Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1936)

[ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 88 ] How the Most Famous Prima Donna in the World Was Secured for the Photoplays, as Told by the Man Who Turned the Trick, Morris (lest." Although the screen had not found its voice, many an opera singer found the screen in those early days; Mary Garden, Fritzie Scheff, even Caruso. And there was one pretty fair dancer even before Eleanor Powell. Her name was Pavlowa. Several other names appeared about that time which belong to supposedly recent Hollywood "discoveries." For example, Mary Roland, Edward Arnold, Constance Collier, Frank Morgan, Alice Brady and Billie Burke. And Marie Dressier was making comedies way back there for Siegmund Lubin. There was more interest among the fans in the technical side of picture making; and Photoplay was quick to satisfy the demand. In 1916 appeared the first article on the functions of the art director; and the first make-up article, "Tailoring One's Face." The last named was written by James Young, director, who was to marry the youthful actress, Clara Kimball, and make her famous as Clara Kimball Young. THE pictures were improving fast now. The ' invasion of stage stars, headed by Douglas Fairbanks, gave a new quality to the product. Griffith's wonder-working with the sisters Gish, with Bessie Love — "just a little love" — with Dick Barthelmess and Henry Walthall, was in full swing. Mack Sennett was raising bathing suit comedy to the standing of a fine art. Wallie Reid was coming into his own. And the great Normand was gilding the coin of comedy. The most publicized trio of modern times, Pickford, Fairbanks and Chaplin, were approaching their peak. Mary, perhaps, had already reached hers. Anyhow, she was turning out picture after picture, and fully justifying her title, "America's Sweetheart." Fairbanks — "Old Doc Cheerful," Photoplay called him — was still in the acrobatic stage. He had not yet disguised himself in silken hose and doublet. Chaplin, supported by the divine Edna Purviance, was achieving in short films like "The Floorwalker" the concentrated essence of slapstick comedy. He wasn't trying to be great then — perhaps he wasn't great — but don't say he wasn't good! The years began going faster. Came January, 1917, Billie Burke retired from the screen to await birth of her baby girl. We reviewed two versions of "Romeo and Juliet," one with Theda Bara and Harry Hilliard and the other with Beverly Bayne and Francis X. Bushman. In February, 1917, Photoplay told of Norma Talmadge's marriage to Joe Schenck, though Norma didn't want the world to know. A little later, after working with Charlie Chaplin in a picture "Tillie's Punctured Romance," Marie Dressier quit Hollywood and said "Never Again!" Chaplin, twenty eight on his last birthday, had become a millionaire. August, 1917. The U. S. A. at war, and PHOTOPLAY reported all the stars doing their "bit." Antonio Moreno was hailed as the newest screen idol. Lionel Barrymore was busy directing his famous sister, Ethel, in "The Lifted Veil," and Marion Davies, musical comedy star, made her motion picture debul in "Runaway Romany." The January, 1918, Photoplay. John Barrymore was divorced by Katherine Harris, stage star. D. W. Griffith was fresh back from filming "Hearts of the World" behind the battle lines with the Gishes and Bobby Harron. Richard Barthelmess, twenty-two then, got an article in which it was said he "showed promise." By spring, Mary Pickford had "adopted" a regiment of field artillery at Camp Kearney. Fverybody was busy helping to win the war. Mary Miles Minter was just "sweet sixteen," a newcomer. Paramount likewise introduced Lila Lee, known as "Cuddles." Jack Holt left his mail sled job in Alaska to start with Paramount. Gloria Swanson, after three years in comedy, got her first big chance in "Society for Sale." We told how the whole film industry, rather than face another coalless winter in its haunts at Fort Lee, N. J., and Long Island, N. Y., was moving to Hollywood. 1919 was uneventful; so was 1920 except that on Sunday, March 28th, Doug and Mary Rosalind Russell and her sister. Mary Jane, who has just arrived in Hollywood to visit her. Will these two be screen rivals? Mary is pretty enough married, and in October Mildred Harris sued Charles Chaplin for divorce on the grounds of cruelty. 1921 saw many changes in the smooth running of Hollywood ways. The Fatty Arbuckle case aroused such a public expression that Hollywood took steps to squelch the wide gossip that corruption was rife in the film colony. This led, at the end of the year, to the appointing of Postmaster General Will Hays as president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, to look after the interests of the entire Industry. Rex Ingram and Alice Terry were married. IN January, 1922, the first "morality clause" 'appeared in an actress' contract. Maryon Aye was the signer. Constance Talmadge and John Pialoglou separated. The next month, above a caption, "Films That Talk and Sing," Pit viopi.ay ran a picture of a group of opera stars before a strange looking contraption. Our comment: "Wonder how it will seem to hear our stars?1" The day after the news of Valentino's divorce decree leaked out to a palpitating world, that was in April, 1922, Famous Playersl.asky stock jumped two points. Lila Lee's name was linked with Chaplin's in romance, and Lillian and Dorothy (ii-.li were entertained at the White House, for luncheon, by President and Mrs. Harding. In the July, 1922, issm there were beautiful pictures of Harold Lloyd's palatial home and we commented, "Seems a shame to waste all this on a mere bachelor." Harold took the hint and got married to Mildred Davis. In the August, 1922 issue we told of Rudolph Valentino being freed of bigamy charges (remember about his Mexican marriage to Xataeha Rambova before his divorce was final?) September, 1922: Gloria Swanson had just returned from Paris with trunkfuls of amazing new clothes and Rudy's wife, Xataeha Rambova, wore pajamas outside a bedroom and a present vogue was started. Came the winter; Mary Pickford and Doug Fairbanks were acting pleased over brother Jack Pickford's marriage to Marilyn Miller. Bebe Daniels was still considered the most popular girl in Hollywood. Bill Hart was the father of a nine-pound boy. Just before Christmas we printed what was the first magazine interview with Ernst Lubitsch and called him "The Master of Tragedy." We worried about Jackie Coogan, who was growing too fast. In 1923 things speeded up. Valentino struck for higher wages. Pickford's "Tess of the Storm Country" packed 'em in. Constance Bennett, starting her film career, stated frankly she was in pictures to make money. Another newcomer was Ramon Novarro, just out with his first smash hit, "Where the Pavement Ends." "The Covered Wagon" came out at this time and Ruth Roland was busy putting her money into Hollywood real estate. Another arrival, Colleen Moore, was signed to a long-term contract by First National. r\OUG, Jr., came to Hollywood in August, '-^1923 to make his picture debut. Papa didn't like the idea at all. October, 1923, saw the arrival of MaryAstor, new-talent beauty contest winner, and Billie Dove, late of the "Follies." one of Tom Mix's leading ladies. "Little Old New York" was the Marion Davies offering. By 1924 so many "super specials" had been produced that the theaters couldn't absorb them; so studios shut down, salaries were cut and all Hollywood said it was "broke." Lovely Gloria Swanson was suffering from "kleig lights." Valentino returned to work after his year-long feud with Famous PlayersLasky. "The radio is going to put theaters out of business again," was the talk. Ben Lyon was Hollywood's new heart breaker in 1925. Josef Von Sternberg's new "art" pictures were considered knockouts by the critics. The crossword puzzle craze was on. Among the best pictures were Betty Bronson's "Peter Pan" and the Colleen Moore, Wally Beery and Ben Lyon "So Big." In April, 1925, Flinor Glyn was in Hollywood supervising the filming of her story "Man and the Maid." In the fall came the Charleston rage and "The Merry Widow" with John Gilbert and Mae Murray. John Gilbert was reported in love with Garbo in 1927. Lois Wilson bobbed her hair and said she was sick of being a sweet thing on the screen. Joan Crawford, as a small player, began to be noticed. In May, 1027. Norma Shearer told PhotOim \\ emphatically "I'm not going to marry! I don't think a woman in my position ha- a right to marry anybody. What has a girl, in my job, got to give to marriage?" Garbo and Metro had declared a truce and Garbo signed a new contract Clara Bow was riding the erest of the popularity wave. "Seventh Heaven" was one of the summer's best pictures. 90