Picture Play Magazine (Sep 1920 - Feb 1921)

Romances of Famous Film Folk 75 Chidester thought there was just nobody like Bryant "Washburn. And they think so yet. "But during my courtship I had to go home every night at ten o'clock!'' exclaimed Bryant. "That was father Chidester's cruel rule. Even the night before we were married they sent me home at the same old fatal hour." Those were the very nicest evenings in the whole world that they had alone together in their new home, Bryant "Washburn and Mabel Chidester that was. You remember ''Skinner's Dress Suit-'' and Honey? It was just like that all over again with them. Mabel learned to cook nicely, and when Bryant came home it wasn't to a funny actors' boarding house, but to a lovely young wife and a nicely cooked dinner. "And then one day " as the subtitles say — see business of making booties, robes, and other funny little thingumys. Because Sonny was coming ! He came one bright autumn morning. Of course, his real name is Bryant, but nobody ever calls him that. Sonny was born in the little flat, and proved an admirable infant. He never cried at night or got a pain in his stomach that made his dad have to sit up with him and lose his beauty sleep — his dad's, I mean — Sonny himself made no pretensions to beauty at the time. But Bryant's salary had to be stretched to meet the new needs. He worked and worked along for two years. Like Honey, in "Skinner's Dress Suit," Mabel thought he ought to have his salary raised — raised a lot. So she set out to learn what was wrong, why a man with Bryant's genius wasn't getting his name in electrics everywhere. Finally they decided together it was the stories he was doing. To be sure they were as good as anybody's stories, but not. Mabel was sure, good enough for Bryant. One afternoon when Sonny was taking his nap and everything was quiet in the flat, or as quiet as it ever gets in Chicago, Mabel sat reading a magazine. She turned the pages rather idly ; then suddenly she sat up straight, as a title caught her eye, "Skinner's Dress Suit." When she was half waythrough with the story, she jumped up, ran to where Sonny was sleeping in his crib and cried : "I've got it ! Here's the very story for Bryant!" Of course, Sonny awoke with a start and didn't appreciate the situation at all. but began to cry. but Mabel danced about like a girl. She thought she'd tele Continued from page 15 phone to Bryant about it, and then she thought no she wouldn't, but Mould wait and watch his face when he came home. He wasn't fairly in the house, of course, when she rushed to meet him with a glow on her face and the magazine in her hand. Manlike he was quite able to wait until after dinner for the story, and then they sat with their faces close together and read the tale of the good fortunes that came to Skinner because he dared to buy a dress suit. "Oh, the author will want a lot of money for that !" was Bryant's comment. "Well, Essanay will pay it !" replied Mrs. Washburn, all full of enthusiasm and the glow of optimism Chaplin Found Him — and pronounced him a genius ! And, according to all predictions, five-3'ear-old Jackie Coogan will be the talk of five continents when Chaplin's forthcoming masterpiece, "The Kid,"' is released. For Chaplin was so pleased with his juvenile discovery that he built the picture which he considers his masterpiece around the boy, and gave him a big share in its honors. Before You See "The Kid" you'll, want to know something about Jackie Coogan. You can do so by reading the January issue of Picture-Play Magazine. For in it the youthful genius will make his bow to the fans in an interview entitled, "Mr. Chaplin's Partner" You'll find him a most amazingly interesting youngster. superinduced by the story. "I — I'm going to ask them myself !" And so it turned out. That is, she went with Bryant to the heads of Essanay, and together they approached the subject of the story. If you knew Mrs. Washburn you'd know how hard it is to refuse her anything. The final outcome of it was that Essanay did buy the "Skinner" story for Washburn, and when the picture came out — well, if Mabel hadn't been a Chidester she would have cried for joy. For Bryant Washburn was famous. Known and liked before, his pictures were now in demand everywhere. So "Skinner's Dress Suit" proA-ed not only luck} for Skinner, but lucky for the Washburns, too._ That first night it was released in Chicago, Bryant and Mabel sat in the back of the house, where it was dark, and held hands. Only Bryant affected to kid the picture a good deal. And twice afterward that evening Mabel dragged him around the corner to surprise her Bryant's name in electric lights. Bryant's salary went up and up after that, and the little flat, was exchanged for a big one, while a neat maid in a cap was added to the household menage. The old Skinner charm seemed to work right along, for pretty soon along came the offer from Pathe which took the W^ashburns to California. When they reached the Western State they never stopped a minute until they had bought a large, handsome home in Hollywood, where there was a big, sunny back yard for Sonny to play in. Next, Washburn got the contract from Famous Players-Lasky, which made his name assured everywhere. His wife continued reading stories for him, and he played a score of good parts in comedy, with every one adding newlaurels to his name. Skinner and Honey in their happiest days never were happier than Bryant and Mabel in those days. It was there in the new house that baby Dwight was born. Followed soon the Washburn's first big trouble. The new baby was taken very ill. and there were many days and nights when neither Bryant nor Mabel stirred from his bedside. Somehow the little fellow pulled through, but he didn't rail)*, and one day the doctor gave forth his dictum : there must be a transfusion of blood from the veins of some strong, healthy person to the baby if the little one was to live. Of course, Bryant at once offered, the operation was performed, and from that day on the child began to thrive. If I have dwelt too much on Bryant's professional career in connection with his romance it was only because that love affair was so inextricably connected with the fact that his sweetheart and his wife was his helpmeet, and I can't tell about their devotion at all without mentioning his work. The Skinner luck goes right on working. Bryant Washburn now has his own company, with evenprospect bright for success. "Luck," did I say? It's a lot deeper than that — the' Bryant Washburns' good fortune. I think it springs not only from real excellency of mind and talent, but somehow from foundations of real character in the man and his wife. Because you know, as well as I do, that it wasn't just Skinner's dress suit that brought Sk inner luck.