Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1920)

erstitions In the Movies Picture people don't mind admit" ting they're superstitious — so long as you call it by another name. By HENRY E. DOUGHERTY Illustrations by Qale CR-R-ASH! Boom! Boom! Like the crack of doom a prop unloosened itself and smashed into a jar of goldfish — and the big set was aquiver with excitement. Famous motion picture artists, obscure extra girls, musicians, carpenters, directors, the black cat mascot — everything and everybody about the premises seemed to flutter and buzz alternately with questions and answers and explanations. Then along came a flaxen Douglas Fairbanks has no love for a rabbit that hops along in front of his auto and crosses the high-way at his left. haired girl — a young lady whose name has never appeared in type in letters larger than the well known agate variety— and announced right out boldly that she walked beneath a ladder as she came across the lot. The mystery of the falling prop was dispelled immediately. All the old-timers called a round table conference. About all the superstitions of the movies were sifted through the sieve of various experiences. Whether a production should be started on Friday, or whether one should whistle while standing in a dressing room, or whether one should leave a house or room or set by the same door that gave entrance thereto — these, and many other mooted questions received careful attention. Having been present at this highly diverting discussion — and having seen the jar of goldfish almost completely obliterated— we received a sudden inspiration. What are the superstitions of our favorite stars? Are they a,fraid of black cats, do they run from their own shadows — or have they superstitions at all? Cecil B. deMille, creator of many artistic picture plays and chief directing genius on the Lasky lot, looked up quickly, adjusted his cigar, pushed a huge pencil over his right ear and looked at me intently when I asked him if he is superstitious. "I am not superstitious," he declared. "But—" And then he told us an interesting story. "See this silver dollar?" He exhibited a coin that he had just pulled out of his pocket. "No, that may not be the one," he added, examining piece of silver critically. "There are two. Here they are^ I carry them with me every dav — I am always careful about that. "Seventeen years ago a friend gave me a silver dollar. 'It will bring you luck,' he told me. I carried it continually, but the somehow or another it became mixed with another dollar. You see they are exactly alike — both made in the year igoo in New Orleans and both worn so that you cannot detect the difference. Naturally, I have to carry both of them now. "The two dollars were linked with a black opal. Just before I came to Southern California to do picture work here I experienced three terrific failures on Broadway. All three were plays by great authors and I was positive they would be successes, but all three failed. "When I came west to take up the new venture, I put that black opal away. I have never worn it since. I thought I would also put the dollar away, but remembering the words of my friend. I kept it. I feel that I have been fortunate ever since. "But I want you to understand that I am not superstitious." The opal and the two silver dollars may have had nothing to do with it, but success has ever crowned the efforts of Mr. deMille since he entered the motion picture game. Mary Pickford was a gracious, courteous young lady when we broached the subject to her. She was slightly curious, however. She does not exactly know whether she is superstitious, but she will not do anything that any member of her company will not do, if superstition is the reason. On this very day Miss Pickford was rehearsing with a feather duster in her hand. She was waving the relic with true Pickford enthusiasm — and somebody — I think it was Paul Powell, her director, said: "Don't wave the umbrella like that. Shake it!" So we learned it was an "umbrella" and not a feather duster. Well, we made inquiry. This is how Miss Pickford replied: "Some people think it is bad luck to use an umbrella while rehearsing. That's why I am using this feather duster instead." Now Miss Pickford absolutely refuses to leave her home by the side door if she has previously entered by the front door. She declares it is not superstition on her part, but somebody in her company might hear of the matter, and that would queer production for the day or the week. She will not allow anyone to whistle iji her dressing room. If this calamity does swoop down upon her, the person nearest the door must go outside, turn aroujid three times and then re-enter the room. Itis an absolutelaw.-•;„ To whistle in the dressing room means that the star in quests