The blue book of the screen (1923)

AL ST. JOHN Portrait fc.v Witltl Los Angeles HERE was nothing new or startling about the advent of Al St. John. He was born in one of the tamest towns in Southern California, that of Santa Ana. It was there he learned his three R's and after graduating from as many grades as that town afforded Al left to cast his lot with fame and fortune in the big city. Even in his comedy career he has retained the make-up of the country boy. He started in moving pictures right off the bat without waiting to gain any stage experience as most film stars do. It was in the old Keystone company that Al started. He played the part of a grocery boy in a tworeeler with Mabel Normand and Fatty Arbuckle. He had only a "bit," but the way he worked his trick bicycle brought many laughs and brought St. John a permanent position with that company. After that the ubiquitous Al was seen often in Keystone films. Sometimes he had the featured role, but he always brought with him laughs. Some of his first efforts were in the following films: "Mabel and Fatty Adrift," "He Did and He Didn't," "The Bright Lights," "His Wife's Mistake" and "The Moonshiners." When Arbuckle left the Keystone he took St. John with him for his supporting cast in "The Butcher Boy," "A and "His Wedding Reckless Romeo" Night." Then Warner Brothers signed St. John up to feature in a two-reel comedy titled "Speed." He followed this with two-reel comedies for Paramount. Buster Keaton demanded his services for one of his comedies, "The High Sign," and after completing that picture he was signed for two years by Fox to make starring pictures. Al St. John is five feet, six inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has blue eyes and blonde hair. 232