among the men Jimmy Cagney only wins by a very short head In the 'Dislikes Handicap' from Lee Tracy, Adolphe Menjou and George Raft. Mae West has Garbo, Jean Harlow and Joan Crawford as companions In unpopularity. The evergreen Janet Gaynor is the eighth most popular feminine star, but the twelfth best hated. Ralph Lynn, the favourite of 1932, comes as high as No. 5 in the Hate Stakes of 1934. The questionnaire reveals that war films are most disliked of all. They occupy the bottom of the table with both men and women, but it Is a significant thing that In the 'under 21' group they are a little better liked than travel films. Young filmgoers dislike society drama al most as much as they hate war films and travelogues.

Jack Hulbert will next be seen at an air force pilot in 'The Camels are Coming' (Qainsborough), which, as the popular comedian's headwear Indicate*, Is set in Egypt. He ha* recently completed 'Alias Bulldog Drummond,' with Fay Wray, of Hollywood, at hit leading lady.

Jack Hulbert will next be seen at an air force pilot in 'The Camels are Coming' (Qainsborough), which, as the popular comedian's headwear Indicate*, Is set in Egypt. He ha* recently completed 'Alias Bulldog Drummond,' with Fay Wray, of Hollywood, at hit leading lady.