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Charles
Farrell
Is Back — and in a
Fighting Mood!
By WHITNEY WILLIAMS
H
'OLLYWOOD won't take anyone seriously who won't take himself seriously. To succeed in Hollywood, you must put up a front. I know. I have been too good a fellow for my own professional good. 'Good-time Charlie,' they called me." That's Charles Farrell speaking — returning to the screen.
And if Charlie had learned sooner what he propounds now, probably a different story could be told. If he had come to a definite understanding with the studio — not to mention himself — doubtless he would occupy at present a top-notch position as reigning star.
"When the talkies came in, I felt so sure of my position that I paid little attention to the transition. I was Charlie Farrell. I was a star. The talkies couldn't hurt me because I already was established and my following would stand by me, regardless of whether pictures were silent or talking.
"Where others met the advent of talking pictures with increased effort, with voice lessons, with additional training, I was content to sit back and survey the situation casually. Talkies or no, I was a star, and would continue in that role. I was a bit too cock-sure to admit any chance of a change.
"I didn't foresee the necessity of unduly applying myself. I had always managed to get by. People liked me, and I liked people. I was popular around the studio and executives considered me a great fellow. My future seemed assured.
"My great mistake, I discovered, centered in my ability to be too good a fellow, too regular a chap. I see now that I
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"Good-Time Charlie" has turned serious. That was his mistake before, he says — he didn't take his career or himself seriously enough. Now he's back, and he intends to fight for good roles — as he tells you in this frank, straight -fromthe shoulder interview!
was much too easygoing. "I would play parts that others refused to do. Where other players forged ahead in better pictures and registered complaints aplenty, I would accept what was given me with little comment. The studio gradually took it for granted that I would not object to any part
handed me. Accordingly, roles that no other actor would
portray were relegated to me.
Didn't Want to Argue
I DIDN'T like to battle for the reason that it's not in my nature to fight about my work. I am not sure but what I considered myself bigger than any role. Consequently, I lost out by my reluctance to engage in arguments."
It takes good sportsmanship to admit things like this — better sportsmanship than most of us possess. I hope Charlie Farrell will rise in your estimation as he did in mine because of his frank admission of the mistakes he has made. He blames no one but himself.
" Had I asserted myself more in the manner of a star, blended a firm stand with my friendliness, the studio wouldn't have thought of giving me what amounted virtually to the 'cast-offs,' " Farrell says. "I've seen players far less prominent win their points merely because they didn't permit sentiment to enter into their dealings with the studio."
Many have wondered why Farrell, the male half of one of the greatest co-starring combines in cinema history, should have sacrificed, in dissolving his association with the Fox {Continued o-n page go)