Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1921 - Feb 1922)

A Girl's Adventures in Movieland 31 Islip." I always wonder whether the star will come up to expectations, or whether I will be disillusioned ; I haven't been yet, but I'm always afraid I'm going to be. Islip was smaller than the rest of the stations, so I knew I wouldn't have any trouble finding Miss Stewart if she were there. But I looked at all the cars standing around, and she wasn't there ! However, before the train drew out, I spied a slim young girl come hurrying through the station, and I grabbed her right away because I recognized Anita Stewart. "My dear, you are the first interviewer that ever managed to get here," she greeted me with. ".So many have made arrangements to come, but the distance seemed too great, or they always happened to get a local or something, and that makes it seem dreadfully long. You came on a local, too." That I had happened to get a local wasn't nearly so trying to me as it was to her. I think I would have been glad to make the trip if I had had to walk. For some unaccountable reason I had always pictured Anita Stewart in real life as a more or less dignified, proud young lady — one who would look right through and past a mere fan. I don't know where I got the idea. I guess I jvist imagined it the way all fans get funny notions about movie stars without having any good reason for them. Anyway, I was glad to find that I was mistaken. Anita Stewart doesn't impress you a bit that way. She isn't dignified or distant in the least, but very friendly and girlish, and when she smiles it lights up her whole face and makes you feel as if you had known her for years. We stopped in the village, as she said she had to get some things at the stores from a list she had in her pocket. I watched her as she stopped before the stands to buy fruit and vegetables, and went into the butcher's and the grocer's. Several small boys stood and eyed her very interestedly. I was wondering what the shopkeepers thought at waiting on Anita Stewart. I suppose they are used to celebrities for their customers, but to me it was a distinct shock. Somehow I couldn't adjust myself to the revelation of a movie star shopping for eatables! Can you picture dainty, fashionable Anita of the society dramas fingering vegetables and coming out of a butcher's shop just like an ordinary person? Goodness, it did seem queer to see her in the role of a housewife. Not any the less interesting, understand, but sort of topsy-turvy with one's notions about movie actresses. Besides, she didn't even look the role — she looked so very pretty and chic in her sport costume of orange silk sweater and white flannel skirt, with a long white coat she wore over it, white ties trimmed with gray, and white turban with a wide-meshed veil. ■'Instead of shopping for clothes with me, we're shopping for our lunch. Now you see how domesticated I am," she laughed as she climbed back into the car. "You must be hungry and tired from your long journey. But never mind, we'll rest all afternoon. I'm great at resting." "You don't work at all while you're in the East, do you. Miss Stewart?" I asked. "No, I'm on my vacation. You see, I have several pictures finished ahead of time. So while I'm here I just rest. That is, I buy clothes and have my photographs taken, and such things." The car sped along the smooth road, both sides of which were bordered by picturesque estates. They reminded me very much of the Long Island residences you see pictured on the stage, particularly in farces. These stage settings are very true to form because the Photo by C. Heighten Monroe Anita Stewart isn't dignified or distant in the least, but very friendly and girlish. real Long Island places are exactly like them. Miss Stewart told me they are mostly owned by immensely wealthy people, that when a hospital was needed in the vicinity, as small as the town was, thousands of dollars were raised easily because of the rich people living there. I believe it was Mrs. Morgan Belmont, she said, lived on the street we were passing. "You know, I was under the impression you were