Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

132 THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE mountain, the farm are equally dear to me. I enjoy walking and swimming, and I adore a baseball game. Automobiling is delightful, especially in the country. Once the report spread abroad that I had been killed in an auto accident and I was compelled to go to St. Louis to prove myself alive." ' ' And your spare time in town ? Or dont you have any ? ' ' "Yes. Some days I do not pose at all; other days the work continues into the wee sma' hours. I do not care for social functions, and in leisure time enjoy the opera, the regular drama, or the Photoplay. I delight in reading the old writers, especially Lytton and Thackeray, — I also like needlework. ' ' An inquiry about politics brought out the fact that Miss Lawrence is a Suffragette. She doesn't look the part, according to my ideas, but I forebore argument. She also confessed to a love for beautiful clothes, to a very sensitive disposition and to an abhorrence for anything bordering upon vulgarity, and she does look the part in these particulars. Finally, to my great pleasure, she spoke most kindly of The Motion Picture Story Magazine. "I enjoy all its contents," she told me; "it is extremely interesting and tends to elevate the Photoplay." So I left her, and as I stepped out of her presence the dreamlike illusion came back, as if, for a delightful half hour, I had talked with a dainty pictured lady, who had stepped back into her frame again. MR. JOHN E. HALLIDAY, OF THE LUBIN CO. 1 found John E. Halliday, familiarly known as "Jack," in his apartment on North Broad Street, opposite Philadelphia's fine Opera House. "I was born in Scotland on the fourteenth of September, 1881," he informed me, without hesitation. "I'm married, and glad of it." This genial frankness was encouraging. I foresaw that the rest of my questions would be kindly received, and they were. Mr. Halliday was educated at Cambridge University, England. Altho his interest in theatricals began in childhood, he did not begin his stage work until mature years. He played with various companies, appearing with such stars as Belasco, Nat Goodwin and Mary Shaw. His Photoplay work has all been with the Lubin Company, where he has played a great variety of roles. "Yes, I do miss the footlights," he confessed; "there is a fascination about playing directly to our audience, and the applause furnishes a certain inspiration. On the other hand, I am pleased with the larger numbers which the Photoplay reaches. I enjoy emotional and light comedy roles best. It is always beneficial to sit in an audience and watch the films in which I have appeared. No, I never appear personally before such audiences, and would not consider doing so." Mr. Halliday thoroly enjoys his work and, unlike many of the players, does not dislike rehearsals. Questioned about his recreations he said, laughingly, "I always enjoy seeing my friends work when I am not busy. I 'm fond of walking and swimming. All my summers are spent at my cottage on the shore. I enjoy the opera and the regular theaters, and always see the ball games when I can." "You have had some extremely difficult and hazardous tasks to perform in your work, haven't you?" I asked. "Occasionally," was the laconic answer. And that was all he would say. "How about that heroic deed of yours that the newspapers featured awhile ago ? " " Nothing to say, ' ' he returned. Burns, Wilde and Kipling are Mr. Halliday 's favorite authors. ' ' 1 think your magazine is excellent, ' ' he said in parting. ' ' It tends to the general elevation of the Photoplay, and that is what we all desire. ' '