The filmgoers' annual (1932)

172 The Filmgoers' Annual NORMA TALMADGE A visit to the old Vitagraph Studios on Elm Street, Brooklyn, resulted in 1 4-year old Norma's first film role. The picture was " The Four-footed Pest " and Miss Talmadge's assignment was to kiss a young man under a black cloth thrown over a camera, a horse finally lifting the cloth with his teeth. Only the back of Miss Talmadge's head was visible. The film, a one-reel feature, was completed in half a day. After one or two more bits Norma was made a member of the Vitagraph Stock Company at a salary of £5 per week. Her first part of any importance was a role in support of Florence Turner, then known as " The Vitagraph Girl," in " The Dixie Mother." Carlyle Blackwell was in the cast. In those days exterior scenes of films were taken at Coney Island, the beach serving as the Sahara or the wastelands of the Rockies, as desired. Mi ssTalmadge's initial serious role was in a film version of Dickens's " A Tale of Two Cities," which also had in its cast Florence Turner, Maurice Costello, Ralph Ince, John Bunny, James Morrison, Kenneth Casey, LeoDelaney and Julia Swayne Gordon. In 1919, Norma Talmadge formed her own producing unit. Among films produced and released under this arrangement have been " The Sign on the Door," "Smilin' Through," "The Eternal Flame," " A Voice from the Minaret," "Within the Law," "Ashes of Vengeance," " Secrets," " Kiki," and " Camille." " The Dove," a screen version of the Willard Mack stage play, was Miss Talmadge's first United Artists Picture. It was directed by Roland West with Gilbert Roland and Noah Beery in support. Miss Talmadge's second United Artists Picture was " The Woman Disputed." "New York Nights" was Miss Talmadge's first all-talking film. It was based on " Tin Pan Alley," the Broadway stage play, and Gilbert Roland and John Wray supported the star. Lewis Milestone directed. RAQUEL TORRES Selected from among two hundred of the leading feminine screen players of Hollywood, Raquel Torres began her career on the screen as leading lady in her first picture, which was "White Shadows in the South Seas" for Metro-GoldwynMayer. Miss Torres was born at Hermosillo, Mexico, November 11, 1908. When she was eleven, Miss Torres was placed in a convent for her education. There she remained until a few months before Metro began a wide search for a girl with a perfect figure and of Southern type to play the native girl in "White Shadows in the South Seas." After testing nearly every feminine player at liberty in Hollywood and finding thrrn deficient in either face or figure, studio executives were told by the Mexican consul that Miss Torres, the daughter of a friend, might fill the bill. Miss Tones was taken to the studio and given a screen test. She registered perfectly on the screen, and with less than a week's notice she was sent with Monte Blue to the South Seas where for five months they worked under Director W. S. Van Dyke making an unusual film under difficulties. When they returned to Hollywood with the picture, executives signed Miss Torres to a long term contract. She has appeared in " The Desert Rider," and " The Bridge of San Luis Rey," " The Sea Bat."' Frederic March, the star of" The Royal Family of Broadway " and one of the most brilliant newcomers in pictures. Billie Dove, whose real name is Lillian Bohny, came to pictures from the famous University Florenz Ziegfeld. HELEN TWELVETREES Helen Twelvetrees was born in Brooklyn, New York, and educated at the Brooklyn Heights Seminary. Later she enrolled at the Art Students League and was also a student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She began her stage career in stock company work with the Stuart Walker Players in New York. She played leading roles in " An American Tragedy," " Yen," " Roulette," " Broadway," " Elmer Gantry," and other Broadway productions. In addition to her stage work, Miss Twelvetrees did considerable work as an artist's model, which began during her Art Student League days and continued through her course at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, and after she began her professional career. Miss Twelvetrees was brought to Hollywood by Fox, early in 1929, to play the feminine lead in " The Ghost Talks." Later she scored hits in "True Heart" and "Blue Skies." Her petite stature — Miss Twelvetrees is 5 feet 3 inches in height, and very slender — as well as her delicate features, turquoise blue eyes and wealth of golden hair, has earned her the title of " the perfect ingenue." LUPE VELEZ See Page 77. WHEELER and WOOLSEY See Page 139. LORETTA YOUNG A chance telephone call made Loretta Young a cinema star. Miss Young wasn't in pictures then, but Polly Ann and Sally Blane, her two older sisters, were. On the fateful day, Mervyn Le Roy, then a comedy constructionist for Colleen Moore, and now a leading director, telephoned the Young house to ask for Polly Ann. Loretta answered the telephone, and discovered that her sister was needed at First National Studios in the Moore picture, " Naughty But Nice." Loretta was then known as Gretchen. " Polly Ann has gone to our home town, Salt Lake City, Mr. Le Roy," she told him. " I'm afraid she won't be back in time." " Are you the slim little girl with the big eyes I saw on the set with Sally Blane one day? " Le Roy asked. " I'm Gretchen." "Come to the studio to-morrow," Le Roy demanded. " Any little afternoon frock will do for dress." The little slim girl with the big eyes first played an extra part in " Naughty But Nice " when she attracted the attention of Colleen Moore, who recognised her talent. She was later signed on a long-term contract by First National. It was then she changed her name from Gretchen to Loretta. Her first featured role after this contract was opposite Lon Chaney in Laugh, Clown, Laugh." Her studio decided to rent her out and she appeared in " The Head Man," " The Magnificent Flirt," " The Squall," " The Careless Age," " Fast Life," " The Forward Pass," " Show of Shows," " Loose Ankles," and opposite John Barry more in " The Man from Blankley's." Born Salt Lake City, January 6, 1913; height 5 ft. 3 ins. ; fair hair; blue eyes.