Tumbleweeds (United Artists) (1925)

Material for Program, House Organ and Ads Who’s Who in the Picture Advertising Catchlines BARBARA BEDFORD as MOLLY LASSITER—William S. Hart gave Barbara Bedford her first real opportunity in pictures. She had been doing extra work for some time, and was selected from many to play rather an important role in “The Cradle of Courage.” From that time on she de¬ veloped in popularity and played numerous big roles with big companies. But oddly enough, until the production by Mr. Hart of “Tumbleweeds,” she had not since worked in his company. But she was a happy choice for Molly. She is a fine looking, pure American type, beautiful, wholesome and vivid. And she can act. Born in Prairie du Chien, Wis., she entered the extra ranks as she expresses it, for fun, but it has become a career—the art of the silent drama. She has no special hobbies, liking all sorts of sports and doing everything she undertakes well. Miss Bedford has dark brown hair and eyes and a “schoolgirl” com¬ plexion that is her very own. Her home is in Hollywood. LUCIEN LITTLEFIELD as “KENTUCKY RpSE”—If ever a part was made for an actor and an actor to fit the part, it was in the pase of Lucien Littlefield who plays “Kentucky Rose.” The character is that of a rather lovelorn cowboy, by no means a beauty, but loyal to his pal, Don Carver, played by Bill Hart. His one failing 1 is the fair sex. And he falls for a buxom Irish widow with three children in the rout of the homestead¬ ers seeking claims on the Cherokee Land Strip. His( sang froid, his non¬ chalance, his unction, in short, render him a character almost unparalleled in pictures. Lucien Littlefield, who has won the highest praise for his many fine characterizations in many fine pictures, is also an artist in make¬ up. He can make himself look ninety and deceive the elect. He has such a keen sense of humor that he grasps the essentials of a role at once and develops them. So that he was ideal for the role and has made of it one that will linger long in memory. His comedy supplies the necessary foil to the serious action of the play and is an outstanding feature. Mr. Littlefield is a Texan, an ardent student of his work and a man of high ideals. “The advance guard of a gigantic army”—The homesteaders heading for the Cherokee strip. See “Tumbleweeds” at . theatre. “Funny how horses like water—they got so much sense in every other way.” See William S. Hart in “Tumbleweeds.” “If you ever meet that hombre alone—don’t turn your back on him.” See William S. Hart in “Tumbleweeds.” “The only land I’ll ever settle down on will be under a tombstone. “To think that gal could have a poor cayuse like him for a brother.” “Look at them. Time’s cornin’ when a man won’t have room enough to fall down.” “All dolled up like a mail order horse wrangler.” “I been a ‘tumbleweed’ all my life—but now I’m aimin’ to settle down.”-' “Sure, I haven’t had such a glorious time since my foist husband died.” “Tears, laughter—humanity in the raw—but invincible in its first pur¬ pose—the winning of a fireside.” “A million years ago, I made a mistake—I’m apologizin’.” JACK MURPHY as BART LASSITER—There is a fine boy’s role in "Tumbleweeds” and for this—the part of Bart Lassiter—Master Jack Murphy was engaged. He is thirteen, a husky lad, with an ingenuous countenance and no small ability as an actor. He played in “Swiss Family Robinson,” “Peter Pan,” “Stella Dallas” and others. His father is attorney for the Port Commission of Seattle, Wash., and his younger brother, Maurice, is also an actor. Jack is bright, quick and adept and made good in the role of Bart from the beginning. LILLIAN LEIGHTON as MRS. RILEY—Formerly a newspaper woman, before she became an actress, Lillian Leighton is one of the best character artists on the screen. She is a native of Wisconsin and since entering films has played outstanding roles in dozens of big productions. As Mrs. Riley, the buxom, good natured Irish widow, playing opposite Lucien Littlefield as “Kentucky Rose” in “Tumbleweeds” she helps along the fun and sympathy tremendously. RICHARD R. NEILL as FREEL—Born in Philadelphia, Richard R. Neill started his career as a stock actor in George Holland’s company. It is interesting to note that Mrs. John Drew was also a member of the organ¬ ization. Later Neill went with the Frohmans and remained five years, playing in productions with most of their biggest stars. He was with E. H. Sothern for two years and later with the Shuberts. Most of the time he did light comedy and even musical comedy roles. He started work in pictures with the Edison Company in New York and later went with other big organizations of the film world at that time. It is only within the last few years that he went to the Pacific Coast and joined the film colony there. He played a part in William S. Hart’s picture, “Wild Bill Hickok” and in “Tumbleweeds” has the role of Freel, one of the villains. He is a mem¬ ber of the Lambs Club, which he joined in 1904. A polished actor, he brings to the) screen the advantage of long training in the legitimate and a thorough appreciation of the drama. ? GERTRUDE CLAIRE as THE OLD LADY—Gertrude Claire is from Boston and at one time managed her own stock company. In films she has worked consistently in innumerable pictures. One of her first appearances was in “Ramona.” In “Tumbleweeds” she has a highly sym¬ pathetic role, strongly tinged with pathos. Miss Claire has the heart touch and more than one tear will be shed over her acting in this role. “Women ain’t reliable! Cows are! That’s why I’m headin’ for South America, where there’s millions of ’em.” “That ain’t no homesteader—-it’s a woman!” “We’re goin’ back to our cows.” “Boss, can’t I come along? I ain’t had a drink for so long that my throat’s been closed for repairs.” “Ain’t none of them homesteaders in sight yet?” J. GORDON RUSSELL as “NOLL” LASSITER—Born in Pied¬ mont, Ala., and educated in the South, J. Gordon Russell is by way of being a real humorist aside from the fact that he’’ is one of the best heavies in the business and in William S. Hart’s production, “Tumbleweeds” has a role that calls for much villaining—that of Noll Lassiter. He had a stage career in stock and repertoire ere entering the film world. He has played in Hart pictures before, including “The Testing Block” and “Three Word Brand.” He is in the six-foot-one class and weighs 200 even. His favorite sports are riding, swimming, bowling and hunting—and as he adds he has never killed a “golf.” Hobbies include miniature building, gardening, etc. For study he goes in for ancient his¬ tory, Indian, lore and the art of the drama. He is a capable and versatile actor. CAPT. T. E. DUNCAN, a Major of Cavalry—Capt. T. E. Duncan is a former U. S. Army officer and was second lieutenant of the Third Mis¬ souri during the Spanish-American War, seeing service also in the Philip¬ pines in 1889, where he got his first cavalry training. He was with the Coast Artillery Corps, of which he was captain, in the National Guard of California. This corps was later mustered out of the State and into the U. S. service at the time of the World War. Capt. Duncan is thoroughly familiar with army tactics and has not only played military roles in many pictures but also has handled big martial scenes. His work in “Tumble¬ weeds” is as a cavalry major, but also he cared for the military details of the production.