Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1924)

16 Picture s and Pic hjre $ver APRIL 1924 There was a beginning: to all this. It was when I was sitting, watching The Light In The Dark. About half way through, my companion murmured in my car, " Who is Hope Hampton, anyway?" I flatter myself I know most things about films and the folks who make them, but this time I was done. I had to confess that 1 knew nothing more than that she was obviously the star of The Light In The Dark. Exactly why, I didn't know. It was obviously Chaney's picture from first to last. I supposed her looks had something to do with it. It was a lame sort of answer and I felt my companion's reproachful look. Mercifully it was too dark to see it. For the rest of the time I myself murmuring at intervals. is Hope Hampton, anyway?" thing really got on my nerves long before the picture was finished. I went about for days afterwards asking everybody I met, "Who is Hope Hampton?" Except for the few humourists who promptly replied " Hope Hampton," I got no further. Somebody certainly thought he'd heard of her making a personal appearance somewhere in connection with some film, but he wasn't at all sure about it. And all this time my reputation was sinking lower and lower. At last, in despair, I cabled to Pictnregoer. I said : " Who is Hope Hampton, anyway " is Pleasing Hope frankness of her Irish race. She is the friendliest little star who ever glittered. " It's real good of you to come," she said, " I want you to meet my husband, Mr. Brulatour, who is also my manager and discoverer." She called him in and presented him. " I don't suppose the public knows we're married," she added shyly. " You'll be able to give them a real surprise. Jules and I have been keeping it secret for several months, but the clerk at the registry office has just given the story away to the newspapers, so of course it's no use our denying it anyr longer. He saw me in a movie, you see, and recognised me. Jules does everything for me — I owe my whole career to him — and I've never been so happy in my life." " No, no," Mr. Brulatour interrupted, "it is Hope's own genius that has brought her to the front rank of modern stars." "Well," I said, "That's just what I want to hear about. And I want to hear about it from the beginning." " I don't mind talking about the past," said Hope, " but I never discuss the future with anyone. I don't like people to predict the big things I am going to do and the big money I am Addison might have written these descriptive words about Hope Hampton had she lived in his day. But again he might not have, since Hope's baptismal name is Mary Elizabeth. Still, the adjective is all right, so why worry? She loves animals of all kinds especially dogs. found 'Who The I got a very prompt reply. The Editor cabled back by return. He said " She'll tell you. Two pages, please." And that was the beginning of it. Can you beat it? Jt is one thing to approach a star as a private and intensely curious individual. It is quite another to go to that same star armed with the credentials of a paper like Pictnregoer. I can assure you I wasn't long in finding myself on Park Avenue, outside her unpretentious home. Nor was I much longer in finding myself in the interior whose exquisite taste strikes a note of alluring charm that is quite unindicated by the exterior. Hope Hampton came running into the room with both hands outstretched. All her movements are impetuous, and every word she speaks echoes the Hope in a graceful dance frock.