Motion Picture Classic (Jan-Jun 1929)

Old Doc Santell {Continued from page 3^) floor of the picture business. He is another one of the young old-timers who abound in the movies. It is a strange thing that the last half-dozen years haven't developed rhat number of personalities outside the player part of the industry. Santell has oeen on the job since the days when the incient Lubin company had a dinky little studio at Coronado Beach. He broke in via the scenario route. Among his distinctions is that of being a nati\e son of California. He was born in sight of San Francisco's Golden Gate. At Hamilton Grammar and Lowell High School he prepared for the later study of a profession at Mark Hopkins Institute. The profession was that of an architect. Santell practiced it successfully in Los Angeles, until that day when the acceptance of a screen-story by Lubin changed the course of his career. Acting for Himself IX the good old days the industry was not so highly specialized. That, perhaps, IS why the old-timers stay right along in the front ranks. The training they received in all departments of picture-making cannot be duplicated today. Not only did Santell write scenarios. He designed and built sets. Directed his own stories. And acted in them. One is inclined to believe he rather fancied the acting end. For even today he plays some role in every film he directs. It is a sort of ritual. If it were omitted, there's .0 telling what dire results might ensue. After having a lot of fun at Coronado, and getting paid far more than could be gleaned for the services of a youthful architect, -antell moved over to Santa Barbara where he American P'ilm Company contributed Its bit to the gaiety of nations. But by now he had definitely decided that the directorial field looked greenest. So he soon made an opportunity for himself to tell the actors what to do in one and two-reel comedies. For Kalem, World Comedies, Joe Martin Comedies, and similar outfits. As the industry developed he grew up with it. Before he graduated into the feature-length class of productions, he had directed over three hundred comedies. In this school he learned just about all there is to know regarding the art of telling a story in celluloid. Among his feature films was a picture entitled "Lights Out." Clara Bow was its star. The redhead brought him luck. For from that time he has contributed a succession of box-office successes to the screen. With occasionally a motion picture which merits the description, "great." He is rapidly building a sky-high reputation as a star-saver. Soon they'll be calling him Old Doc Santell. And when a player shows signs of expiring from box-office pip, they'll send for the old practitioner to put on the pulmotor act. Until now he hasn't had any the best of it. N'o one can call him a lucky stiff, or say he's hung with horseshoes. Santell's breaks have been those he made for himself. He has never been given a star to direct when that star was hitting the high spots of popularity. He has always been called upon to sand the skids, and boost the player back to the crest of the wave. He's done just that. The Star-Saver FOR instance, Corinne Ciriffith would not today be the bright particular star she is if it were not for Al Santell and "Classified." That picture marked a turning point in her career. Santell made it a turn to the right. Producers, exhibitors, and Barthelmess himself were all holding their heads regarding Dick's future. Between one thing and an( Continued on page Ki ) Embarrassing to tell them — but women should know that this sanitary pad, which excels in comfort and ease of disposability, now deodorizes completely. WHEN shopping, in business, socially —wherever women meet the world — there is an important question of personal hygiene that can mar their happiness. They do offend others at times. And this new treatment which deodorizes every Kotex pad positively prevents such offense. Kotex scientists have discovered (and patented)* a safe way to banish all odor. Thatotherfear—thefeelingofbeing conspicuous—is now eliminated. Corners ofthe Kotex pad are scientifically rounded and tapered so as to leave no evidence of sanitary protection. Yet every advantage remains You can so easily adjust Kotex to your individual needs. Cellucotton absorbent wadding takes up 16 times its weight in moisture; it is 5 times more absorbent than cotton, itself. The fact that you can so easily dispose of it makes a great difference. And a new treatment renders it softer, fluffier, than you thought possible. Improved Kotex is 45c for a box of twelve, at any drug, dry goods or department store. ♦Kotfx i5 the only sanitary pad that deodorizes by a paiente'l process. 1 Patent No. 1,670,587 J SUPER-SIZE KOTEX Formerly 9oc Now 6y Some women find Super-size Kotex a special comfort. Exactly the same as the Regular size Kotex, but with added layers of Cellucotton absorbent wadding. K OTe X The New Sanitary Pad which deodorizes 79