Picture Show (Nov 1919-Apr 1920)

The ricture Show, March 21th, 1920. THE EXPRESSIONS OF GUY NEWALL. Special to "THE PICTURE show:' The British Star Who Considers Film-acting the Best Profession in the World. ONE seldom associates anti-aircraft guns and the formation of a film company, but it was whilst Guy Newall was on duty one night that the foundation of the Lucky Cat Film Company was laid. George Clarke was on duty with a gun when Guy Newall happened along — no Zepps. a rather bored feeling, a chat, and a smoke, and, lo and behold, in 1920 we find Guy Newall and Ivy Duke starring in some of the finest British films vet made! A Cheery Soul. GUY is one of the cheeriest of souls one could wish to meet, and even though the day was dull and gloomy, and I was mud bespattered by the time I reached the studio, 1 completely forgot traffic difficulties, and the surly bus conductor, when I arrived in the studio where Guy was at work, for he smiled. His smile is infectious, and soon there were at least yards of smiles alwavs fata! for I smiled, too, and that is GUY NEWALL. A Scenario Writer. r 'TWEEN scenes Guy told me that before 1 the war he played important parts with Edna Flugratb at the London Film Studio. Some of his films were ''Mother Love," '"Driven" (which, by the way, was th«' first Temple Thurston novel to be screened), " Money For Nothing," " Trouble For Nothing " (the plots of these he wrote himself), '"The Manxman," "The Heart of Sister Ann," and " Esther." And his career from thence onwards, he told me, has consisted of service with the R.G.A. during the war. and leads in the George Clarke productions since the Armistice, His Hobbies. I SOON learnt that Guy was loathe to tell me anything about his work, so I switched on to hobbies and then got a connection through to films as follows : " You're fond of horses ? " " Yes, I breed New Forest ponies. Want to exhibit a pair at Richmond Horse Show and win li rst prize, then I'll be happy." " How about Betty, your dog ? " " Betty ? Didn't know she would make good till we tried her out in ' The Garden of Resurrection.' " " By E. Temple Thurston ? " I asked. " Yes, and Mr. Thurston was so pleased with the film that he has promised to write a scenario specially for us." " What, other films are you going to do ? " " We've just finished ' The Lure of Crooning Water ' I play the farmer in it. Jolly nice part, too ! Then to come are ' The Five-Barred Gate,' ' Duke's Son,' ' Testimony," and ' Mirage,' and a host of other stories by wellknown authors." A Lover of His Work. YOU like film work ? " "Rather!" — then a broad smile, "Better than anti-aircraft gunnery! Better than — — WeU, I wotdd choose film acting S£ a profession before anything else because it's play to me. Even like it better than golf ! " '■ What is your handicap > " Two." Then another smile, which was followed bv a straightening of the upper lip. " Hear that ? " " Yes." "Well, I've got to beat it. They're ready for that next scene. Come along with me ! " " Right ! " And 1 followed. A Perfect "Bonhomie." IT is a pleasure to see Cuy Newall at work under the directions of George Clarke. Each understands the other so perfectly that a scene is seldom rehearsed more than once. A great "bonhomie'' exists between these two men who first discovered " over there," Ibey were both interested in films. One can safely say that there is a big reception awaiting (leorge Clarke films when Ihcy are released; and when One sees how these films are made, one realises that the same feeling which exists in the George Clarke Studio life is reflected, and even intensified, in the work which these artistes do before the camera.