Close Up (Oct 1920 - Sep 1923)

13 Hand-Outs Along the Rialto GOING DOWN I ain’t overfed with deep learning. But, somehow or other, this hunch Informs me, there ain't no returning. When anyone quits the earth bunch. I knows there’s a Heaven — where ginks go, A sky pilot told me today, For them who are square here below, So. I guess I am on the wrong way. For people I know are all shouting. And blowing their horns to the skies, They’re honest and square, I’m not doubting. If so. Heaven is filled with some lies. For Rent Raisers, and Profiteers many, Are people who spring this old stuff. They’ve got me so rattled — my Nanny Says. “Hell, for me, is good enough.” M. L. THEY HOLD REUNION Little Eva isn’t dead after all. in spite of the many times she passed out of this life in Beeson Brothers road show a few years ago. She was then Ruth King, now wife of William Christensen, assistant casting director at Goldwyn’s. Her 10 months old daughter Gloria is taking part under Finis Fox’s direction in Congressman Howard’s story, “The Bishop of the Ozarks.” now being filmed by the Cosmopolitan Film Co', at the Fine Arts Studio. George Reed, who played the part of Uncle Tom with Mrs. Christensen, met her for the first time in several years when he was asked to hold the baby in his charge before Sol Polito’s camera. Reed is playing the part of Simon, the faithful old slave, in one of the most characteristic negro parts on the screen, as Mr. Howard’s 35 years legal practice in Alabama taught him the nature of the black man. A1 Jolscn is in town and as clever as ever. He knows a lot of jokes about the Ambassador. So do we; a bunch of them sure hang out there. Mr. Anthony says that he is sorry for the fellow who started after the Volstead Act. So are we! IN FULL CHARGE One of our greatest pleasures is to announce (although the news is somewhat old) that Harold Strickling is in complete charge of the exploitation and publicty offices of the Metro Studios. Many press agents throughout the country may take heart that eventually recognized merit is at the right time appreciated and rewarded. Howard has always been courteous, most obliging and eager to place before the public and Editors facts pertinent and cogent regarding the moving picture stars he has been privileged to exploit. He recently returned from a five months’ tour of the United States, acting as manager for Viola Dana’s personal appearances in the largest theatres in the country, and we feel sure that his urbane personality helped to endear the little lady, who is now being directed by Harry Beaumont. CLOSE-UP extends its congratulations to Howard Strickling in holding this responsible position, and to Metro Corporation in having secured his services. HE HAS HAD EXPERIENCE David Torrence, who is plajbng the part of Elias Graves, the mean man, in Mary Pickford’s revival of “Tess of the Storm Country,” now well into production, came to the New World from Scotland about twenty years ago and made his start as a cow-puncher in Mexico. When he found he could not do so well around cattle, he became an actor and rose to great heights, especially in support of Maude Adams in “Peter Pan” and Jane Cowl in “Smilin' Through.” Recently he has settled in Hollywood to devote himself to motion pictures, and being so near Mexico got him to hankering after steers again. Consequently he is planning on negotiating for the purchase of a herd of thoroughbreds to which he will give some attention as a side line just to ascertain whether or not it was his fault that he failed in his initial attempt. We should concentrate on higher things, said some wise man. Yeh, the flappers, skirts for instance, says Lige Conley. LUC1LE PINSON Popular in Pictures ’Tis a hard-hearted mother who spanks her son for smoking her own cigarets. This one was written by Rupert Julian. * * * * JACKIE COOGAN A GREAT TRAGEDIAN According to James W. Dean, editorial writer of a large eastern newspaper syndicate, Jackie Coogan is not a comedian but a great tragedian. “A widely circulated rumor,” says Dean, “is that Jackie Coogan is a great comedian. Some have said he is second only to the great Chaplin, who first gave him prominence in 'The Kid.’ “After sitting through Jackie’s ‘Trouble’ picture, I am convinced that he is a great tragedian and not a comedian. Perchance Chaplin is considered a comedian rather than a tragedian because he seeks to fashion his antics after a pattern that appeals to the heart of a child. “But Jackie Coogan is a child, a serious minded little one. who probes the dim past of grown-ups and presents the retrospect of childhood’s seriousness. Therein lies the tragic quality of his acting. “A little boy trying to be funny is not comedy, but there is an affable poignancy in the sight of a tattered little scalawag trying to shoulder the troubles of the universe. It is thus you find Jackie Coogan in ‘Trouble.’”