Paramount and Artcraft Press Books (1918)

ETHEL CLAYTON Paramount Star Discusses HER LATEST PHOTOPLAY ^^MAGGIE PEPPER** Dainty Actress in Hearty Sympathy with Department Store Operatives and How the Play **Maggie Pepper** Aided Powerfully in Improving Their Conditions. Beautiful Ethel ciayton, Paramount star, who is starling in a screen version of the late Charles Klein’s famous play of department store life, “Maggie Pepper,” written by Gardner Hunting and directed by Chester Withey, recently discussed the life of department store women with a reporter. Said Miss Clayton : “My sympathy is invariably with the woman who is compelled to work for a living — particularly in one of the great department stores of a big city. To be subjected day after day to the whims of thoughtless patrons, or the petty autocratic methods of superiors in the business must be a dreadful thing for even a phlegmatic person. To one of nervous temperament it must be trebly unpleasant. “I thank goodness, however, that in these latter days, there is a great deal more humanity being practiced in commercial life, that there is more harmony between employer and employee. Do you know, I have an idea that the films are largely responsible for that? “You see, the possibilities of a girl in motion pictures have been such that hundreds of young women have been able to throw off the shackles and become more independent. The only trouble is that the supply exceeds the demand. No girl should make a wild jump at the picture business. But for one with beauty, talent and other requisites, there is unquestionably a chance to succeed. “Yes, I think everyone will enjoy ‘Maggie Pepper, — it is certainly a human story with so much sympathy and a kindly spirit, yet it has a thrill in every scene, almost — and the cumulative interest culminates in a fine climax. I liked the role and the company was excellent, so that the picture ought to be a success.” “Maggie Pepper” tells the story of a plucky girl in a big store that has fallen behind the times. The manager hates Maggie and this hatred is intensified when Jim Holbrook, the owner, comes from abroad and takes a fancy to the girl. Holbrook’s fiancee is the manager’s ward, which is an added source of trouble. She repudiates the owner when he is attracted to Maggie. Then Maggie leaves and goes home, whither Holbrook follows to get her to return. Maggie has other troubles. Her dead brother’s child, Claire, has been surrendered perforce to the mother, who marries a crook. The mother is arrested for shoplifting and Claire is taken back by Maggie. Released from custody, the woman seeks Maggie and tells her that her husband is going to kidnap Claire. Holbrook is at the house. A fight ensues when the stepfather comes to steal the child. Holbrook is slightly wounded but pretends it is serious and stays in bed in Maggie’s home. Next day he demands that she marry him. And she finally consents, because she has learned to love the impetuous and handsome owner of the store where she has seen so much sorrow and hard work. The acting of Ethel Clayton as Maggie is superb. She is perfect as the ill-used and hard working girl, yet charming in every mood. Elliott Dexter is splendidly cast as Holbrook. Raymond Hatton is. a typical Hebrew drummer; Tully Marshall is excellent as the crook husband. In fact, every member, of the cast is above the average in his of her rendition of the allotted part. The picture, in short, is one to please and to thrill and best of all, it is a purely American, simple, human and wholesome story of plain people under circumstances that are natural and yet when corelated present a tense and compelling drama. The production is of the best. 3