Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1912-Jan 1913)

D OWEN MOORE, OF THE VICTOR COMPANY lont say anything nice about me — just say I am an ordinary person," as a parting injunction doesn't give one very much latitude, does it? Particularly when nice things are the only truthful things one can think of saying. Fortunately for you, readers, I am writing this at home, away from the influence of Mr. Owen Moore's laughing, Irish, blue eyes — pardon the bromide, but they really are all of that — and his attractive smile, which displays such even, white teeth that you are glad Mr. Moore smiles so readily, both of which — eyes and smile — might have made me false to my trust in my desire to please modest Mr. Moore. Doubtless, if I'd been compelled to do this "Chat" at the Victor studio, under Mr. Moore's directions, I would have had little to tell you, except that he is about five feet ten inches tall, is about 25 years old (I hope that he doesn't read this), was born in Ireland, came to this country when he was 11 years old, just drifted onto the stage, played "stock," and in Broadway productions — oh, a very ordinary, uninteresting career. But I'm far from the Victor studio and Mr. Moore's censorship, and, altho I am only realizing now how little Mr. Moore told me, being so dazzled by the above-mentioned smile that I didn't notice my questions were not being answered, I am free to give you a glimpse of an interesting, albeit far too modest young picture star. And if anything I say is complimentary to Mr. Moore, be assured I didn't get it from him. Mr. Moore is at present playing leads with Miss Florence Lawrence, formerly a Lubin star. Because he is young and good-looking, Mr. Moore is usually cast for juvenile parts, while he yearns to do character work. His Charley Steele in "The Right of Way" has been called one of the finest characterizations ever photographed. Before joining the Victor forces, Mr. Moore was with the Biograph, the Imp and Majestic, directing, as well as acting, in the latter studio. "Have you ever appeared in person before a Photoplay audience?" "Oh, no. Members of our company were offered a hundred dollars apiece one night in Chicago to appear before a lot of enthusiastic fans, but none of us wanted to — we ran. They're great picture fans out West," he added, reminiscently, "particularly in 'Frisco. Why, every one knows you and calls you by your first name out there. I've met some delightful people that way." Like all other successful Photoplay actors, Mr. Moore is an all-round athlete, enjoying to the full the opportunities offered by the work for outdoor sports. When I asked if he had ever had any exciting experiences in his work before the camera, he replied, "Oh, ever so many. One of the most exciting I think of now, was a scene in which the young lady playing lead with me had to go out a distance from shore, overturn a canoe, and be rescued. She was substituted for Miss Lawrence, because she said she could swim. I was to rescue her. The girl went out, fell from the canoe, and rose, shrieking "Help!" I was to wait a few seconds to give her time to get her effects. She went down a second time, and came up with another cry for help. "She's doing fiue," the director remarked to me, but I was already in the water, swimming like mad, for I had seen the girl's face, and I knew she was calling for help in earnest. I got to her just as she was going down the last time, and she was certainly a plucky girl, for, altho she was scared to death, she followed my directions implicitly, and didn't hamper me in the least 'Keep your face away from the camera, or we'll have to do this scene over,' I told her, for she looked like a ghost." Mr. Moore is fond of music, tho he says he neither sings nor plays, and, like all normal men, is a baseball fan. He has written a number of Photoplays, also. When I asked if he read our magazine, he replied, "Indeed I do — from cover to cover. Even the questions and answers — everything. It is great." Mr. Moore is at present living "over on the Jersey side," but he is glad that some one invented poor, old Jersey — even contemplates building a bungalow there. I do hope, for Mr. Moore's sake, that I have left you with the impression be wished you to have — that he is a very ordinary person. His evident ability, wholesome good looks, refinement and charm may have led me, unintentionally, to say some "nice things" about him, but you may just leave them out in your mental estimate, and take his own word — that he is a very ordinary person. L. Case Russell. 127