Picture-Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

100 Continued from page 61 twinkling gleam of the candles about the ceremonial dais. The strains of the "Lohengrin" wedding march were played. As the minister interrogated the bride and groom, and spoke the words that united them, the music was changed to "Roses .of Picardy," Ruth's favorite song, which was softly played as an accompaniment throughout. Ruth looked exquisite in a white princess gown and a Juliet headdress, both trimmed in pearls. The bridesmaids, who included Pauline Starke, Gertrude Olmsted, Dorothy Phillips, and others, were attired in gowns of various orchid tones, and carried purple flowers. When Ben and Ruth descended from the platform and came down the aisle, the orchestra struck up "My Hero," and it was then that the spirit of enthusiasm for the distinctive event reached the unusual point of applause. There was a rush to congratulate Ruth and Ben, and both were showered with kisses by their friends. As a wedding it was unquestionably brilliant, and was so voted by everybody. The best men included, among others, Charles Rogers, Cornelius Keefe, James Hall, and Lloyd Hughes. Court Days Are On Stars manage still to keep frequently in the spotlight of the courts, and the question is, does it help or hurt ? Jetta Goudal and Sue Carol had contract difficulties threshed out recently. Lillian Gish was the defend Holfywood Higk Ligkts ant for about the 'steenth time in a suit brought by Charles Duell. Divorce actions involved Hoot Gibson, Pauline Garon, Jeanette Loff, Renee Adoree, Viola Dana, and Ethlyne Clair, most of these being the complainants, with the exception of Gibson and Miss Garon. Dorothy Devore was summoned to the tribunal, because she was alleged to have sold a house with a leaky roof. Priscilla Dean had troubles over an auto crash. Mae Busch went through the ordeal of pleading lack of funds to pay a commission. Mae's suit brought out some interesting figures on what it costs to be a star. She cited yearly expenses for clothes amounting to more than $20,000. The major items were evening gowns, coats, and afternoon dresses. The coats were listed at $3,000 to $8,000 ; the evening dresses at $3,000, hats and shoes totaled $1,000 each, and hose $500. Mae told the judge she had only a little over $400 of her own, which probably wouldn't be more than enough to buy a few beads. She didn't say this herself, but one can infer it, if one wishes. Dolores Avoids Spotlight Dolores del Rio is not going out socially. She is leading the life of a recluse. We know, because we have been to several parties where her friends attended, and she herself did not appear. Practically her only recent venture forth, besides an orange show at which she had to be present for professional and publicity reasons, was when she lunched at the Montmartre with Doctor Karl Vollmoeller, author of "The Miracle." At one time, just after Dolores left Europe, Vollmoeller was reported infatuated with her, and intent on following her to America. The rumor was duly denied later on, though the doctor admitted his admiration for Dolores as an actress and a friend. Vollmoeller was a house guest of Edwin Carewe, the director, during a part of his sojourn in Hollywood. It's Family Custom Now Molly O'Day is following in sister Sally O'Neil's footsteps. She is on a vaudeville tour. Sally meanwhile has crashed wide the gates of talkie land in a leading role in "Shoestrings," a new songand-dialogue picture. Sally will try her voice in this picture, and it won't be doubled as have those of several stars. We must give credit for the cleverness of the doubling in some instances, because it's been next to impossible to tell whether the star was really vocalizing or not, just by viewing and hearing the songs from the screen. Vaudevillians Invade A new census of the film colony will have to be taken soon. The population is increasing at a fearful rate. Mostly the arrivals seem to be stage and vaudeville players, many of them coming to the Coast without even the assurance of a contract. Others, naturally, are being specially brought. One sees an entirely new set of people at the public functions. Notably was this the case at some forContinued on page 111 Continued from page 21 in New York, and she had to tell all the little boys in the neighborhood about Charlie Chaplin's cane, and all the little girls about Mary Pickford's bobbed hair, and all the flappers about Clara Bow and her beaus. For to the younger generation Miss Carroll appeared as the flaming symbol of the movies. Miss Carroll, herself one of the most successful of the younger players, began her career as a shining example of amateur talent. The performances were staged in one of the Loew theaters on the East Side. The La Hiffs happened to live on the West Side, but the two girls practiced one of those little deceptions dear to the heart of all Irish folk. They confided their fraud to "Buddy" Carroll, who lived on the East Side. "Give my address and say you are my sisters," he advised. Nancy first distinguished herself Irish and Proud of It by hanging from the chandelier in the "Passing Show of 1923." She started in the chorus, but at the end of three weeks got the chance of a lead. It was here that Mrs. La Hiff felt in duty bound to interfere. The company was going on the road. Should Nancy jeopardize her immortal soul by going off by herself, unprotected, away from home with this wild troupe ? She should not. Nancy must stay at home with her family, and Nancy did. But she continued to appear in various revues in New York. About this time she married young Kirkland, a newspaper man, whose sound advice and judgment have been a strong factor in Nancy's success. They decided to go to Hollywood, where Nancy appeared on the stage and Kirkland wrote scenarios. Nancy had a yen for pictures, so she submitted a test to William Fox and was given a part in "Ladies Must Dress." Anne Nichols was looking for an Irish girl to play Rosemary, in "Abie's Irish Rose." As she glanced out of her office window, she caught sight of Nancy's round Irish face, gazing up at the spires in front of the studio. "Just the type," she cried, as she all but ran out onto the lot with a contract in her hand. The La Hiff family and its offshoots occupied the entire mezzanine of the theater when the picture came to New York, and ever since a solid army of La Hiffs attends her pictures en masse with a view to finding out for themselves just what Nancy is doing out there in Hollywood. Mrs. La Hiff almost passed on to her eternal reward when she heard a Continued on page 109