The Moving Picture Weekly (1920-1921)

THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY r35 Beauty AiV^mner Forging AkeaJ Rapidly CEVERAL weeks ago, Gertrude Olmstead made her first screen appearance in a Hoot Gibson two reeler entitled, "Tipped Off." She justified all the faith that Universal placed in her during the months of her training. And now she appears again as leading lady to Hoot Gibson, in "The Driftin' Kid." She seems prettier than ever, and again shows that she is an excellent little actress and that bigger things can be expected of her. It is now about eight months since little Miss Olmstead won the beauty contest which the Chicago Herald-Examiner c o n ducted in connection with the Elks and was awarded a contract by Carl Laemmle, president of Universal, to appear in pictures for that company. From the obscure routine of every-day life in a small mid-western city, Gertrude was Hoot Gibson, Gertrude Olmstead and Art Ortego in a scene from "The Driftin' Kid." follows upon this is not yet sal has interesting plans for sent to Universal City, with its fascinating studios, its interesting people and its big screen personalities. She wasn't phased at all, but just set right to "work learning all she could; she rode and danced and swam; she took lessons in dramatics from some of the stars and lessons in the art of make-up from the others and she LEARNED so that now she handles herself capably indeed in "The Driftin' Kid." When a girl possesses natural talent and a will to learn, there is no reason why ishe should not forge ahead, and the future, therefore, holds big possibilities for the youthful Miss Olmstead. She is scheduled to appear in another "Western" with Hoot Gibson, entitled "Sweet Revenge." What definitely known, but Univerthis seventeen year old beauty. Your Help Is Needed Once Again! ^S exhibitors are by this time probably well aware, January 26th has been designated by every branch of the Motion Picture Industry as Motion Picture Day. Upon this day the Red Cross and six other organizations desire to make drives in all the motion picture theatres of America for funds for the European Relief Council, Herbert Hoover, Chairman. Three and one-half million children in Central and Eastern Europe will starve unless they are provided for at $10 per baby until the next harvest. The Motion Picture Industry is expected to raise $2,500,000.00 which will care for 250,000 babies until the next harvest. Or, in other words, the Motion Picture Industry has undertaken to save a quarter million babies. The industry has organized for this movement as The Motion Picture Hoover Committee located at 122 West 49th Street, New York City, telephone Bryant 8770. On the day of January 26th, speakers designated by the organization will plead this noble cause in the moving picture theatres of the country and take up voluntary contributions and it is indeed earnestly hoped that exhibitors will lend their co-operation. In addition, on the morning of January 29th, special children's matinees have been designated in the* theatres throughout the country, the proceeds of which are to go to make the necessary quota. Throughout the war the Motion Picture Industry was solidly in back of all "movements of mercy," and it is to be hoped that now, when help is needed more than ever to succor the starving children of Europe, it will not slacken its zeal. All information concerning the general plans of this worthy movement can be obtained by applying to The Motion Picture Hoover Committee, 122 West 49th Street, New York City. e r 1 a 1 St a r s Popul a r JN a popular contest now being conducted in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, by the trade paper "Palcos e Telas" among its readers, to determine who is the best actor of serials, Eddie Polo, better known in Brazil as "Rolleaux," heads the list of his American and foreign competitors by a very substantial majority. Marie Walcamp and Pearl White are running neck to neck for the feminine lead in the same contest. Universal serial stars have achieved unprecedented popularity not only in America but in all parts of the globe including the most remote regions where the motion picture has managed to penetrate. Dozens of letters come in daily to the Universal offices praising Eddie Polo, Elmo Lincoln, Eileen Sedgwick, Marie Walcamp and the other popular players who have appeared in the splendid serials for which Universal is famous. If the Universal serial stars have achieved great popularity now, they will achieve even a greater measure of fame and favor in the near future, for the company is planning all sorts of big serial novelties for them and unusual chapter plays can be looked for from Eddie Polo, Eileen Sedgwick and Elmo Lincoln.