The Photo-Play Journal (May 1916-Apr 1917)

PAGE 26. THE PHOTO-PLAY JOURNAL FOR JULY, 1916 .' "!:l i '.:i i M.M'IM,! M!i I ! I1:',! i .1 1 .; i1 :" i LLI ' i' , 1 1 ! ! ,hl ,i . 1 1 'J J :' : :' : i I ; : ' :./::i :M ;: ! ' : : . : :: i' i. ! i: 1 1 1 1 1 , ! I: ■' .i : :l :M .■ : : 'Mi: : : : :" ^ i .! : 1 1 -i |i ; 1 1 i :: , i' ,■ i I i; i I ! i .: L | i i , j 1 1 . :| I : Mil .: I i;:! An Interview With Madge Evans By CHAS. E. WAGNER IT was rather thoughtless of the Editor, knowing of my bashfulness for anything pertaining to the members of the opposite gender, to order me from the quietude of the editorial sanctorum to go forth and interview Miss Madge Evans. Imagine it, I, who had never before known nought but to pour over and condense long-winded press sheets, should be asked to actually call upon a certain member of the female gender. But nevertheless, after many misgivings and an equal number of sips from the bottle of courage I managed to wend my way wearily to a certain house situated on 109th street, New York City. I rung the bell and waited. What was I to say? Vainly I tried to think of my childhood sweethearts (which has been many years back) and what used to be our topic of conversation. Was it the weather, or was it clothes? But just then, in answer to my ring, the door opened. A young lady answered the door. Here was a chance to get the necessary information without going in. "I — I — beg your pardon," said I rather hesitatingly, "but I have been sent by this paper to gather a little information. How long have you appeared in the moving pictures, and do you like the work, and — .'.' The young lady interrupted me. "Oh, I presume you wish to speak to Miss Evans?" "Yes," I replied. "Just step this way, please. Miss Evans is up-stairs." My heart sank. The terrible or deal loomed up in greater proportions. "Oh, why didn't the editor pick someone who was more experienced in feminine witchery?" I bemoaned to myself as I followed my fair leader up the stairs. Arriving safely on the first floor, my escort pushed opened a door, remarking, "This is Miss Evans." Gathering together all my slowly ebbing courage, I boldly stepped in. There seated upon the floor was a beautiful bundle of femininity with two large pair of laughing blue eyes peering out from amidst a mass of golden curls. There she sat with dolls, tea sets, and many other toys to please the childish fancy thrown promiscuously about her, and looking at me with almost a tantalizing challenge to sit down and play. After a great amount of protest from my creaking joints the art of sitting upon the floor was accomplished, and a brave attempt was made to amuse the child. "Now, my little lady, I wish to ask you some questions," I said at length, after an unsuccessful attempt to place a coat on one of the dolls. "Here is a story of my life," she said dramatically, "written by Mother and I." I glanced hurriedly through the six pages of foolscap, and from it gleaned a lot of information. Miss Madge has just six summers to her credit. She was born in New York, but first became acquainted with motion pictures while visiting England. A mututal friend persuaded her to pose for a photographer. This led very shortly to an engagement with an English company to produce "Shore Acres." With flattering recommendations she came back to New York, where she appeared in some minor roles for the World Film Corporation. It was not until "Sudden Riches^' was completed did this talented little lady come into her own, and then her rapid rise to fame was startling. She has been fairly swamped with letters and telegrams congratulating her upon the wonderful work presented in "Sudden Riches." Miss Madge is well educated for a child of her advanced (?) years; she is very fond of outdoor sports, and enjoys immensely rye bread sandwiches and ginger ale. Her greatest occupation at present is to travel to the studio in the morning to Fort Lee — yes, Fort Lee is in the United States, no matter what anyone says to the contrary — and returning to civilization at night. She is now working upon a new play, called "Husband and Wife," which will be released about the middle of July. With the able assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Evans I managed to extricate myself from my precarious position upon the floor. I finally made a "close up" of Miss Evans, who "registered" sorrow, and stopping the camera I bid my fond adieu, but not until I had grafted an umbrella from the unsuspecting inmates. (I have never seen a member of the press yet who hadn't one eye opened for a free list). As I made my way to the subway a deep reverie fell upon me, and as I looked over my years of supposed single blessedness I realized then what joys and blessings were possible, and from then on my viewpoint of cannubial bliss underwent a wonderful change. i Valentine Grant Enjoys Her Work By J. ALLEN BOONE TO love life because life is the rarest privilege any of us has received ; to get the most out of life by giving serious effort to trying to understand what it is all about ; to live broadly, and at the same time, sanely ; to work hard to achieve something worth while ; to keep the mind active at all times ; to be healthy, and to always have a song in the heart, no matter what the gods may send one's way — this, epitomized, is the philosophy of Valentine Grant, the pretty little "Irish colleen" star of the Famous Players. And let it be said right here that Valentine Grant gets a great deal out of life because she carries with her a wealth of optimism, backed by an initiative and a breadth of understanding, that is almost masculine when it comes to getting results. And over, and back of it, and through it, is her own natural charm — her good looks and a vast amount of unadulterated, ever-bubbling "pep." Valentine Grant's success on the screen is due to her philosophy, plus ability. In the beginning the gods were good to her — no doubt she appreciates that fact; but since that time she has made good use of their gifts and has reaped the rewards. According to all rules and regulations, Miss Grant today should be a grand opera star instead of a screen star, and perhaps in the not far-away future she will be a dramatic star instead of a screen star — for this is the way the gods have been juggling with her career. Following her musical education in this country and abroad, Miss Grant devoted her time to concert singing and made a big success of it. During this time she bought a picturesque home in Seattle, and became