Picturegoer (1922)

18 The pictur&goe-r JUNE 1922 KIPPS -W Ike Other lersoix Being something about a new enterprise, and an old friend. dvery little way behind me I had left the dust and the mess, the medley and the noise of dear old London. But in the Enchanted Garden I may have easily deluded myself that the Metropolis, like the Sphinx, was " far, far away." And in the Enchanted Garden I found The Other Person. I had come to find The Other Person, but in less than five minutes I was saying " Yes, Kipps " and " No, Kipps," and — well, 1 can't help thinking that, when some reminiscent grandpa, in the years that are to be, compiles a Book of Film Memories, one George K. Arthur will be written down as " Kipps." It was an amazing and awe-inspiring achievement to walk from the thorny road of Obscurity into the sunny path of Fame via one characterisation, but George K. Arthur did it when he interpreted II. G. Wells' " Kipps " ; and the manner in which he did it is a no less amazing thing. " I just wanted to be ' Kipps,' you know," he told me, with a candour which is not the least part of his charm. " But when I was sent to see H. G. Wells ' on appro.,' I really hadn't the faintest hope of being successful. And an accident moulded my fate ! When I walked into the Great Presence, the very first thing I did was to knock over a very beautiful and valuable vase', and my bewildered embarrassment and .contrite (though mute) apologies worked the miracle ! I couldn't have said anything if the penalty had meant my entry into the Gates of Eternity. I was much too alarmed and frightened. But I suppose I ' looked ' all I was trying to say, and, you will remember, ' Kipps ' was stupid and awkward like that. So, in the Great Presence, it was straightway decided that 1 should be given the opportunity of creating the film ' Kipps.' " Some of us weak mortals, alas ! misuse or abuse that greatest human impetus Opportunity; but George K. Arthur just grasped it, when it came his way, with both hands, and as extra ammunition in the fight Ior achievement he commandeered the rest of his being, too. No wonder he has not stopped to rest on the laurels earned for him by " Kipps " ! / Followed three more leading rules in Dear Fool, The Lamp in the Desert, and Wheels of Chance (all Stoll productions), and then .veil, George K. Arthur still saw the shining light which is Opportunity t looming over his horizon -and straightway commenced work on his very own production. Rounded Corners (that is the attractive title of his " very own " film) bids fair to prove as successful a vehicle for his own particular species of talent as any lie has previously had. I'm a really naughty boy, you know," he informed inc. " One of the pull-any-old body's-leg-and-get-a-bit-of-fun ' type but I reform before it's ' too late ' ! " "^ Really, if reformation should mean the decease of that delicious twinkle in vour lefl eye, dear Kipps, do, I beg of von, " carry on with the naughty work." Whilst Kipps was escorting me around the Enchanted Garden, we came upon a vision fair and sweet outlined against a dear old-world sun-dial, and I was introduced to the clever little lady whose mission in lite, at the moment, was the working of the " naughty boys' " reformation. Flora Lc Breton, the dainty, tun little film star who has, like her Ian ous colleague, tound a swift and sure looting on the ladder of Film Fame, said she was proud anil happy to be helping Kipps in the first " Glorious Adventure.'' And Kipps, modestly land characteristically) put an end to the little lady's expressions of contentment by declaring that he was " a lucky man to have secured Miss Le Breton's services, for the part was simply asking to be interpreted by her ! " If there is any other " secret " of success save hard work and grit, I believe George K. Arthur has found it in that inspiring and confidence-creating belief in other people's greatness. He would pass none of them by. Here " (presenting Mr. Edward R. Gordon) " is my producer. He has directed numerous successful pictures — amongst them The Haigh Serial and Repentance ; and again, I am a fortunate man to have captured him.'' And in the Enchanted Garden I met, too, Miss Boris Lloyd (the charming stage actress who is now appearing in " The Yellow Jacket " at the Kingsway Theatre), Sir Simeon Stuart (whose name will be familiar to all picturegoers), and Bertie Wright — all very important units in this little army of enthusiasts who are going to help create " George K. Arthur Film Productions." George K. Arthur has benefited much by the sound advice which the great Charles Chaplin passed on to him whilst he was on his recent visit to our shores. " I was very fortunate in meeting Chaplin on several occasions, and his very presence inspired an added i zeal and ambition L in my breast," said k Kipps. But methinks B even the great ■ Charles Chaplin I must have realised I that he had dis' covered c 1 a.y worthy of the moulding ! <,. m. a. Two studies of George K. Arthur in " Hounded 5i» Corners." Flora Le Breton