Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

60 Janet — Before and After chauffeurs, and secretaries, Janet has scarcely altered her former mode of living since her position became more secure. She lives with her mother and sister in a quiet, modest dwelling. Janet has been a full-fledged star for more than a year. In that time she has, on many occasions, faced all the tantalizing circumstances stardom brings to test true values. "When you are an extra it is very easy to read people," Janet remarked when we talked on this stardom topic. "When you are a mere nobody about the studios, few people bother to speak to you, or to try to make themselves agreeable. While doing extra work and bits, I know that those who did speak to me were not doing so to raise their own standing in the eyes of others. I wasn't even a raving beauty, so I knew my looks didn't attract people. Those who were pleasant to me I knew Were genuine. "But a star cannot always tell whether strangers are sincere or insincere. Most people seem to believe that a star should be told something flattering — even though they say the reverse about her to others. "Of course, you can usually discern insincere persons. They are so very gushing that they give themselves away. Stardom makes you realize that." Stardom, however, has not harmed Janet to the extent of distorting her keen insight. Many try so hard to "live up" to their new position that only gross flattery seems to impress them. Becoming a star, you are surprised at the number of "friends" who are so very anxious to "take you up." In Hollywood there are certain circles of people who will take advantage of a new star. They do not care a straw for the actress personally, but the star's new prestige adds a dash to teas and dinners. It is nice for the self-advertising hostess to read in the paper that So-and-so was at her home, gloat to her less-favored sisters. Janet is no recluse. She goes to parties and gatherings, but to very few. Newcomers usually like to be taken out by young leading men or directors — I mean the girls. I can't think of one instance where Janet has ever followed that course. Charles Farrell escorted Janet and her mother to the premiere of "Seventh Heaven" and "Street Angel " because the Fox publicity department arranged it so, but that was all. Janet goes to places mostly with Photo by Browning Janet is seen with her mother more often than with any one else. It makes her her mother, to whom she is very devoted. The majority of her friends and intimates are non-professionals — but then Janet herself never strikes you as being a movie person. "I know players, and also people in other circles of life," Janet said. "I think it is bad for a player to mix only with picture people. She gets into one element, and soon drops into a rut of single thought — pictures and herself." I raised my eyebrows. Janet can express her opinions much better now than when she was seeking extra work ; she is more self-confident. Without noticing or bothering whether I regarded her as more self-possessed, ignoring my raised eyebrows, she added, "I like my home and the people my mother knows — friends who speak of and know other things than just movies — though movies are part of my existence. Yet I have seen how easy it is for a new star to become completely absorbed in pictures, and live an artificial life. I do not blame any one, for I could have gone that way had I wished." There are recollections in my mind of various young stars and players who have become "movie" — a thing detested by all worth while picture people. It is easy to see why Janet has never fallen into "movieisms," for she never has had any pose. Her manners at the studio, while working, are little changed from the time when she was a subordinate player. Many new stars breeze out into a very democratic, hail-fellow attitude toward electricians, prop boys, and others, while working on the set. Janet never did that ; nor does she attempt to do so to-day. Yet not one man working on a Gaynor production would hear a word spoken against her. "I do not think it is in the least necessary for a star to go to such extremes while working," La Gaynor continued. Without turning her small head, she looked at me through the corners of her disturbing brown eyes. "Being natural yourself makes your work easier, and you more likable to those who work with you. "Again, it has often been said that a star should keep up appearances, that she should live up to her position. Maybe that was true years ago, but it is no longer necessary. Of course, some people must have beautiful clothes and luxury. It is part of their nature. Many are unjustly accused of posing. I don't agree with that, for we are not all alike. A star's screen personality has a lot to do with her mode of dressing [Continued on page 117]