Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug-Dec 1913)

110 CHATS WITH THE PLAYERS "My favorite sporf^ Well, it's to play hookey from the graveyard clay. I have a garden I like to weed, and then, sometimes, I dote to read 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and shake with fright, or 'Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight.' I'm rather literary, I guess— I often write 'Songs of the Passionless!' "Swimming, boating, keeping hens? Oh, yes, I love them — for my friends. Now, I cant think of another thing— oh, yes! I'm fond of saving string!" "Is life worth living?" queried I. "Indeed it is," was the reply. "Life to the great is always fair, and am I not an actress rare?" 'You are," I answered, with a bow. "At least, / think so, anyhow. And now, Miss Flora, tell me this: of all the actresses you wis, who play their parts upon the screen, who is the best that you have seen?" "Ask me something that's not a cinch. Of course," she smiled, "it's Flora Finch." D. D. ^<^m€^ ORMI HAWLEY, OF THE LUBIN COMPANY "M' iss Hawley, a representative of The Motion Picture Story Magazine who wishes to interview you." With these words Mr. Siegmund Lubin left me with the woman he had termed "The Lillian Russell of the Pictures." Dressed in an indescribable garment of wildrose-pink charmeuse, with a wreath of buds in her blonde hair, she made a charming picture. I soon believed Mr. Lubin's comparison a perfect one. After the usual greetings, which to me seemed just a bit more cordial, coming from such a beautiful woman. Miss Hawley responded to my request to talk about herself. "W^ell, to begin with, I began my career in Springfield, Massachusetts, about eight years ago, with a stock company, and later filled similar engagements. Two years ago I joined Mr. Lubin's forces, and, of course, every one who knows pictures knows how much I owe to the splendid chances Mr. Lubin has given me. It is a pleasure to call oneself a Lubinite. for the governor is so very considerate of us all." At this point we were interrupted by Miss Hawley's director, who gave her instructions to practice swimming, for in the picture written around the Dayton flood, which was about to be put on, the heroine was required to jump into the water and rescue the leading man. , Miss Hawley took her instructions like a brave sea captain and assured her director that she would be ready to begin the scene at the time appointed. "As you see, we are called upon to do almost everything, and the director never expects 'no' for an answer. One of the most thrilling experiences I ever had occurred last winter in Florida. We were taking 'The Judgment of the Deep,' and while half a mile out at sea, awaiting the signal to row in towards the camera, my oars snapped and I began to drift. The frail boat I was in was the only one we had, and the nearest settlement was two miles down the beach. When my plight was realized and I began to drift out to sea, there was a dash down the beach. . . . Well, here I am, but, really, it was an agonizing situation while it lasted." Miss Hawley gave a little sigh of relief as she finished her recital. "We phot(Jl)layers dont mind a little thing like that." It is not often that beauty and bravery are combined — even iii a photoplayer. "I love my work and am fond of my fellow players. My intimate friends call me 'Bunny.' Why? Well, really, I dont know." Miss Hawley smiled good-humoredlv. "My chief amusements are fencing, swimming and motoring, in the order mentioned. Oh, and dont forget tennis-playing. You know, I have a court in my back yard, and if any one should peep in after a busy day at the studio, some of the Lubin favorites could be seen hitting the ball or chatting at the tea-table." Miss Hawley's glowing cheeks and clear blue eyes testified to the benefits derived from her sports. After a little, a serious look came into her eyes. Suddenly she said :