Motion Picture Magazine (Feb-Jul 1927)

The old story of the clown who cuts capers while his heart is breaking had its counterpart in a recent span in Ben Turpin's life when he daily put on his trick whiskers and funny clothes, in which he played slap-stick while his wife was dying The Play Must Go On (Continued from page 31) Charlie Mack has gone into "The Eternal Silence." Dorothy Cummings as Mary, Mother of Christ, in "The King of Kings" played her scenes at the foot of the Cross on the day of her father's death. Mr. Cummings died at seven-thirty A. M. At nine o'clock Miss Cummings was on the set. Mr. De Mille suggested postponing the scenes until a later date. But Miss Cummings refused to postpone them. The play must go on. Those who have seen the picture, say that in the crucifixion scenes, when Mary looks up in agony to the face of the dying Christ, Miss Cummings' portrayal crashes thru all precedent. "Her face is a mask of tragedy," said one of the studio officials. "She was living tragedy, and the screen reveals it." Possibly Miss Cummings' work will lift her to the heights achieved by Belle Bennett in "Stella Dallas." When the role of Stella Dallas was being cast, this unknown actress, with some thirty others, took tests for the part. Her tests were not satisfactory, but Henry King, the director, saw some promise in her work and called her for a second test. While she was putting on her make-up, the shocking news reached her that her young son had just been killed in a motorcar accident. Belle Bennett went on with her test. She has told me since that she does not know how she did it, nor how she played the role which remains unforgetable. "There are whole sequences in 'Stella Dallas' which I do not remember taking," she said. "I look at the picture on the screen and sa}' '\\ hen did I do these scenes — or those?' It is a peculiar sensation to have a photographic proof of work which one does not remember doing." So powerful was Miss Bennett's work in "Stella Dallas" that she was immediately acknowledged as one of the screen's greatest character actresses. Nothing can console her for the loss of her son, but she has another son to live and work for, and in superb selflessness she buries her sorrow in her work. {Continued on page 105) NONSPI (an antiseptic liquid) will keep your armpits dry and odorless — save your lingerie, dresses and gowns from ruinous perspiration stains — and give you a feeling of comfort which you cannot enjoy if you are a victim of excessive armpit perspiration. NONSPI, used and endorsed by physicians and nurses, does not stop perspiration. It destroys the perspiration odors and diverts this perspiration to parts of the body where there is better evaporation. tfV&TTlO^jG. \ "Wouldn't you like to be sure that you are free from JUpnt^iwi+Jiyp, / armpit odors — that your clothing was protected from Allimpri mPiifii' ) destructive perspiration stains? A few drops of NONSPI applied to the underarms on an average of twice a week will protect you and your clothing. More than a million women keep their armpits dry and odorless by using NONSPI. It is a year around toilet requisite for fastidious women. They use NONSPI spring, summer, fall and wintei. A 50 cent bottle of NONSPI lasts several months. Get it from your department or drug store. If preferred, we will mail you a bottle postpaid for 50 cents (we accept postage stamps) or will mail a testing sample free. THE NONSPI COMPANY 2643 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri Send free ~NONSPl sample to NAME.. STREET. CITY.... Artists \ Students Jl'c have a number of back issues of SHADOWLAND on hand. Fine for ideas, copy work. Many beautiful pictures in color, . for framing. We have ivrapped these in bundles of four copies each and offer them to you while they last at one dollar per set. This magazine sold for 35 cents per copy on the news-stands, and zue sell individual back issues at 50 cents each. Writ" today and enclose one dollar for the set of four copies. MOTION PICTURE PUBLICATIONS, Inc. 175 DUFFIELD STRFET BROOKLYN, N. Y. Ideal Summer Vacations BERMUTA Only 2 Days From New York A "different" vacation, with the charm of a trip to Europe. 8-Day Tours $97^ and up, including every expense for steamer, hotel and side trips. Longer Tours at proportionate rates. New rates effective June 1. Sailings Twice Weekly via Luxurious Transatlantic Liners "FORT VICTORIA" and "FORT ST. GEORGE" to this quaint little foreign land* A happy sea voyage and a real vacation with all sports. Note: Bermuda is free from hay fever. For Illustrated Booklet Write FURNESS BERMUDA LINE 34 Whitehall Street, New York or any Local Tourist Agent The St. George Hotel, in historic old St. Georges, with its beautiful location, excellent service, and large tiled swimming pool, offers the last word in modern hotel luxury. $6.50 per day and up, including room and meals. "When you write to advertisers please mention MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE. 97