Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1927 - Feb 1928)

34 Virginia Got the Job She was listed as sweet and girlish, but Virginia Valli suddenly flashed her s, a. and showed the startled movie world that she too could radiate "it." By Malcolm H. Oettinger FOR a conservative number of years, Virginia Valli played the part of the engineer's daughter or the fireman's niece or the professor's ward; always she was pure and sweet and crinoline. Although she was rewarded at the end of each picture with a church wedding, or at least a peach-blossoming love scene, she was not satisfied. Being good had its drawbacks — every one of her heroines was the same. Then people began talking about sex appeal, and the Glyn loud speaker began broadcasting about "It." And Virginia pricked up her ears, winked a saucy eye, bought a beauty spot, and displayed the Valli s. a. It is not too soon to add that she got the job. She was awarded the role of Gahy Deslys, Parisian madcap, toast of kings, Fox feature extraordinary. Virginia is Irish, quietly beautiful, gently poised. When she was seeking a screen name, she called herself Virginia because that had always been one of her favorite States, and her last name she selected, whimsically enough, from a billboard on Michigan Boulevard announcing Valli Valli in "The Purple Road," a comic opera. Thus was born Virginia yalli. Her Chicago home was not too far from the Essanay studio, and there she received her first experience before the camera. Then,, when • Universal offered her a two-year contract, she seized it gladly. She had no idea what a care it was going to be. There were railroad pictures and W esterns, romances and melodramas. In all of them A^irginia was beset and persecuted — an innocent among wolves. Just one thing distinguished all of them — they were all commonplace. "And the sad part of it is," she pointed out wistfully, "you spend just as much time and just as much effort on a mediocre picture as you do on a good one." Once the Laemmle forces loaned Miss Valli to Goldwyn for "Wild Oranges," which, under the direction of King Vidor, proved to be one of the finest picture plays ever wrapped in tins. In it Virginia showed what she could do. There was depth to her characterization, understanding, and a fine subtlety. Under Vidor's artistic guidance, she achieved new heights. Once through with the Universal contract, which at last worked its way to a laborious conclusion, Virginia decided to free-lance. There was a Fox picture, and another. Then a Fox contract. Now she is a Fox feature, so to speak. She has promised to do four super-superbas annually. Thus far, two have been given to the waiting world — "Mar nas:e, from the H. G. Wells novel, and the picture based upon the life of Gaby Deslys. This is flickering nationally under the title of "Paid to Love." Whoever thought of that received a raise, I have no doubt. "In spite of the title, I think it's good," said Virginia, when I saw her in New York. "And really, the title is jtistified. Gaby, you know, was quite a gay girl. The role offered me escape from a long line of ingenuous heroines. "I had been doing them so long that I felt colorless and matter-of-fact. I was by way of becoming stereotyped. All my pictures were so similar — girl, boy, heart interest, obstacle, success! The same old thing over and over began to wear on me. So I swore I'd escape. "Then I heard of the film about Gaby that Fox was planning to do. I heard that Howard Hawks was to direct it, and that he was entirely undecided as to a lead. I said to myself, 'There would be a slick chance to snap out of it! The smart Parisian atmosphere, the naughty Gaby, the allure of the theme, the dramatic possibilities.' So I set out to get the part."' There was a large paity being given at the Ambassador. Virginia knew that Hawks would be there. And so. believe it or not, she arrayed herself as she thought the dazzling Gaby should look, swept into the ballroom in an imported creation that was the last gasp, and played up the idea so. successfully that, before the evening was half over, the amazed Hawks had made an appointment with her to have tests made for the role of Gaby. "1 had the tests two days later and, happily enough, got the part," said Virginia. "Poor Mr. Hawks had a hard time persuading the Fox people to let me do it. I was listed as sweet and girlish. But he finally convinced every one in the office, and we went ahead . and made the picture. It was great fun. And I hope that I'll get by in it. Such a new thing for me, you know." She interrupted herself. "But don't misunderstand me, please. I'm not ambitious to do tragedy, or things beyond me. But I do want to get a sufficient variety ot roles to keep a fresh viewpoint. Oh. I know actresses aren't supposed to have viewpoints, but they do. And they do get fed up when they're called upon to do just one thing over and over.'' Virginia Valli is proof that Hollywood is not just a hotbed of types. For she is neither stiff-necked nor simpering. She is quite herself. She does not gush on the Continued on page 112 Photo by W. F. Seely The trick by which the gentle Virginia won the dazzlin° role o/Gabv Deslys in "Paid to Love" is still being talked about in Holhnvood.