Paramount Pep (1923)

Paramount Pep 13 On the Set By Matty Cohen I was dashing madly across the upper stage — and Rose Meyer stopped me. In a vtiice that fairly dripped honey, Rose inquired : “What’s that on your hip, PEP?” “Sweet lady,” I told her, “ That’s nothing but two handkerchiefs and a man size note book.” “Oh !” she murmured, in a disappointed sort of voice and then lost all interest in me. Drifting into the Transportation Department — Dave Sarecky in charge — I discovered some of the boys gathered around a cage containing a large leopard. Naturally enough, there was considerable kidding. Dave’s eyes were glued on the cage as the big cat devoured a small ten pound porterhouse for lunch. Billy Eglinton, who photographed the luminaries for publication and who is also head of the still department, asked Dave what would happen if the leopard broke loose. Dave took one long look at the cat and replied, “Boy, if that animile gets out of the cage, I’m going to dive in.” Had quite an interesting argument with Bert Glennon, cameraman. Bert, by the way, photographed “Java Head,” “Ebb Tide,” and other well-known features. We were discussing the value of letters of recommendation. Said Bert : “ why only this morning a young chap dropped in to see me regarding a job as assistant cameraman. He was fortified with letters of recommendation from Will Hays, Jeanne Cohen and several other celebrities. The letters all praised the young fellow up to the skies — and I would have put him to work — only for one thing.” “What was that, Bert?” I asked. “Those letters,” he chirped, “they were all in the same handwriting.” Sonya Levien, who is known wherever there are readers of good stories, and who has just finished the script of “The Snow Bride,” Alice Brady’s next vehicle, told me this story and I think it good enough to pass on. A friend of hers had heard that Sonya was working at the Studio. “Tell me, what are you doing there?” asked the friend. “Writing,” modestly answered Sonya. Her stock evidently dropped several points with Friend, who remarked in a catty voice, “Oh ! so you’re a book-keeper ?” Cameraman Bill Miller has just returned from the West Coast where he went as official photographer of the Executives’ Convention. Bill and myself are great rivals for the honor of being the Official Ear-bender of the Studio. Bill talks faster — but I'm the better liar of the two — and there you are. This morning Bill was working fast on his favorite subject, “What a wonderful cameraman Bill Miller is” — in the mourning room of the Hypo Club. Interrupting him — I asked, “What did you do before you became a cameraman? What was your vocation?” Without batting an eyelash, Bill quickly answered, “The last two weeks in July.” Jimmie Cruze Folks, we want you to have a good look at Jim Cruze, Director of “The Covered Wagon,” advance reports of which indicate it to be the biggest picture we have ever made. It would take more than pages to tell of the hardships of Mr. Cruze and his company while on location for this production, but on second look at this picture you can see that he can stand it, he being used to living on the Western plains. Hiers to Marry Following the completion of “Mr. Billings Spends His Dime,” his first starring picture, Walter Hiers will leave Los Angeles January 7 for the East to take care of some important personal business matters. He will stop for a short time in Chicago January 10 to make a personal appearance at Jones, Linick & Schaefer’s McVicker’s theatre, and will arrive in Syracuse the following day. On the 12th Mr. Hiers will be married in Syracuse to Miss Adah McWilliams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McWilliams of that city and formerly of Los Angeles. The same day the prospective bride and groom plan to leave for New York, where they will spend three days, leaving for Savannah, Mr. Hiers’ home town, on the 16th. Following a short visit there and in Atlanta they will return to Hollywood, where Mr. Hiers will start work in a new picture about the 24th. The honeymoon trip is a wedding gift to the popular star from Mr. Lasky and the organization.