Picture-Play Weekly (Apr-Oct 1915)

Tom Powers in England VERY time we hear of an Ameri■'— ' can making good abroad, it does our heart good. The "get-there" spirit is responsible for our overwhelming number of successes in all spheres of endeavor. Knowing Tom Powers to have made good, we were on his track for an interview. Mr. Powers, as you are no doubt aware, won his spurs with the Vitagraph company. In the spring of 1913 it was rumored that he was to be associated with the Turner Films in England. At the time, however, there was no truth in the report. His advent into English films he tells himself : "I came to England last fall, merely intending to stay but for a few weeks. My one object was to get on intimate terms with British admirers, from whom I had so often heard, but had never seen. "I therefore secured a number of lecturing engagements at some of the picture theaters in leading English towns. There was nothing formal about my lectures— they were simply heart-to-heart talks on motion-picture matters in general and the acting side in particular. I wanted the great picture-going army to gain a proper understanding of our work. "You may guess how glad I was when I found that my chats were hugely appreciated. Many exhibitors rebooked me, and I obtained engagements to last fully a year. "Well, it struck me, that, as England had been so kind to me, I might as Avell stay with her for a while. I got back into harness by becoming leading man for the Turner Films, playing opposite Florence Turner. We produce in the Hepworth studio, and one day it got to my ears that the company was about to produce "Barnaby Rudge." This, to me, was good news, inasmuch as when I was with the Vitagraph I had the ambition to take the title role in the film version of this Dickens novel. So far, indeed, had my desire carried me that I designed and ordered my costume. But in the end I suffered a great disappointment when it was decided not to produce the picture. "On broaching the matter to Mr. Hepworth, he was enthusiastic that I play my ideal part, and the Turner Films sub let me for this purpose. Now that the production is completed, I feel as happy as anybody at vacation time. "The first raven we secured flew away after we had gotten it into training, so we had to begin over again with another. This liit me in several places. "At Bristol one of my performances was interrupted by a number of suffragettes throwing leaflets about and acting like lunatics. I joined in their calls of 'Votes for women.' They soon retreated, however, w^hen they were shouted down by the audience. Altogether, though, 1 had a splendid time. ]n Bristol, f'^-r c.xr.mple, the prominent citizens invited me to attend teas, dinners, and suppers ; so many, that I couldn't help reluctantly decline some of them. "Everywhere picture enthusiasts showered questions at me, varying from the name of Maurice Costello's wife to the color of John Bunny's hair. At the end of my turn, the last Vitagraph film I appeared in, 'Let 'Em Quarrel,' is thrown on the screen. As it unfolds, I interpret the conversation and tell what the thoughts of the players are. "To hark back, Mr. Hepworth seemed so pleased with my work that I became a member of the Hepworth Stock Company, though I am at liberty at any time to appear in the Turner productions." The moment you meet Tom Powers, you realize that you have found a sincere friend. He has an extremely likable, boyish manner, and so modest is he that he refuses to believe he is famous. Tom dabbles at sculpture work, and some clever models adorn the mantelpiece of his room. This talent he inherited from a relation, Hiram Powers, the maker of "The Greek Slave," one of our best-known statues. Tom hails from Dixieland, and is a typical Southerner. He comes from Irish stock, there being five generations of Powers. This interview took place in the throes of the European war, and he gives an insight of producing in such troublous times. "1 happened," he remarked, "to be walking along the main street of Wallon-on-Thames, attired as a British sailor for a film. To my astonishment a burly policeman approached, and, in a curt manner, accused me of being a deserter from the king's navy. I, of course, indignantly denied the charge, but the copper was evidently not to be done out of a promising case, for. although he failed to prove that I was a deserter, he nevertheless said I was guilty of wearing his majesty's uniform and bringing it into ridicule. As an -\merican, I felt very fierce, but there was nothing for me to do but to accompany the obstinate bobby — as they call them in England — to the police station. I was released after paying a fine." Mr. Powers concluded by saying: "Give my American admirers this message : I love England, but when the blinds are about to be drawn. I think of America, and the yearning comes to return to good old New York.'' Prejudiced. "VTOUR majesty," said the chief cook ■'■ timidly, to the cannibal king, "the new missionary is enveloped in a complete suit of armor from head to foot. "Then send him away," returned his majesty indifi^erenth', "I never could bear canned goods."