Motion Picture Classic (Jan-Dec 1920)

By HAZEL SHELLEY name of Dorothy Devore. Slie says the Dorothy was easily accounted for, but she must liave chosen the Devore from a Snal^f'y Stories magazine. Dorotliy's mother didi l hear about lier professional success until it led to a splendid cabaret offer. Then, of course, as mothers of spoiled dauj^hters have a habit of doing, she, at first, absolutely refused to let Dorothy keep up her work and at last gave ii gracefully. So it was that Dorothy Devore, without training of any kind, found herself heading a troupe of professional chorus girls in the vaudeville act at Levy's, a very popular I^os Angeles cafe. Dorothy not only was the headliner but taught her chorus new dance steps and songs and managed them — and she was, I might add, in her very early 'teens. But when one is in their very early 'teens and ambitious, nothing seems impossible— perhaps that is why Dorothy was so successful. In a very short while an offer came to book her over the Orpheum vaudeville circuit, and it seemed that Dorothy's greatest dreams had come true. Everything was planned. She was to be billed as "The Miniature Pocket-Edition Sophie Tucker," the real Sojihie Tucker gave her permission to use her name in return for the exdusi ve-right<r Photograiihs by Evans. hy liai'l compo* And. then one day, she received a telephone call from Eddie Lyons, of Universal's Lyons and Moran comedies. "Would she consider coming out to Universal City to do a picture with them?" She had had no desire to enter pictures, but she had a little spare time, and so she went out to Universal City, fully prepared to be assigned nothing but an atmosphere part. But without even taking a test picture they assigned her the lead. And that rather settled Dorothy's career, for she was seen by Christic's casting director and cajHured with the lure of a high salary. That was two years ago, and Dorothy has now become Dorothy Devore spelt with a small v. She played opposite Bobby Vernon for some time and was then made a .star herself for Christie. She has the greatest fondness for that company, and altho she is being sought on all sides by directors who wish to ]nit 4ier into drama, she only dips into drama at ])resent when her services can be dispensed with briefly at Christie's. Because she is so very young she is still in love with her first love, farce-comedy ; for she believes that that which we learn first we learn best. (Tlurly-fiz'e) -SO vety^ — young she is still in love with her first love, farce-comedy; for she believes that that which we learn first we learn best And so it ha|)])ened-that her vau<k' — ville tour was postponed indefinitely — but Dorothy Devore admits diat it is her real ambition, and some day she hopes to travel. She can imagine nothing more wonderful than a tour in vaudeville. But at present she is very happy in pictures, because her mother is hajipy to have her in them. As for Dorothy Devore herself, this little hapjicning illustrated what she is like better than anything else. The other day she was introduced to a dear old lady of L.i'venty or thereabouts. "And what do you do, little girl ?" she was aske<l. "I act in pictures," respondc' Dorothy. "What — you are one of those motion picture actresses? Land sakes. I'd never have believed it, why, little girl, you belong in a sweet little home, married to a good man, with a cim]ile of kiddies." Dorothy says she considers this the greatest compliment slie has ever received. Incidentally, one of Dorothy's schoolgirl (CoHtinticd (in puijr 71)