Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

7 Trailing M.otion Picture Stars HER IDEA IS GOOD Norma Talmadge plays two parts in her latest First National release, "Smilin’ Through,” a spiritualized romance by Allen Langdon Martin, that of Moonyeen, a girl of 1860, and the role of Kathleen, Moonyeen's niece, a 20th Century girl. These two parts round out an even 200 roles, in which Miss Talmadge has appeared since her fourteenth birthday. “My first role,” recalls Miss Talmadge, “way back in the old days in Brooklyn, was a tiny bit in a picture called ‘The Household Pest.’ I can’t remember doing anything more than stand under the big black cloth of a photographer’s camera. I was supposed to pop out at the wrong time, thereby causing much embarrassment to the photographer, and I tried to put realism into this first role. During the rehearsals I remember bobbing from under the cloth at least twenty' 'wrong times,’ much to the disgust of the director. 1 don't remember his name, but I do remember that he said I would never make a success in the movies. “Since those old days I have portrayed almost every type imaginable. I have been a crook, a kitchen slavey, a misunderstood wife, a farmer’s daughter, a princess, a Chinese maiden, an Indian girl, a hot-blooded and hot-tempered Si~»nish peasant. I am constantly being asked, ‘What kind of parts 'do you like best to play?’ But as I love variety and enjoy different types, it would be easier to ask, ‘What sort of parts do you wish not to play-?’ “But I do feel that I never want to play any part that is not a truthful portray-al of a flesh-and-blood person sufficiently fine to introduce to thousands of my ‘fan’ friends. A screen star has a big responsibility. She may influence the lives of thousands of girls growing into womanhood, who model themselves after this screen favorite.” Another picture will be filmed during Mr. Christie’s European tour. This will be a comedy featuring Bobby Vernon and Vera Steadman, and will be under the direction of William Beaudine. The story is a prize fighting yarn written by W. Scott Darling. PULSE OF STUDIOS INDICATES HUSTLE According to existing schedules the studio city seems to be quite busy with 130 companies at work, employing approximately 20,000 persons. Here is how the units are distributed: Universal, 18; Fox, 15; Lasky, 11; United, 10; Balboa, 5; Roach and Century, 4, and Ince, Robertson-Cole, Mayer, Fine Arts, Vitagraph and Goldwyn, 3; the rest being single or in pairs. Including director, cast, cameramen, assistants, scenarists and writers, electricians, artificers and property men, office force, laboratory men, editors, various artists and miscellaneous workers, each company represents about 100 people. This makes the total of 13,000, and with the additional 7000 including actors, extras and others depending directly upon the film plants, brings the grand total up to 20,000. This is a rather conservative estimate, so one may readily understand that although producdition did slacken, it is today approaching normal, and more units are expected to start soon. Ralph Winsor, who used to manage the Superba Theatre, is doing a like performance for the REX THEATRE in Portland, but he assures us that his work is more pleasant there, and he is really the MANAGER. EDWIN CLAPP LOW SHOES White and Pencil Stripe Trousers for Summer Dress Accepted as the vogrie when worn with a dark coat. Correct styles ready here in flannel, serg-e and cricket cloth $7.50 to $15 Blue Serge Suits, the coats of which will be worn with light trousers — $35, $40, $45 437-443 Spring North of 5™ STRAW HA TS— $2.50, $3 TO $5 LUCILE PINSON Popular in Pictures