The Motion Picture Studio (1923)

August ii, 1923 THE MOTION PICTURE STUDIO how films are made, and being far from , deficient in the quality of impudence, have a habit of barging in. Major Bell must find it a constant preoccupation to Keep them from straying in. It was with these thoughts in my mind thht my wandering gaze fell upon a frowsy figure shufiimg lurciveiy behind the arcs and Cooper-Hewitts. Seldom have ] seen a more dishevelled object outside a casual ward. Bearded, ragged, un¬ kempt and covered with grime and dirt, he seemed a regular patron of an Em¬ bankment seat, as he slunk about picking up cigarette ends with the aid of a stick with a nail in the end. tie seemed an insolem fellow tuo ; lor he came up to me and addressed me without the for¬ mality of an introduction, having presum¬ ably ascertained my identity from some member of the company. It is no part of my duty to assume the right to order people, however frayed and fusty, out of someone else’s studio; but I looked round for Major Bell or A. J. Hitchcock. Neither were to be seen. However, as the man seemed truculent. 1 wias glad when Mr. Cutts came up. Judge of my amazement, however, when Cutts grabbed the derelict’s arm before I could explain, and told him he was wanted in the scene ! What kind of pro¬ ducer takes tramps from the streets for his pictures? The sooner artistes have a union the better, 1 thought. But svwift recognition came just in time; it was A. B I meson, who. in a marvellous make-up has some scenes in the course of his important character part in the pic¬ ture, “ The Awakening ” is certainly a good title. An Author’s Enthusiasm The author, Michael Morton, was an absorbed spectator, and I was privileged to have a few words with him as 1 watched the subsequent scenes. Among the more striking figures in an exceed¬ ingly well-chosen crowd, rich in character, 1 noticed Tom Waters as pn ultraBohemian old artist ; Harry Ashton in the guise of a corpulent Frenchman of mysterious occupation possibly a vendor of postcards); and Dorine Beresford, who in a piquant dancing dress, pirouetted by the piano for the delectation of the clients. The cheerfulness of the assembly was all the more praiseworthy in view of the inevitable waits which form so large a proportion of the ordinary small partplayer’s day; and I felt on departing that The “ Empire School of Kinematography ” Alleged Victimisation of Defendant by Marion Quigley A N allegation that an ostensible employment agency, carried on in Baker Street, was really a swindle, was made at the Marylebone Police Court last Fri¬ day week, when Eleanor Gertrude \Y ells, of 178, Alexandra Road, Hampstead, was summoned by the L.C.C. for, in June, carrying on an employment agency at 14, Baker Street, W., without a licence from the Council. Mr. Carter, prosecuting, stated that in May last the defendant applied to the L.C.C. for a licence to carry on an em¬ ployment agency, but after she had been informed that there would be objections to the licence being granted, she with¬ drew the application. ^ “ Training ” for Films The Magistrate (Mr. Cancellor) asked what she was actually doing. “ Training persons as actresses for kinematograph exhibitions,” replied Mr. Carter. On May 9, he continued, the following advertisement appeared in a daily paper under the heading “ Situa¬ tions vacant ” : ” Cinema. Wanted at once, a few smart refined ladies and gentlemen, also bright children, to train for film productions. Empire Studios of Kinematography, 14, Baker Street, W.i.” The defendant, when seen by the Coun¬ cil’s inspector, admitted carrying on the business, and stated that Mrs. Jessie Marion Quigley (against whom a sum¬ mons had been issued for aiding and abetting, but had not been served) was acting as her secretary. Now she said that Mrs. Quigley had let her in. ft was a bad case, added Mr. Carter, for two young ladies who answered the ad¬ vertisement were each charged ten guineas and were told they would eventu¬ ally be. found employment at two kinemas a day; but nothing was done for them and thev had not got their money back. The evidence would show “ that the thing was nothing more or less than a swindle.” They got people to go there ostensibly to be trained as kinematograph actresses, took their money, gave some sort of little show, and then did nothing more. Cutts. whose “ Woman to Woman,” is reported to be a really tremendous picture, seems to have a worthy successor in this second Betty Compson subject. Evidence was given that when inter¬ viewed the defendant said she knew very li i tie about the business — the kinema pro¬ duction and training school — but her lady secretary, Miss Luck (who was known to the Council as Mrs. Quigley), seemed to know all abouv it, and she left the business entirely in her hands. She also said she did not intend to find employ¬ ment, except for her own productions. Guineas for “ Tuition Miss Sybil M. Collins, a prepossessing and vivacious young woman, residing at The Turrets, Barnes Green. Horsham, said she went to the Empire Studios at 14, Baker Street on June 27, and saw a Mrs. Draper and another woman, not the defendant. She paid ten guineas for tuition as an actress for the kinema. and was to receive two guineas a day for working for the film. Mr. Carter; What tuition did you get? Miss Collins : Well, I had to sit for about an hour on three days watching other people ; then I had to strut about the room by myself for ten minutes. That was my tuition ! Was any emp’oyment found for you? — No. She understood that four parts would be found for her and she paid ^3 for a frock for one of the parts, but she never saw it and never had to use it. Mr. Carter: Did you get work? — No; I got a receipt (laughter). She subsequently tried to1 get her money back but failed, nor could she get any answer to her letter. An adjournment was ordered. FRONT COVER SHORTLY VACANT May he secured hy early application to TONY FRASER at 93, Long Acre. 9