Picture Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

98 Oddments and Remainders Scattered reminiscences of the days when certain stars were treading the boards behind the footlights, in prelude to their fame beneath the light of the Kleigs. By Harold Seton IN going over a private collection of theater programs, the writer has been amused and interested in discovering various names that are now well known in the movies. And, believing that the fans will share this amusement and interest, some of these dates and details are herewith recorded, George Fawcett, for some years past a favorite exponent of father roles in pictures, made his stage debut in 1886, but first appeared in New York in 1887, at the long-since-demolished theater, Niblo's Garden, in "She." This story, by H. Rider Haggard, was screened some years ago by -William Fox, with Valeska Suratt in the title role. In 1900, a melodrama called "Hearts Are Trumps" was produced at the old Garden Theater in New York. And who do you suppose played a minor role, that of Arthur Dyson? A young actor destined for fame and fortune as a movie director and producer — Cecil B. DeMille! In 1902 Mr. DeMille was in "Alice of Old Vincennes." This title recalls a curious coincidence. Alice Terry, now a movie star, was originally Alice Taafe, and she was born and bred in Vincennes, Indiana! Also in 1900, Blanche Bates starred in "Madame Butterfly," at the Herald Square Theater, New York, and in her support appeared Claude Gillingwater, now well known in the movies. In 1901, Mr. Gillingwater was in "Du Barry," at the Criterion Theater, and Charles Stevenson played a leading part. Mr. Stevenson is also in the movies, nowadays. James Kirkwood was in "The Girl of the Golden West," a 1903 production, and, like "Du Barry," it was staged by David Belasco. Jesse Lasky, in 1908, graduated from the ranks of vaudeville performers into a vaudeville producer. Having previously played the cornet for the entertainment of the two-a-day audiences, Mr. Lasky offered an act, "The Pianophiends," at Proctor's Fifth Avenue Theater, New York. Later that same year, he offered "The Love Waltz," featuring John Bunny. Some years later Mr. Bunny became internationally popular in pictures. Also in 1908, a young and beautiful girl attracted attention in Ziegfeld's "Follies." She was Mae Murray, and during that year she married William Schwenker. Her fourth and present husband, Prince David Mdivani, is Mae's junior in years but not in looks, for she could still pass for a flapper. In 1909, a musical comedy, "The Queen of the Moulin Rouge," was produced at the Circle Theater, New York, now a movie house, and Francis X. Bushman was in the cast. He had but little to do, and the featured players were Carter De Haven and Flora Parker, who years later starred in film comedies. "The Florist Shop" was presented on Broadway in 1909, the company including Johnnie Hines. That season De Wolf Hopper starred in "A Matinee Idol," and the name Elda Curry appeared on the program. Later this actress married and divorced the star, and became Hedda Hopper. The leading lady in that show was Louise Dresser. Now Miss Dresser and Miss Hopper are both in the movies. Still another play of 1909 was "The Patriot," at the Garrick Theater. The star was William Collier, and the leading lady was Paula Marr, who is Mrs. Collier. The boy who was programmed as Buster is now William Collier, Jr., a favorite juvenile of the films. At Maxine Elliott's Theater, in 1909, Milton Sills was leading man in "This Woman and This Man," and in 1912 he played a leading role in "The Governor's Lady," at the Republic Theater. In 1924, "Dancing Mothers," a play by Mr. Goulding and Edgar Selwyn, was produced in New York, and Frances Howard was engaged as leading lady. She rehearsed the part, but, when the play opened, Helen Hayes enacted the role. Miss Howard had, within a few weeks, been wooed and won by Samuel Goldwyn, the movie magnate. In 1918 Alice Brady, formerly a star in pictures, was in the stage play, "Forever After," at the Central Theater, New Yot'k, and her leading man shared in the success of the production. Shortly after that, Conrad Nagel left the stage for the studios, and prospered. That same year, 1918, Give Brook made his stage debut in England, acting in "Fair and Warmer." He did not reach London until 1920, when he was in "Just Like Judy," at the St. Martin's Theater. Coming to America, he soon developed; into a film favorite. By an odd coincidence, two of David Belasco's productions of 1919 afforded opportunities to players destined to marry and migrate to Hollywood. Edmund Lowe was in "The Son-Daughter," and Lilyan Tashman was in "The Gold Diggers." Miss Tashman was previously in "The Follies." Some years ago Kathleen Clifford went to Hollywood to act in the movies, after a lifetime on the stage. As a side line she opened a florist shop, and, doing well, started a chain of them. However, she still appears in pictures now and then. In 1903 she was in "The Girl from Kay's," at the Herald Square Theater, New York, a fellow-player being Elsie Ferguson, who later starred in pictures. Toby Claude is another veteran of the stage, who occasionally acts in the movies. In 1897 she appeared at the Casino Theater, New York, as Fifi Fricot, in "The Belle of New York." This role was created by Phyllis Rankin, who later went to London to play the part. Miss Rankin is the mother of Arthur Rankin, who now acts in the movies. Nine out of ten who act in the films received their original training on the stage. Among the very few exceptions to the rule are Norma and Constance Talmadge. Reversing the process, Theda Bara, after having been very popular in the movies, tried her luck in the theater, ill-advisedly starring in a piece called "The Blue Flame." She failed so dismally that her career was practically ended. Most of the film directors formerly acted on the stage, including Albert Parker, Robert Z. Leonard, Sydney 01cott, and John Robertson. David W. Griffith was for several seasons in support of the late James K. Hackett. Herbert Brenon was in vaudeville. So was Tom Terriss