We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
(pM°;
were canned" on first-night impressions. Therefore it was with a fit of real stage fever that he essayed the lead in "The Belle of New York."
Having carefully studied the role of a misguided young gentleman from the country who imbibes too freely when left to his own devices in the Bowery, Mr. Farnum went on the stage nervously wondering whether chilly silence or feverish applause would be his portion. He leaned against a table as he sang and hiccoughed, when suddenly a huge moth flew in from the wings, no pun intended.
Quickwitted Franklin Farnum had always been. He saw his cue. Lurching forward tipsily, he snatched at the dusty miller, caught it and, smiling guilelessly, went on, "Hie — hie — didja — hie — shee what I shaw — hie — hie ?"
That brought down the house, for audiences are always appreciative of presence of mind and im
promptu lines.
There followed the muchcoveted opportunity to work under Charles (AFrohman, and as 4 60
franklin Farnum's brand of smiles made him a star at Universal City. Recently Anna Q. Nilsson has been the recipient of his picture smiles
every one banks on the Frohman patronage for future success, Mr. Farnum wasn't disappointed, but rose from one good part to the other, later switching over to Henry Savage and other big producers.
His last stage appearance was in that tuneful musicalcomedy, "The Only Girl." When the season closed in New York, a call came from the local offices of Universal Film Company, inquiring Mr. Farnum's price for a film appearance. He mentioned a large sum, so corpulent, in fact, that the official laughed disdainfully and said, "Impossible ! All we want to do is to give you a try-out. Would you like to go to Los Angeles this summer ?"
"Will I play leads there?" queried Mr. Farnum, anxiously.
"Not on your wise first of all.
life. Why, you've got to get cameraWe dont plant people in the front rank who haven't had screen experience," retorted the unfeeling gentleman.
As there would be nothing but a good loaf ahead of him without salary, musical-comedy being at a standstill during the summer, and as expenses to the coast would be forthcoming in addition to a livable salary, Franklin Farnum rapidly decided that this combination of coast trip and vacation would
(Continued on page 108)
.