Motion Picture Classic (Jan-Dec 1920)

"Ferd,They are Playing Your Song!" Imagine the thrill these words gave Mr. Ferdinand Hohenhorst, of Covington, Ky., as he stood on a crowded street, watching the great Peace Parade, when Meyer's Military Band came swinging along playing his song, "Uncle Sam, the Peaceful Fighting Man." But let him tell his story in his own words : Covington, Ky., 1941 Augustine St. CHESTER MUSIC COMPANY, Chicago, III. Gentlemen : — My song entitled "Uncle Sam, the Peaceful Fighting Man," that your Mr. Friedman composed and arranged for nte, is making a great hit. In the Peace Parade at Latonia, Ky., Meyer's Military Band played my song three times. We now have had it arranged for orchestra's and quartettes, and it is making a good impression everywhere. The Vocalstyle Music Company, Cincinnati, O., a concern which manufactures music rolls for player pianos, has taken up my song, and already has sold over a thousand of these tolls in Cincinnati alone, and are placing them in their bulletin for April, which will go to all the different cities. Thanking you kindly for the services you have rendered me, I remain, Yours very truly, (Signed) FERDINAND HOHENHORST. Leo Friedm£ui, Our G>mpo8er about whom Mr. Hohenhorst speaks so enthusiastically, is one of America's most gifted composers and the author of many great song hits. Among his great successes are "Meet Me To-night in Dreamland." the sales of which reached the enormous total of more than a million copies. Others that reached into the million class were "Let Me Call You Sweetheart, and "When I Dream of Old Erin." Mr. Friedman writes music to words that causes them to fairly throb with feeling and musical charm. He has been styled "America's Favorite Composer," and properly so, for his melodies have reached the hearts of millions of the American people, and made them sing. Mr. Lm frIidMU ff^/iy Dont YOU Write the Words for a Song and Submit Your Poem to Us ? Wo make U" charce for examination of poems, and vou incur no obligation of any sort. when you send your poem in. If our Lyric Editor finds it contains a good idea for a song, he will tell you so. His criticism will ,^.. ..........._.. ........... '"^ ' j CMEBTtR MUSIC COMfANY I 920 Sftuth MIohlian Av»., Suite 108, Chloti«, III. I (Jftitlvnieii : Kiiclwvd nnd pot-ni «iitltlir(l be fair and verV valuable to ambitious song-poem writers. WHY NOT SEND YOUR POEM TO-DAY, AND LET US PASS ON IT. FREE OF ANY CHARGE OR OBLIGATION? Yon can never tell what you can do till you try. MAKE A START TODAY. CHESTER MUSIC COMPAxvY Suite lOK. 920 So. Michigan Ave., CHICAGO. III. I fur your Inspection. ■ Nirae m. AittlreM n\s HtUi-. . MOTION PICTURE CLASSIC Elliott Dexter Has Come Back (Cniiliinted from page 104) 'Squawman,' for he was a great character and held my interest from first to last. So was my role in Mary Pickford's 'Romance of the Redwoods.' The man was redeemed thru a woman's love and this situation is always a vital one. "t believe I took a keener pleasure in making 'Dont Change Your Husband,' than I have in any picture. There 'was comedy and emotional acting, with a splendid opportunity for good character work which I always gladly welcome. It is an inspiration to be under De Mille's direction. He works much as they do on the stage, making the scenes as they come in the story, whenever possible. This keeps us in the spirit of the action, and when, at last, we gather up all the currents of the plot in the final scenes, we can give a more convincing climax. "Making motion pictures reminds me of a dress rehearsal on the stage. Everything is perfect, yet there is no responsive audience to applaud or criticise, and we all miss it. This is partly met thru the fan letters, and I assure you I read every one that comes to me, appreciating the words of encouragement and deriving some of the same thrills that applause would bring." Elliott Dexter's voice is full and deep and he speaks slowly, betraying his Southern origin, for he was born in Galveston, Texas. From his earliest childhood he dreamed of a stage career and at the first opportunity he went to New York, planning to enter a dramatic school, but instead joined a stock company. "My first appearance was in .'The Great Diamond Robbery,' and, tho I was merely 'suping,' I was the happiest boy in the world," said Mr. Dexter. "I remember that on that very night, standing in the wings, I solenmly determined to work on until I became a star. "This was the beginning; there were much hard work and many disappointments before me, but it is wonderful what a tremendous force ambition is in our lives — the moment we attain even a little success, we no longer count our struggles." Mr. Dexter's stage experience included playing in "The Tyranny of Tears," with John Drew ; "The Heir of the Hurrah," with Guy Bates Post ; "Diplomacy," and with "The Lily." After reaching stardom on the stage he was wilting to experiment in pictures and played with Marguerite Clark in 'Helene of the North." Tho enjoying the work and seeing the possibilities he was not quite ready to forsake the spoken drama and went back for a season before making another picture. This time it was with Hazel Dawn in "The Masquerader." When this was completed he had fully succumbed to the lure of motion pictures, and casting his lot witli them he has steadily ad(Coiiliiuicd on page 110) '^ (One hundred and eight)