Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1916)

YOU who, with bated breath, view the passionate scenes in which Virginia Pearson figures as a modern Cleopatra, must wonder at the home and home life of such a sorceress. This radiantly beautiful enchantress of the screen cordially invited me to visit her at her country place when I broached the subject. Accordingly, bright and early one morning, I was admitted to the veritable palace in New Jersey which she calls her heme. I was immediately ushered into her breakfast room, where she was busily engaged reading some of the countless letters from unknown admirers. Miss Pearson smiled and arose. "Won't you join me?" she interrogated. I thanked her and sat down. Then I gazed about the room in surprise. Instead of the gaudy decorations of the Far East, which I had expected to see in the home of this famous vampire of shadowland, everything was soft and subdued. On the walls were a few well-chosen pictures, the work, by the way, of Miss Pearson herself. Here and there were vases of roses and carnations. Presently I asked this beautiful actress to tell me something of her life. "I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, she said, "a member of the Calloway family. My mother. Mary Alice Calloway, was a descendant of men who opened the trail of civilization to the West. My father, Joseph Pearson, was a famous English artist." "But tell me something about yourself." I protested. She smiled. "I came to Xew York almost ten years ago, while still a young girl. Fortunately I was successful from the start. My greatest triumph, I feel, was as the vampire in Robert Hilliard'5 'A Fool There Was,' and I played that part for two years. I also appeared in 'The Hawk,' 'The Better Way,' and numerous Shakespearean plays." "And when did you enter the photo play?" I asked. "Oh," she smiled, 'T am a him vet