The Picture Show Annual (1928)

Picture Show Annual 39 there are many who have won fame and wealth long before entering the twenties—that is to say, in the Spring of their life. Of these to-day, perhaps the two who bloomed most sensationally and yet whose fresh, starry-eyed youth is unspoiled by the sudden advent of fame and wealth, and the attendant flatteries and insincerities that always follow in their train, are Lois Moran and Betty Bronson. Betty, as is well known, was chosen because of the spirit of eternal youth that lights her eye. She was absolutely right for the part of lovable, cocky, impudent Peter Pan. Sir James Barries choice was unerring, and a breathlessly happy Betty leapt into the ken of expectant thousands. Many thought that this was her first screen role. It was her first important one, but she had been playing insignificant little bits for some time, although even then she was only seventeen. Mary Brian also acquired fame in a slightly lesser degree in this film as a delightful little Wendy. Unlike Peter Pan, Wendy had not played on the film before: she had come from a Texas ranch to Los Angeles to win fame and fortune as an illustrator. Instead, the winning of a beauty contest led her to the stage, and there she was seen by the director of " Peter Pan," who engaged her in spite of absolutely no screen experience at all. Mary was then sixteen. Lois Moran and Sally O'Neil are among the greatly envied few who step straight into important parts with practi- cally none of the nerve-racking, wearing life of the extra, without any personal knowledge of the eternal quest for work, the continual disappointments, the petty worries, humiliations, and triumphs which are part of the " extra's " daily round. Lois was working in only her second picture when her fresh, flower-like beauty, which had evoked comment throughout her short life, captured the fancy of a