Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1924)

48 Picture s and Pichjre $ver SEPTEMBER 1924 Hawthorne ^AJveftLUKEK *~n& T here are some people over whom the spirit of adventure seems to hover, from the cradle onward, and David Hawthorne is one of these. Life for David has been a series of adventures in practically every country under the sun. Born at Kettering, Northampton, he spent seventeen comparatively quiet years just growing up. But at the end of that time he decided he had spent quite long enough over the process, and, as he had always been fond of acting, he naturally turned to the stage as a means of livelihood. T_Je obtained an introduction to F. R. Benson, and managed to persuade him that his company was not complete without the services of one, David Hawthorne. At any rate, he was given a 'Start, and for some time toured Great Britain playing all manner of parts in nearly all Shakespeare's plays. From there he wandered into comedies, and played on tour, parts created by the late Sir Charles Hawtrey. " Inconstant George," and " The Little Damosel " were two of the best known of these in which he appeared. In 1912 he went to U.S.A. to play with Billie Burke in " The Mind the Paint Girl." After this had finished a six months' run in New. York he toured with it for another six months, returning home to the old country early in 1913. Dut the adventurous spirit that had led him so far would not let him settle down in England for long, and within a short time he had signed a contract to go to South Africa and Australia with J. C. Williamson, playing in such plays as " Within the Law," and " The Land of Promise." That was a little less than a year before the war came, and with it the call of an adventure bigger than any that he had hitherto known. He answered the call at once, and served altogether six years, two in France and the remainder in India. While in the latter country he was for some time in charge of the signalling stations in the Shan States, quite close to the Chinese frontier. And it was partly be cause of this that his role in The Great Prince Shan, filmed a few months ago in Nice, was such an interesting one to him. After his demobilisation from the Army he was offered a leading part in Testimony with Ivy Duke, and when that was finished he went to Gaumonts and " made a series of films. The Fortunes of Christine McNab, A Soul's Azvakening, and Rob Roy were among these. Above: David as himself. Left: With Sir Simeon Stuart in " Rob Roy." He declares that he enjoyed working on the latter film, in which he played the name part. tremendously, for the greater part of it was made in the Rob Roy country round the Trossachs. His next was 5" i lent Evidence with A Scene from " The Mating of Marcus: Marjorie Hume opposite, in which he played the part of an earnest young scientist. If you remember rightly, his work in this film consisted chiefly of going into scientific seclusion at stated intervals and growing a beard, and coming out again and shaving it off. In the Autumn of last year David temporarily deserted the screen and returned to his first love the stage, going on tour with the late Sir Charles Hawtrey's last success. " Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure." But at Xmas he had changed again, and was off to Nice with Sessue Hayakawa and Ivy Duke for the filming of The Great Prince Shan. The Conspirators followed, then The Mating of Marcus with the sisters Dollie and Billie, of music-hall fame. LJe has just finished Fighting Snub Reilly, an Edgar Wallace story, made at the Stoll Studios, and is at work upon another for the same company, the title of which has not yet been divulged. As " Fighting Snub," the hero of this recently completed picture, David had a strenuous time. He had to meet Frank Goddard in the ring, and the script called for him to knock his formidable opponent over the ropes into the audience. For the benefit of those ardent fans who want to know everything about a star, from the colour of his eyes to what he eats for breakfast, know that David has fair hair and blue eyes and is about 5 ft. 11 ins. in height. And, last but not least must be broken the sad news to those of you who cherish a secret adoration for the celluloid " Rob Roy McGr-r-egor " that Hawthorne the Adventurer is married ! E. E. B.