Motography (Jan-Jun 1915)

132 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIII, No. 4. bottom. The switches ordinarily would be fused switches but there had already been obtained an equipment suitable for a mercury-arc rectifier, as mentioned above. Consequently the fuses for these switches were mounted on separate gear blocks without wasting any of the material already at hand. A circuit is also run from the alternating-current supply through a conduit. Note: — This article originally appeared in the Electrical Review and Western Electrician. Pearl White. Pathe Star's Humble Start On a certain broiling hot day in July, 1894, a travelsoiled, perspiring and weary traveler on horseback in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, halted his stumbling nag in front of a lonely log cabin, some fifteen or twenty miles from the nearest railroad station. It was the first habitation he had seen in six miles. The cabin door opened and a tow-headed little girl dashed out to the traveler, dug into the turf with one bare foot and then looking up at him in a perfectly self-possessed manner invited him to "light for a while, stranger, an' rest yo'self." The traveler complied and informed his hosts that he was connected with a traveling company of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" players. The eyes of the tow-headed child snapped when she heard that the guest of the family was connected with a theatrical company. "Mister," she piped, "I can act," and then the astonished traveller saw the midget assume an oratorical posture and heard her repeat a scene from "Hamlet" word for word. It was crude, of course, very crude, but it made a deep impression upon the theatrical man. He turned to the child's parents and at once offered to give the budding genius a chance with his company at the fabulous salary of "5 a week and grub." The next day as the traveler ambled away behind him perched a little girl with a blonde top. Pearl White had embarked upon a theatrical career. For a year she played "Little Eva" with the wandering company. Then she heard from her parents that they had moved to the metropolis of Greenridge (population 287) and wanted her with them. So she left the stage for a while and put in six years in school. Apparently her desire for the footlights had died a natural death, but one day a circus came to the county seat and the White family took it in. She slipped away from her parents and at the end of half an hour came back with the news that she had asked for and received "a job with the show" That some night when the circus men "folded their tents like the Arabs and silently stole away," Pearl was with them to put in several years as a bareback rider. Then came an opportunity to go back on the stage where she had been ever since, playing, as she expresses it, with some of the best and some of the worst companies in existence. Several years ago she received a tempting offer from the Pathe Freres American stock company to appear in pictures. That determined her profession and with Pathe she has been ever since, with the exception of short intervals. When the "Perils of Pauline" was started Miss White was selected for the role of Pauline, and certainly no better selection could have been made. When the big new serial the "Exploits of Elaine" was first talked of it was early decided that she was entitled to the part of "Elaine" Miss White jumped at the chance. "Now I can show people that I can really act" she said. Florence Reed in "The Dancing Girl" "The Dancing Girl," the four-reel Famous Players' picture which has showed all week at the Strand theater, is one of interest. Florence Reed plays the title role and is best supported by Eugene Ormond as the Duke and William F. Russell as John Christison,. a Quaker sweetheart, whose devotion is long-lived. Lorraine Huling fits well into the role of Faith Ives,, sister to Drusilla, the "dancing girl." Fuller Mellish is rather too violent as David, the father of the twogirls. The greater part of the film is satisfying, but there are moments in which too particular attention is given to minor scenes — for instance, the scene of Drusilla's playing with her pet dog. Miss Reed has a big smile, likeable personality, beautiful clothes and self-confidence, and by these qualities is her work marked. The photography, settings and choice of scenery deserve especial mention. The famed stair-case Florence Reed in a dramatic bit from "The Dancing Girl." scene is well done and one wishes that more footage might be given to this particular scene. A brief resume of the story will be found in the synopsis section. M. C. "With telephones and automobiles," said the economist, "the farmer will soon be entirely independent of the city." "Never," replied Mrs. Corntossel. "We'll always have to be going to town — unless they discover some way of sending moving pictures by mail." — Washington Star. Kathlyn Williams of Selig's received more than 1,000 greetings during the holidays.