Motion Picture Classic (1923, 1924, 1926)

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BACKS About Pictures and People The James Boy ^\JOT strict' the days of the memorable Jesse has a James earned on with such high pressure as Gardner. J esse s exploits made history — and many of them have been recorded on the screen. Gardner James — no relation — is forging ahead in quite a different way. Possessing a plastic expression of countenance and endowed with a full share of emotional talent, he seized his opportunity to demonstrate some high-class Pantomime in "Hell Bent fer Heaven.' The Picture could not be called anything extraordinary in plot or treatment, but among those who contributed its points of appeal was Gardner James, playing the role of a crackedbrained youth. It was a sympathetic role — and this young actor extracted every ounce of sympathy from it. As a result of his work, it was Perfectly natural that he should begin to scale the ladder. Barthelmess engaged him for an ir.\portant Part in "The Amateur Gentleman, and thru continuing his histrionic gifts Inspiration has signed him to a five-year contract. This is one instance where true merit has been appreciated. He had to work hard — did Gardner, but when his chance arrived he seized it and Put himself over. To prove that romance isn't entirely dead, the young Irishman reached Hollywood just a year ago after a most adventurous life at sea. At one time in his eventful career he was a juvenile actor, but the gods of ThesPia didn't smile kindly on him. So he sailed the seven seas — and while he sailed he absorbed life. He left the rolling decks with the necessary Poise and confidence to take him along anywhere . In our opinion he is the most Promising celluloid "find" that has stalked across the silversheet in a couple of seasons. He should be allowed to develop gradually and not thrust into stardom too quickly. T Impression of Lon Chaney by Taskey Types Have Changed 1 PES li.ivc truly changed in the m<>. Not so very long ago — well not any farther than the last mauve decade — it was the logical plan among producers to select an Adonis to play some character role. Tradition had it that the audience would never countenance a player whose face might violate the best standards of the sculptor. It might pass muster if the owner was slated for some comic relief. Then look what happened? Along came some realistic dramas calling for realistic types. And Wallace Beery, "Bull Montana, Jack Curtis, Kalla Pasha, Lon Chaney — to say nothing of a host of others — popped up to show Mr. Adonis that they "belonged. Which is by way of introducing the latest entry, Edward I. "Gunboat' Smith, the former pugilist. Famous Players have given him a contract in view of his colorful performance in ' Say It Again," the Richard Dix picture in which the "Gunboat" demonstrated his talented "dukes. Smith's income is said now to compare favorably with his prize-fight earnings. According to all reports, the contract carries the unusual clause whereby the document is void if "Gunboat ' improves his looks in any way. This extract reads : "It is mutually understood and agreed that the artist s engagement hereunder is based upon his unique and individual features and the appearance and condition upon a continuance thereof and the artist hereby agrees that he will not cause or permit any of his features to be altered by plastic surgery or otherwise. The "unique and individual features and appearance ' which the company s production officials prize so highly that they wish them kept intact are the Gunner s broken and flattened nose, beetling brows that overhang deepset eyes, a wide mouth and jaws that have been walloped out of the alignment intended by nature in some of the most memorable encounters with Jess Willard, Frank Moran, Tommy Burns and Battling Levinsky. Anita's Royalties PICTUREGOERS are all acquainted with the name of Anita Loos. For {Continued on Page 81) 55