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ERICH VON STROHEIM
R< )M a package wrapper at $7 a week to one of the leading motion picture directors in the world, and all in the space of ten years, is the amazing record of Erich von .Stroheim.
Born in Austria of aristocratic parents, he was educated at the Military Academy. He became a First Lieutenant and served during the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as orderly to Prince Louis de Bourbon. Then misfortune overtook his family in 1909, and Von Stroheim came to America. He had broken so completely with the old world that upon his arrival in New York he did not present the letters of introduction wrhich he had brought to influential citizens.
A significant fact in the young officer's renunciation of blood ties was that three da\ s after his arrival in New York, he enlisted in Squadron C, First Cavalry, New York National Guard. Then followed his application for naturalization and his citizenship papers are treasured as one of his proudes! possessions.
Mr. Von Stroheim goes against all directorial tradition in not wearing horn-rimmed glasses or using a megaphone.
The world of make-believe had a strong appeal to him, and between his varied and numerous jobs he wrote a vaudeville sketch. Then this new and wonderful invention — the motion-picture camera — began to beckon him to Los Angeles, and in 1914 he came to Hollywood. He wished to learn the technique of pictures, as he had also been interested in the arts during his time in Austria. In Hollywood, he worked as extra man when he could find work, but because of his nationality the engagements were few.
For two years and a half he lived a hazardous and hand-to-mouth existence, walking back and forth from Los Angeles to Hollywood when he was playing in pictures and usually going without lunch.
He was on the point of giving up, when he was engaged as assistant director for John Emerson. He had his first really big opportunity, however, in playing German and Austrian officers after this countrv had gone into the war. In Griffith's "Hearts of the World" and Holubar's "Heart of Humanity," he played important roles. During the war Yon Stroheim also served the United States Government in a very important manner by giving them detailed secret service information.
Since that time he has gone rapidly ahead, making the most of all his handicaps. And wrhile he has played innumerable times the part of a cad and roue, has even been starred in these parts, he is of a very religious nature. In fact, he attributes his success to his faith in the divine power.
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