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31
You Never Can Tell
James Hall's quick rise on the screen should be a lesson to those who told him he didn't register, and that he wasn't a typical American.
By William H. McKegg
WHEN a chap succeeds by going contrary to all the advice of well-meaning friends, we have to hand him the cake. . If James Hall had done what others told him to do, he would, he admits, still be a back number in the crowd. Instead of that, though a comparative newcomer to the screen, he is already quite well known.
"Always," Jimmie informed me, "I have longed to own a home in California. I know that sounds like a newcomer's speech, but it's true. Whenever I used to mention it to my friends on the stage they would tell me I'd never make enough money to have a olace out here, and be able to travel to
and from New York, but " He has, though the
home on the hillside is only a recent achievement, and of course this stroke of luck did not come all at once.
While still on the stage, he tried to conquer the movies whenever the troupe he was with came out to the Coast. He came, saw but, unlike Caesar, went back — then came again. Playing at the Biltmore Theater on his last trip West, James tried once more to get into pictures, only to find that the getting in is even harder than the trying.
One test was taken here, another there. A film man, considered an authority, said, "I'd advise you to stay on the stage, my boy. You look good on the screen — oh, yes. quite good — but you don't seem to register." Others, even friends, said similarities. Such discouragement would have caused many an aspirant to scatter ashes and retire to solitude.
But Jimmie fooled them all. He kept up the fight and did succeed in being considered — ominous word — for the leading role with Bebe Daniels in "The Campus Flirt."
"What we really want," said those who always know what they want, even when it isn't clear to others, "is a typical American youth. A college chap. Oh, yes" — to crestfallen James — "you're an American, but what we
His friends on the stage told him he'd never make enough money to live in Los Angeles, but now look at the rich sportsman on his own doorstep.
Photo by Richee
Whenever James Hall came to Los Angeles in a musical comedy he tried to break into the movies, but always he was rejected — and in spite of that smile!
want is a typical "
Nevertheless, James got the part and, later, the praise, fooling those who said he did not look so very American.
Had his troubles ceased ? Attend, all ye !
Little Pola was slightly perturbed. Here she was, with a splendid director, Mauritz Stiller ; a good story, "Hotel Imperial ;" a brilliant supervisor, in the person of Erich Pommer, but — no suitable leading man. Mam had come, proffering their services ; tests had been taken, but none had been chosen. The search for a 1. m. continued.
"What about James Hall ?" some one asked the seekers. [Continued on page 104]