Motion Picture Magazine (Nov 1916-Jan 1917)

OUR SCREEN STARS AXD THEIR STARS 59 Durand" — to at once realize that here is a man with poise and' unusual perception, with the sympathetic knowledge and understanding of the true Pisces-born. Indeed, one could almost instinctively guess that his natal date falls somewhere between February 18th and March 20th. His very personality, as mirrored in picturedom, bespeaks a temperament which finds its happiest expression in inner communion, the deep well-springs of life, in which silence, tenderness and sympathy are all splendidly commingled. Mr. Williams, possessed as he is with keen perceptive qualities, those which comprehend and understand in an instant, makes an ideal friend — generous, selfsacrificing and long-suffering. But if he believes you unworthy of his friendship, his affection, there is nothing you can do to alter his opinion, for the Pisces-born rely solely upon their inner knowledge, the response of the heart, backed by their understanding of human nature. He loves to do kind acts for the very joy of doing, and he rarely makes mistakes in bestowing his favors. It is quite possible that many of Mr. Williams' friends, and most especially his studio associates, believe him to be a bit too reserved, too much given to exclusiveness and a sense of aloofness. In some circles this quality would be labeled as "stuck-up." But practically all the children of Pisces are possessed of this characteristic, a sort of general reserve, a retiring kind of diffidence which they have to struggle with to overcome. Their inner nature is so fine and sensitive, so highly attuned to the beautiful, spiritual things in life, that they frequently find it difficult to come out of their shell, so to speak. This is probably more true of the Pisces woman than the man, because the latter, with his worldly experience, frequently has it knocked out of him. It would be interesting to know if any one had ever made Mr. Williams the subject of jest or ridicule, for his solar biology tells us that he is keenly resentful of anything of the kind, his sensitiveness being a sore point with him. He has probably had many an unhappy hour trying to overcome this trait, and he will brook no encroachment upon it, even from his intimate associates. Pride, probably not too much of it, but the sort which dignifies and ennobles his labor in life, is another Williams characteristic, and he is continually seeking to develop and improve himself along every line of endeavor. He is probably rarely satisfied with his achievements, but is constantly endeavoring to do bigger and better work. That, incidentally, is one of the reasons why his popularity with picture patrons is ever on the increase. Every time he sees himself upon the screen he probably reflects, "Oh, if only I could do that scene over again, how much better I would do it !" I'll wager his dressing-room at the Vitagraph studios, as well as his own apartment, are both models of neatness, for the Pisces-born cannot stand disorder or inharmonious surroundings. They are naturally careful and methodical, and they have a place for everything; just as their natures are, for the most part, tranquil, cool and poised, they seek to find similar expression in the material things in life. Like most of us mortals, they appreciate, to the fullest, the comforts and luxuries of life, and they will leave nothing undone in their efforts to attain them. Often their desire to achieve something they greatly wish, be it a house and lot, or possibly new fields of labor, will spur them on to the most wonderful efforts. The incentive is the only thing needed to inspire them with heroic resolves and endeavors. As in direct contradiction to his usual calm and tranquillity, it is a safe assumption that very frequently this filmdom hero suffers from outbursts of passionate irritability, when his usual self-control is a thing forgotten, and his temper has the upper hand for the moment. It is a time when he should be left severely alone, for if so his temper will quickly pass. This is bound to be a prominent trait when Mercury is wholly in Taurus, as it so happened upon this memorable Saturday in February, just thirty-six years ago, when Mr. Williams came into the world, in Sacramento, Cal., a world to which he was to contribute so much pleasure and diversion.