Louise Brooks: Byline as Mae Tinee

Today, the Chicago Tribune ran a fun and interesting article called "10 things you might not know about film critics." Among others, it discusses the reviews of Pulitzer Prize winners Carl Sandburg (the early 20th century poet and Lincoln biographer) and Rogert Ebert (the late film critic), each of whom wrote about Louise Brooks. And coming in at number 5 was this bit:

For decades, Tribune movie reviewers wrote under a fake byline as Mae Tinee (Get it? "Matinee"). Among the writers using the byline were Frances Peck Kerner, Anna Nangle and Maurine Dallas Watkins, who wrote the play that was adapted into the award-winning musical "Chicago."

What's interesting to note for fans of Louise Brooks is that "Mae Tinee" reviewed a number of films starring or featuring the actress. As is evident, Tinee had an appreciation for Brooks. Here is a chronological list.

Tinee, Mae. "Bathing Beauties or Trick Dog - Your Choice Offered." Chicago Tribune, February 9, 1926.
--- "The story isn't a world heater, but it's an interesting little yarn so well directed and beautifully boxed that it will sell anywhere. . . . The film doesn't drag a minute."

Tinee, Mae. "Adolphe Menjou Proves He's No One Role Actor." Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1926. 

 --- "Louise Brooks, who plays the small town sweetheart who want to make a peacock out of her razorbill, is a delightful young person with a lovely, direct gaze, an engaging seriousness, and a sudden, flashing smile that is disarming and winsome. A slim and lissome child, with personality and talent."

Tinee, Mae. "Ford Sterling Almost a Perfect Bumptious, Bombastic Show Off." Chicago Tribune, July 7, 1926. 

 --- " . . . splendidly cast and acted." 

Tinee, Mae. "Great Little Picture with Fancy Trimmings on View at Chicago." Chicago Tribune, November 30, 1926. 

 --- "Louise Brooks is ideal in the role of hard-boiled, lying man-eating Janie." 

Tinee, Mae "Sousa Makes Picture Seem Mere Piffle." Chicago Tribune, May 4, 1927.

 --- "Miss Valli has often done better and looked better. Also, the same of Louise Brooks, who looses all distinctiveness with the coiffure she has adopted, and becomes just like a million other girls."

Tinee, Mae "Title Flaunts Suggestion but Means Nothing." Chicago Tribune, June 29, 1927.
--- "Two brothers go to the same college and fall for the same girl. [Louise Brooks, can you blame them ?]."

Tinee, Mae. "Wallace and Raymond Take a Little Flyer in Aviation." Chicago Tribune, December 6, 1927.
--- "Louise Brooks as twins, is - are - a beautiful foil for the stars and if you think she doesn't marry both of them before the picture ends, why, cogitate again, my darlings."

Tinee, Mae. "Meighan Comes Back with Old-Time Wallop." Chicago Tribune, December 11, 1927.
--- review of City Gone Wild

Tinee, Mae "Mr. M'Laglen This Time Is a Battling Tar." Chicago Tribune, March 1, 1928.
--- "Various damsels rage through the action, but to Louise Brooks falls, as should, the plum feminine characterization. She pulls it off in her customary deft fashion - and the enchanting bob in which she first appeared before the movie camera."

Tinee, Mae. "Movie Reveals Gay Cat's Life, Far from Gay." Chicago Tribune, October 18, 1928
--- review of Beggars of Life

Tinee, Mae. "'It,' Man Movie Is Nonsense, but It Entertains." Chicago Tribune, May 28, 1931
--- review of God's Gift to Women

Tinee, Mae. "Slot Machine Racket Bared in This Movie." Chicago Tribune, May 13, 1937. 

 --- capsule review of King of Gamblers