Picture-Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1927)

84 How Sojin Does It Merely by removing his teeth Sojin acquired the comic expression that made him such a hit as the Jewish jeweler in "The Wanderer." married her. They now have two sons, one of whom shows great literary promise and is attending school in this country. About six years ago, becoming interested in the possibilities in motion-picture work, Sojin came to America with a view of entering films. But, not knowing English, he had no means of gaining access to those in a position to help him. After a long, fruitless effort to find work, he decided to give up his movie ambitions for the time being. He went up to Canada and traveled about, enjoying a prolonged vacation, which he sorely needed after his years of hard work in Japan. Later he settled in San Francisco, where he founded and edited a monthly magazine called The East and West Times. This was a Japanese publication intended to encourage friendly feelings between Japan and the United States. Then, one day, when he was on a fishing excursion off San Pedro, he met an old friend, a Jap, who had heard that Douglas Fairbanks was in need of an intelligent Oriental to play an important part in "The Thief of Bagdad." Thinking that perhaps this might prove to be his long-awaited opportunity, Sojin hastened to the Pickford-Fairbanks studio and made application for the part. Although many Orientals had already applied, Sojin's appearance and long experience, added to numerous screen tests, finally secured the coveted role for him. His work in this important film was such an outstanding characterization that it led to many other important engagements for him, until now he is well established on the screen and in constant demand for unusual Oriental roles. When Sojin was first considered for the part of the Japanese butler in "The Bat," it was decided by Director Roland West that his appearance lacked a certain sinister quality necessary to the role — his teeth were too perfect, his smile too bland — so some one else was sought for the role. All this was not explained to the clever Oriental, because of his limited knowledge of English, but an effort was made to find a Jap or a Chinaman with a "fearful, frightful, frantic" smile, to paraphrase the famous song in "The Mikado." Dozens and dozens of Orientals, were interviewed — tall, short, lanky, obese, with and without pigtails — but none had the proper tusklike teeth. Finally it was decided that perhaps Sojin was the best bet after all, in spite of his too-pleasant smile. He was called in and given the part. But the director added that he did wish he didn't have such nice, even teeth. And with much gesticulating, it was explained to him why he hadn't been selected without hesitation. Slowly a broad smile spread over his usually impassive countenance. With a soft "Excus';" he told Mr. West that was all right, he could fix it. "Come back tomorrow," he said. Wondering, Mr. West let him go, first signing his contract at a nice, fat salary to play in "The Bat." The following day Sojin appeared. As he came into the room where West sat dictating, he took off his hat and smiled fiendishly, horribly, at the surprised director. For there, protruding from the corners of his mouth, were two short tusks. They lent just the proper amount of sinister ugliness to his appearance. West clapped him on the back joyously and asked him how he had done it. "I have plenty teef," he said, smiling fiercely ially. He pulled a case from his pocket and opened it, revealing set after set Continued on page 107 and showing both tusks gen Sojin as the brutal coolie in "The Sea Beast. " For the role of the imbecile-looking Sultan in "The Lady of the Harem," he made his teeth few and far between.