Picture Show (Nov 1919-Apr 1920)

The Picture Show, March 27th, 1920. 9 JACK DEMPSEYS FIRST LESSON ON THE FILMS Anna Q. Nilsson Teaches Jack How to Make Up for the Screen. IT'S not so hard to become a champion with tho proper training, according to Jack Dempsey, who battled his way into the limelight of the world in (he third round with .loss Willard, and who hopes to teach Carpentier a few now stunts in the manly art of self-defence ; but to become a motion picture actor — ah ! "that's different. Shortly after Dcuipsoy had won the great battle which took place at Toledo, Ohio, last July, he was the recipient of a most flattering offer to go into pictures. Of course, the most treasured thought in his mind is to retain the world's championship, but like most of the rest of us, he has his eagle eye ever on the almighty dollar, and all of those noughts between a big nine and the eternal decimal point helped him to mako a rapid decision. After signing the contracts, the question arose as to just what was required of a motion picture actor. In the ring, all that was necessary were a pair of gloves, tights, a substant ial wollop, and a good defence ; but in pictures everything was different. True he had assisted in making up many eyes, but they were always on (lie other fellow, and the sort of make-up that ho was accustomed to would never do for the silver sheet. "Who knows more about pictures than any other person in the world ? " queried Jack to his manager. " I don't know," was the answer, " but tho guy that made 'The Luck of the Irish ' might shed a little bit of that ' Luck ' stuff on you if we can find him." It just so happened that Allan Dwan, who was responsible for the success of " The Luck of the Irish," was producing in tho same studio that Jack was to work in. When they were introduced and shook hands. Jack smiled, for Dwan was the first man that had not cringed at his mighty grip. " Say," remarked Dempsey, " you don't act like most of the pink lemonade sports that I have seen on the screen — ever do any training '! " When he learned that Dwan was one of the best remembered athletes of Notre Dame University, ho immediately became interested. " Let us fix up a little ring of our own here in the studio ; you might be a good guy for me (o train with ! " But I thought you wanted to be an actor," retorted Dwan. "Come on with me, and ■ I'll ask one of my people to show you how to make-up." They entered one of the big staces together. " I'm not going to enjoy working in a joint like this," remarked Dempsey. " Somehow, you know, I don't believe I'll ever*— Oh, Boy ! who's the blonde with tho angel eyos — let me get my breath first," as Dwqn led him over and presented him to Anna Q. Nilsscn. " Well, I hopo to lose my punch, if it isn't tho school teacher ! " " I was a school teacher in my last picture," smiled Miss Nilsson, " but now I am a vampire in * The Heart of a Fool.' " Mr. Dwan then explained that Mr. Dempsey was anxious to learn the art of making-up, and wanted to know if Miss Nilsson would give him a few hints. " Certainly," she replied. She led him to her dressing-room with its delicate pink walls and ivory furniture. 'Now first," she smiled, " you must learn to make up your hands. Babetta," she called to her maid, as the big " champ " extended his hands that carried the mighty] wollop, i "I DEMPSEY reading his part with RENE R. RIVIERRE. think you'd better get anoiher box of powder." ."They are big, ain't they t " grinned Dempsey. " Some folks call 'em hams. One guy in Toledo said I ought to be pinched for carrying deadly weapons." After an hour's careful coaching. Jack lost all of his former embarrassment as he acquired the art of making-up. Grasping her small white hands in his two big ones, he remarked : V Gee, I am glad you and 1 are going to work in the same studio ; you're a teacher, a teacher on the screen, and some teacher of the art of ' make-up.' " JACK DEMPSEY, World's ^ Champion Heavy-weight.