Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1913)

CHATS WITH THE PLAYERS 115 Mr. Ince comes of a family of theatrical people, his father, Mr. John E. Ince, having been a well-known comedian. A brother is director of the Bison Company in California. Naturally, Ralph Ince turned to the stage for his life career, but his father discouraged his ambition, as do most parents who have themselves traveled the rough and disillusioning way that ends in the dressing-room. As he had shown an unusual aptitude for lines and colors, he was encouraged to devote himself seriously to art. Effectually to put a damper upon his son's youthful stage ambitions, the elder Mr. Ince secured for him a part in a "Hazel Kirk" road production, hoping that the monotony of one-night stands in dismal, little towns, with their wretched hotels and unspeakable meals, would cure the fastidious boy. "Hazel Kirk" more than fulfilled the father's fondest hopes by going to pieces after a few weeks of unremunerative travel. Ralph Ince returned from this experience uncured of his love of the world behind the curtain, and shortly after secured a part under Richard Mansfield. "I used to cstudy Mansfield from the wings — he would fly into a rage if he caught any one at it — to find out how he secured his wonderful make-up effects," Mr. Ince told me, "and I found that he used the brush just as the artist does. When I apply the make-up to work before the camera, I use that method, treating my face as I would a canvas, and studying my effects that way." From others than Mr. Ince, who is far too modest to give himself due credit, I learnt that he is looked upon as one of the Vitagraph's most promising directors. His artistic training makes him invaluable in the planning of settings, while a remarkable ability to visualize scenes saves many a weary moment that might otherwise be spent in rearranging and in rectifying mistakes. Besides his work with Mr. Mansfield, Mr. Ince was in several of the Savage productions, among them "The College Widow," and was the Messala in "Ben Hur." When he decided, five years ago, to enter the picture field, his relatives and friends raised the usual chorus of objections. "What do you want to go into that work for — dont you know you are ruining your future?" they demanded. "Well, I've been in the work five years," he laughed. "I got married on the strength of making a success, and I never was so happy in my life. I have a fine bungalow down at Brightwaters, Long Island, where we are having a delightful summer." When I asked if he had ever ventured into the field of photoplay-writing, Mr. Ince modestly acknowledged that he had written "a few." "My wife has written several very good ones. She is awfully clever, as well as young and pretty." The hour and a half that he must spend twice a day in going to and from his bungalow to the Vitagraph plant, Mr. Ince spends in looking over new manuscripts, and in studying parts. Swimming, rowing, all outdoor sports, he is enthusiastic about. "Baseball?" Decidedly, yes! He and Mrs. Ince belong to a social club which offers distractions of a social nature with congenial people. Mr. Ince spoke highly of The Motion Picture Story Magazine, and predicted a useful and prosperous future for it. He feels that he is a pioneer in a field that will prove a fruitful source of education besides fulfilling its present mission of entertainment. The Tatler. HOWARD M. MITCHELL, OF THE LUBIN COMPANY Did you ever wonder about the identity of the man who plays the heavy parts with Arthur Johnson's company? Well, his name is Howard Mitchell, and he came from the smoky city of Pittsburg, where he graduated from the University of Pittsburg. He also plays leading parts himself, often with Lottie Briscoe. When Mr. Mitchell was a very small boy, he organized a successful stock company that gave wonderful performances in the cellar of the Mitchell home. It cost two pins to get in, and Mr. Mitchell still believes that the show was worth the price of admission. From the cellar, via the aforesaid university, he graduated into stock at Wichita, Kan. — wherever that is ! He stuck to the stock companies for six or seven years, always intending to quit and study law, as his family wished, but the call of the stage was too strong. Swimming is Mr. Mitchell's favorite sport, and he has won numerous medals; conspicuous among them are the ones from the Hygeia Club and the Argo Club. "I'd like to try the whirlpool of Niagara," he confided, "but I suppose I never will — unless they should want to get a film of the stunt!" "No, I cant say that I like the country," he confessed, "except in the hunting season, of course." Mr. Mitchell had just finished a fine bit of acting in the two-reel film, "The Stolen