Screenland (May-Oct 1931)

for October 19 3 1 113 He was "Ruggles of Red -Eye' Continued from page 51 audience is always for him rather than against him. Ruggles enjoys character work thoroughly. He thinks it is the nicest kind. He played juvenile roles on the stage for eight years — then someone spotted him as a character man. They stuck whiskers on him, and for several years he played old men. It wasn't until he was quite grown up that he was again given youthful roles. And in the meantime he was on the road to becoming a "funny man." He discovered that it was easy for him to make people laugh. He can't explain the evolution from character man to clown. It has caused him a lot of worry. "Because I always make 'em laugh on the stage or screen I am supposed to be funny all the time," he lamented. "It gets monotonous. After all, I have my serious moments. "I haven't been to see a doctor for more than twenty years — I'm afraid ! If I went into his office about to die, I could never convince him of the fact. He'd take one look at me and say : 'Why, if it isn't Charlie Ruggles!' and burst out laughing." Ruggles looks much the same off the screen as on. His shoulders are very broad and muscular. His hair is light brown, almost sandy. His eyes are very blue, though he would probably tell you they were gray. As for height, he stands five feet seven inches, an adequate height for his 150 pounds. His mustache is scarcely noticeable. He worries because it grows so sparsely and because it remains very light. He darkens it for stage and screen work. He has finely chiseled features and a charming voice. Most of the year he spends on a farm on Long Island. He hates the city and comes in only when business necessitates it. He says he lived on the same farm for sixteen years (discounting the time he spent on the West Coast or on the road) and the neighbors didn't know him until he began screen work. He does his own gardening and owns the two-acre place at which he spends so much of his time. There are no cows or chickens there. Instead, there are canary birds and dogs by the score. He calls each by name. There are Boofy, Tufftoo, Wickie, Lambie, Sasparilla and a great many more whose names the writer cannot recall. It's evident, however, that Flip, the wire-haired terrier, Onery, the favorite canary, Oxso, the police dog, and Cocky, the parrot, get the actor's main attention. But these names — how did they originate ? Ruggles can't explain it. He says he "just calls 'em." This "amiable drunk" describes himself as a "ham-and-eggs-for-breakfast-lambstew-for-dinner" kind of person. No frills for him. Milk and cookies are his favorite repast. Often at night he drinks a quart of milk before retiring. "It keeps my cheeks rosy," is his excuse for it. Sherry wine is his favorite drink, next to milk. Strawberry ice-cream, or vanilla with chocolate sauce, is his choice of desserts. He likes to read modern fiction — but never in bed. He has to be fully dressed and shaved before becoming involved in any activity. One of his pet peeves is the comic strips — any of them. He goes wild when someone asks him if he has the slightest idea what is going to happen to Joe Doaks or Billy Glutt in a particular comic strip. Inherently no swearing man, he swears at that. Yet some of the most famous of comic strip artists have been his close friends. Though always suitably dressed for all occasions, he doesn't go for clothes in a big way. He says they are merely "something to cover the fair body." He is by nature sympathetic. Because of this, he feels that he would have made a successful physician. He gets a kick out of sympathizing with people for any reason. His friends take advantage of it and tell him "All." Says he hasn't had a battle of any kind for years and years. Has scores of friends. His return to the studios after a few weeks' absence is a regular homecoming celebration. His silliest moment happened not long ago, while he was acting in "Girl Habit." One scene had to be filmed on Fifth Avenue in the Fifties. Ruggles was required to wear dark glasses, walk with a stick, and carry a tin cup. He was panicky while doing it — afraid that someone he knew would recognize him. He was disappointed that he didn't get even one coin in the cup. So he doesn't think he'll pursue it as a career. He dislikes being stared at. He abhors Beech-Nut Gum The best proposal between smokes . . You'll enjoy chewing Beech-Nut Gum between smokes. Its clear, cool flavor refreshes your taste sense — makes every smoke taste better — as good as the first smoke of the day. Motorists find that chewing gum relieves the tension of driving. Remember always, there is no gum so flavorful as Beech-Nut. Made by the Beech-Nut Packing Co. Also makers of Beech-Nut Fruit Drops and Mints. Peppermint, Wintergreen and Spearmint Flavors MAKES THE NEXT SMOKE ~T A S T E BETTER ^ When you write to advertisers please mention SCREENLAND.