Picture Play Magazine (Jul - Dec 1929)

ferent Lenses • camera which photographs the stars the of him, and it suggests a bit of reflection the players themselves. Wooldridge "Inside the home the hand of Mrs. Hoover was seen in everything. The Hoovers are Quakers, you know, and do not go in for any ostentation. The rooms were simply hut exquisitely furnished, giving an air of rest, of security, of seclusion and comfort. Mr. Akerson showed us through the downstairs rooms, and I chose the dining room for the sittings. It was one of those lovely, high-ceilinged rooms, with oak-paneled walls and large windows at one side. ''Now what shall I get you?' Mr. Akerson asked. " 'Nothing,' I replied. 'I think we have everything.' "Tommy, my electrician and lighting expert , was going over the switches, plugs, and connections, preparing, if necessary, to run extra cahles from the power wires. We had brought along two broads and one spotlight. But Tommy found the electric wiring ample and there was little to do, save connect and tesl our lights. "Mr. Hoover is writing his speech of acceptance to-day,' Mr. Akerson explained, 'the speech he is to deliver to-morrow. He will come, however, the minute you are ready.' " 'We are ready now.' I replied. "In a moment the door opened and Mr. Hoover came in, walking swiftly toward us to shake hands. " 'Well, I'm at your mercy.' he said, smiling genially. "Do whatever you want with me.' "I noted instantly that he was a trifle tense, probably from his writing. He sat in the chair I had placed against the wall and smiled a bit feebly. " 'I wonder,' I said gently, 'if you will relax a bit. You have been writing a long time, haven't you? Here, take this book and read a little, while we adjust the lights.' "I puttered around with this and that, but noted presently that he was interested only in our preparations. His eyes were focused upon the lights, as if he were trying to figure out their mechanism. I snapped the shutter in the camera without his knowing it. ' 'We'll be ready pretty soon,' I assured him. 'Let me get a plate into this camera.' "I switched in the second plate, took a peep to sec if he still was in proper focus, then walked away, chatting about inconsequential things. Presently he looked down at his book and really began to read, and as quickly as Pholo l»v I.ouisv This natural, home portrait of Mrs. Hoover also brought out her distinctive personality. U.i'li 11 When President Hoover is carefully posed and lighted, the man himself emerges from the plate. I could I pressed the bulb. Another exposure without his knowledge! "I stepped to his side as if to smooth a wrinkle in the lapel of his coat. Then, of a sudden, he relaxed and smiled. There, looking through the door, was Mrs. Hoover. I caught that smile, genial, whole-hearted, perfectly natural, as quickly a^ I could reach my camera. I believe it is the only smiling portrait of Mr. Hoover in existence. Then I had him stand while T took his picture in many poses. When T finished, he said. 'Thank you very much ! Xow I'm going OUt. I will get Mrs. Hoover for you.' "lie seemed very relieved. Presently he returned, leading Mrs. Hoover by the hand and introduced US. "'I was SO happy to see how comfortable he seemed,' Mrs. Hoover said, recalling the glance she had through the door. 'He didn't act as though he was being photographed at all.' *"I believe, if anything, .Mrs. Hoover was more nervous than her husband. She is a beautiful, charming woman, whose most outstanding physical feature is a wealth of exquisitely silvered hair. She said that above all else she wanted her pictures to be natural. She sal in the chair Mr. Hoover had used, but rose quickly and asked. 'Ho you mind if I select another chair? This one isn't SO comfortable.' "She soon relaxed, and presently 1 had her standing ntinaed on page 108