Picture Play Magazine (Jul - Dec 1929)

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1 1 Irene Rich and her daughters by her first marriage, Frances, left, and Jane. Irene Is Made Ov er Just when her screen career was stagnating and her future uncertain, Miss Rich took a flyer in vaudeville and found a new personality and the secret of renewed success. By Myrtle Gebkart WHERE, I wondered, as she sat across the table, tailored in blue, her manner jaunty, and her merry eyes shining, was the Irene Rich of responsibilities and rules? She in whom, if ever there had been any chance turbulence, it was instantly curtained with a well-bred calm ? Gathering her courage in one final effort to fight off professional stagnation, she had taken out a vaudeville act, and had turned the failure predicted for it into success by being herself. Dulled into routine's security by poverty's reminder and a family's necessity, for a long time she dared not involve her career, though it was gradually slipping down grade, by pursuing" endeavors of chance. Always her desire to go on the stage was shelved as an unreasonable and foolish dream. Lack of confidence in her own powers Avas her bete noire. Practicality overlaid her manner, her every thought. Life itself had a much-pressed air. Her capability in many guises was evidenced, even stressed; one almost resented her skill in coordinating the duties of career and home, with so little friction. Making a cult of conservatism, she was too thoroughly nice. But certainly she did not express the strong convictions, italicized by gestures, to which she gives vent now. Why, once or twice during our talk, instead of compromising as she used to, she was absolutely opinionated ! I wanted to get up and cheer, and in sheer surprise might have done so, if we hadn't been so continuously interrupted by the glad greetings of her friends. Her excursion into vaudeville refashioned her into buoyancy. It dimmed the faint lines which were beginning to etch that set-in-a-mold look; it fluffed her conversation. Vivaciously fluent, her repartee is keenly pointed, at times pungent; she broadcasts verve, and an electric interest in everything and everybody. Her very thoughts seem to leap and hum. The success of her tour was largely <\uc to her unostentatious, intimate manner. Her sketch had a light cleverness, hi her public appearances she wore frilly clothes, which site invested with that spontaneous, youthful charm nullified by the camera and te roles so frequently allotted to her. The friendliness of her curtain speech, with its timidity, quite won everybody. She was no movie Star, making a personal appearance. Explaining that this articulate venture was undertaken as a test of her vocal ability, the simplicity of her address accomplished an appeal beyond rhetoric's power. It had an air of. "I'm trying to put tin's over — will you help me?" which went strai to people's hearts. That sincerity was a reflection herself. The tour was beneficial in a number of ways. It deloped her voice, taught her some >kill in its projecti tge, and nuance and brought out a clear, crisp tone. It gave her poise and self-confidence. If ever again a rut threatens her. she will break ou1 of it with quicker courage and energy. Most important o\ all. was the public's introduction to the real Irene Rich, lovely, spirited, gay. "Why. you're so much younger than we expected!" fans exclaimed invariably, in surprisi mre. Continued on page 115