The Moving Picture Weekly (1920-1921)

THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY— 9 Publicity Stories for Frank Mayo in ''Colorado" NEW "HE-MAN" ROLE FITS VIRILE STAR ADMIRABLY JN the production of "Colorado," coming to the Theatre next , Frank Mayo will be seen in one of those he-man roles for the portrayal of which he is so eminently fitted by his temperament, dramatic force and physique. And yet the part of Frank Austin, alias Lieutenant Hayden, differs from those other virile roles in which he has been seen of late. Most of Mayo's big parts have shown him as a character of the north woods, as in "The Brute Breaker" and "The Red Lane." In "Colorado" he appears as a man selfexiled from polite society, trying to forget the past and start anew amid the sands and mountains of the rugged west. Although Frank Mayo has not appeared in many western roles during his screen career, his first huge stage success was scored in a western part — that of Cash Hawkins in "The Squawman." It was in the big London production of this American play that Mayo created the role which was originally played in New York by William S. Hart. However, Mayo is one film star who does not have to be fitted with a part. He is an actor by birth and instinct and can portray any role within the range of his physical limitations. No two of the roles he has portrayed on the screen since he has been starring in Universal photodramas have been alike, and of each he has made a distinct characterization. Frank Mayo is the thif'd of his name to have achieved fame in the world of the theatre. His grandfather, Frank Mayo, was the reisrning actor of his day. His father, Edwin T. Mayo, followed in hi? sire's footsteps, and is well remembered by the older theatregoers for his "Davy Crockett" and "Puddin' Head Wilson." The younger Frank Mayo has acted since childhood and is carrying on the family traditions. SMOKY CITY BIRTHPLACE OF WINSOME GLORIA HOPE DITTSBURGH has been abused for its smoke and envied for i<-« wealth so lonp' that the city's sensibilities are somewhat dulled to praise or criticism; but it never fails to show a glow of pride through the murkv atmosphere when mention is made of Gloria Hone. Miss Hope, a Universal player, is now at the Theatre in the leading feminine role of "Colorado," in which Frank Mayo is the star. Gloria Hope was born in Pittsburgh and received her early education there. After leaving grammar school her parents moved to Newark, N. J., where the pretty girl entered high school and took an active part in scholastic affairs. Upon her graduation at the age of seventeen she accompanied her parents to Los Angeles and there got her first glimpse of a motion picture studio. The possibilities of a high school girl from the east stepping at once before the camera seemed remote to her but she decided to make the screen her life's work and at last got a chance to prove that she is a capable actress. After some pi'eliminary work at other studios, she was summoned to Universal City to play a leading role opposite Harry Carey. She scored such a success in the part that she has since supported many masculine stars, including Charles Ray, Frank Mayo and Jack Pickford. Her role in "Colorado" shows her as the daughter of a poverty-stricken rancher whose life is strangely interwoven with the fate of the hero. Miss Hope has flnminsr red hair and is of a slight build, but Possessed of considerable athletic ability, which she is called UPon to display in "Colorado," filmed from the stage r)lay of the same name by Augustus Thomas. STAR HIMSELF SUGGESTED FILMING OF "COLORADO" j^RIVING his big car from New York to Los Angeles recently Frank Mayo, the Universal star, crossed the Colorado destert and saw the copper-colored sun swing out from the mountains to sparkle on the dewstudded sage. In the enchanting dawn of the Rockies he decided to film "Colorado," the famous stage play by Augustus Thomas. Shortly after his return to Universal City negotiations were made whereby the stage success was assured Frank Mayo as his next screen vehicle. The production is now the principal attraction at the Theatre and as a background for the dramatic action are the majestic mountains with the eternal snows falling from their mighty shoulders like the surplice of an acolyte at the altar of the gods. In filming "Colorado," Reaves Eason, the director, adhered to the original theme, but slightly modernized it and added dramatic punches and romance. Gloria Hope, the titian haired beauty of many big productions, plays opposite the star as his leading woman. Leonard Clapham, Charles LeMoyne, Lillian West and Charles Newton have other important characterizations. Magnificent scenery, the personal popularity of Frank Mayo and the thrilling situations in which the story abounds, is attracting hundreds of theatregoers to the Theatre where "Colorado" will remain until MOVIES OFFER ACTORS RAREST OF COMFORTS "pHAT the motion picture industry has made better citizens of actors is the interesting statement of Charles LeMoyne, the Universal player who is to be seen at the Theatre where he is supporting Frank Mayo in "Colorado." "The day of the nomad actor, the strolling player, is fast disappearing," he said recently, "the wandering minstrel sings his lay at the studio and then parks his wild harp in his own garage until the next day. "What is perhaps the best feature of the screen from the standpoint of an actor is that one can have a home and bring up a family," he continued. "Once in the old days, after a year on the road, I returned to my home to see my little two-year-old daughter for the first time since our tour started. With Mrs. LeMoyne I played with the little one until she grew sleepy. Turning suddenly to her mother she said: " 'Muvver, tell that gentleman to go home now, I want to go to bed.* "Nowadays an actor, who is fortunate enough to be on the screen, can share the joys of his family and have something to do with the education of his children. Charles LeMoyne was born in Marshall, 111., but went to the west coast to attend the University of California. For several years after his graduation he toured the country with theatrical companies until an opportunity came for him to get into screen work. He has appeared in many big pictures ard has played "heavies" in nearly all of Harey Carey's recent productions — but none in which his ability as p screen villain has such scope as in "Colorado."