The filmgoers' annual (1932)

Intimate Lives of the Stars 157 Grant Withers was once a reporter. Since then he has covered assignments in more than sixty pictures. MADELEINE CARROLL Was born in the Midlands of IrishFrench parentage, and was originally intended for a school-teacher. Graduated at Birmingham University, where she took an interest in amateur dramatics and secured a great success in a leading role in " Salma," produced by the students. The London press critics were so enthusiastic, and her popular reception was so great, that she decided there and then to adopt a stage career. In order to save money to embark on this precarious profession she left the University immediately after graduating, and became a school teacher at Hove. During a school vacation she was offered a small part in a touring company, and since this venture, less than five years ago, she has gone steadily forward. She played small parts in a number ol stage productions, and toured with Seymour Hicks. While in London for the first time, rehearsing for a West End production, she was given an introduction to the Stoll Film Company, who immediately engaged her to play the leading role in " Guns of Loos," although she had never faced the camera before or been in a studio in her life. Resuming her stage work she played in " The Constant Nymph," produced by Basil Dean, " Mr. Pickwick," " Beau Geste," was later chosen by John Galsworthy to be the first leading lady in his new play " The Roof," and appeared in " After All " at the Criterion. She has since played in many talking films including "Atlantic" " The W Plan," " Young Woodley," " The School for Scandal " and " Kissing Cup's Race." Born, February 26, 1906. Height, 5 feet 5 ins. ; ash-blonde hair ; blue eyes. NANCY CARROLL See page 53 CHARLES CHAPLIN Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London, England, April 16, 1889. His parents were professional stage people, prominent throughout Great Britain and Continental Europe. His father, Charles Chaplin, was a protean actor and his mother was known under the stage name of Lilly Harley. She was a sweet-voiced singer and gained a reputation for her work in the light opera field. Charlie Chaplin was thrown on his own resources before he reached the age of ten years. The death of his father and illness of his mother made it necessary for the youngster to find a place for himself in the world. He had inherited natural talents from both his parents, but much of his mimicry and certain mannerisms were outstanding in his mother. During this period Charlie came under the observation of a producer who specialised in juvenile troupes and therefore, the first professional debut of young Charlie found him as a leading member of " The Eight Lancashire Lads," and with this organisation Charlie was outstanding as a clog and patter dancer. The years to follow found Chaplin much in demand. His pantomimic genius had attracted numerous producers and he was a popular favourite with theatre-goers everywhere. Charlie was a member of the cast of" Sherlock Holmes," appearing as " Billy," the page boy, in support of William Gillette at the Duke of York Theatre, London, in 1905. At the close of this engagement Charlie started a career in vaudeville which eventually carried him to the United States. This was in 1910 and he was featured with the Karno Repertoiry Company, and he appeared in nearly every large city of the United States and Canada. During this tour he won popular favour with audiences everywhere, his most successful characterisation being " The Drunken Swell " in "A Night in an English Music Hall." In 1913, Chaplin again went to the United States as the star of a vaudeville troupe, and it was at this time that certain motion picture magnates were combing the amusement world for picture material. While he was fulfilling an engagement in Philadelphia, Chaplin was offered a picture contract. After consideration of the proposition he agreed to appear before the camera at the expiration of his vaudeville tour, and his entrance in the cinema world took place in November of that year, 1913, when he joined the Keystone Film Company. At first Chaplin did not take to screen work. The methods employed in taking pictures did not appeal to him and he was close to the point of returning to the stage, However, he was given an opportunity to make pictures as he wanted and from that time on he was successful. His initial salary as a screen player called for a figure said to be £30 a week, but after he had been on the screen and the public had taken to him, immediately other producers started negotiations for his services at When Erich von Slroheim selectee Fay Wray to play in " The Wedding March," he introduced a genuine film star. the expiration of his contract and the Essanay Company made the offer that placed Chaplin under their banner. The following year he was even more in demand, and when it was disclosed that he had signed a contract with Mutual Film Corporation for the staggering sum of £152,000 in one year, the figures were branded as " press agent " money. Nevertheless, that amount of real money was received by Chaplin. Chaplin was given an individual unit at Lillian Way and Eleanor Avenue in Hollywood and his company was known as " The Lone Star Film Corporation." It was here that Chaplin made twelve two-reel pictures, and in a little more than the stipulated time he finished the following productions : " The Floorwalker," " The Fireman," "The Vagabond," "One A.M." (a production in which he was the only character for the entire two reels with the exception of the entrance of a cab driver at the opening); " The Count," "The Pawnshop," "Behind the Screens," " The Rink." " Easy Street " (heralded as his greatest production up to that time), "The Cure," "The Immigrant," and "The Adventurer." At the completion of this contract Chaplin decided to take a well-earned rest. He retained several members of his company for his future work and departed for a holiday in Honolulu. Upon his return he was again the centre of much demand and entered into an agreement with the First National Exhibitors Circuit, a new organisation, who gave him £200,000 for eight productions. During the balance of 1916 Chaplin busied himself with the construction of his present-day studios, one of the most beautiful and best appointed plants in every respect in the entire industry, and devoted solely to his own productions. Early in 1917 Chaplin began his newcontract and gave to the amusement world his greatest picture and one that