Reel Life (1915-1916)

Talented Kiddies of the Mutual Family There’s a host of them, and their natural abilities have won them national acclaim Tula Belle, of the Thanhouser Studios, age seven. IDDIES — There’s a host of them and they all belong to the Mutual Film Corporation’s great army of screen players. And each of them has won a distinct success before the camera, despite their tender years. First of all there is winsome and talented little Tula Belle, who, regardless of her seven years, is conceded one of the most talented and popular kiddies appearing in screen productions. Tula was born in far away Norway, where she romped and played until she was four years old. Then her mother brought her to America. Tula comes from a family of stage celebrities. When only two years old she appeared on the stage of the National Theatre in Christiana. Hakon II was one of the great array of notables present at the opening performance who joined in the great demonstration paid to the talents of this beautiful child, who, at two, was making her debut before the footlights. Many offers as a result came to the mother of the child from theatrical people in various European cities. But her mother, believing a greater opportunity waited her offspring in the land of promise, brought her here. That was about • three years ago. Tula entered the employ of the Thanhouser-Mutual studios at New Rochelle some eighteen months ago and with the very first picture she appeared in won instantaneous approval. Tula lives in New Rochelle but a short distance from the studios. She has a play garden all her own. In the winter time she amuses herself, when not engaged at the studios, in all the winter sports enjoyed by a healthy little girl of seven. Tula does not go to school, not because she does not want to, but because her studio duties give her but little time to herself. However, this does not mean that she is neglecting her studies, for she has a governess who is teaching her French, music and the other important elementaries which every little girl and boy must learn. And then comes Covington Barrett and little Dorothy Cardy, who are appearing with ever increasing success in Gaumont-Mutual productions. And there is golden-haired little Doris Baker — just “half past seven” — away out in California with the David Horsley forces. Too, one must not overlook charming little Dorothy Benham, another of the Thanhouser group of talented kiddies, which the Mutual Film Corporation boasts as its own. And what busy and highly accomplished little kiddies they all are ! Because these youngsters have taken up a career in motion Covington Barrett, seven years old, and Dorothy Cardy, aged six, photographed at the Gaumont winter studios in Jacksonville. pictures, one must not assume for a moment that they have lost their sweet childishness or simplicity. Far from it. Each one of them is just as much of a child at heart as the wild-haired little street gamin or the country kid who spends the greater portion of the day at play. At work before the camera they are as serious as the highest-priced star. But, when work is done, invariably they rush off to play, the girls with their dolls, and the boys with their sleighs, when snow permits, of course. If you have seen the Mutual Masterpicture, De Luxe Edition, As a W oman Sows, you will know that Covington Barrett is an acrobat. He stands on his head while at least three feet of film is grinding, clad in small white pajamas, and jumps into bed with a spring which speaks well for his training. He is seven years old. His, little playmate and co-worker, Dorothy Cardy, is six. Her head is covered with bright ringlets of pure gold. Her eyes are blue, her cheeks round and pink, and her smile so adorable that it makes every one love her dearly, whether on or off the screen. Doris Baker, the little Californian actress, has appeared in some of the best pictures the David Horsley Company has produced. She appeared irj. The Winning of Jess, with Margaret Gibson, and again in Could a Man Do More? with Crane Wilbur. Doris had a happy meeting with the motion picture camera. Her home was near a studio. One day the director was looking for a little girl with light hair to fit into a drama he was producing. He spied little Doris. He called her to him. After that he went with her to her home. He found her mother and asked if Doris might play in his picture. She has played in pictures ever since. Dorothy Benham, who is only four, and who is a very successful little player, is a very busy baby these days. One of her friends gave her a thimble for her birthday. She has since filled an entire cedar chest with wonderful doll’s clothes. It keeps her so terribly busy to keep her family of dolls all properly clothed. There are thirty of them in all. They are the gift of a gentleman in Canada, who saw the little girl on the screen, and immediately thought up this lovely scheme of keeping her happy. Dorothy’s mother has fitted up a “nursery” for the little girl, in which she spends most of her spare time. “After work,” said the little one recently,” I like best to hurry right home to see my dollies, ’cause I’m always afraid something may have happened to them while I was away. Next to my work, I love my dollies Doris Baker, best of all.” aged seven. REEL LIFE — Page Fourteen