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for J a n u ar y 19 3 6
33
Up Pops
Th
e
Past!
For the first time your pet comedienne reveals her most exciting experiences, as recorded in her diary through the years
By Una Merkel
Brushing up on the subject of my own past, recently, I came across a dog-eared volume of the first (and only) edition of the Diary of Una Merkel. It fairly teems with "hints on the model way to get into the movies." I hasten to explain that the term model is used to denote one who poses for photographers and artists. You see I posed for a living — and what a life that was ! Incidentally, "posing" was my idea of being an actress when I got my first few jobs in a film studio. How I did get there, and what happens to a HI' girl working for a living as a model, is told in these excerpts from the diary of my modeling days.
71 lrOVEMBER 10, 1933: Heard a picture supposed \ to be called "World's Shadows," starring 2_ \ Lillian Gish, was being made at Griffith's studio. I went down today and asked for a chance in it. 'Twas my first venture out into the "big city" world ! Well, a Mr. Jerome Storm saw me and, wonder of wonders, said I looked so much like Miss Gish that he would let me be her "understudy" in this picture. So, I have a job and everything on my first trip out !
December 9: D. W. Griffith has started another film. I flew into my clothes and set forth for the studio this A.M. As I write this I am tired, having worked all day. Don't know whether I was promoted or de-moted. Anyhow, I am an extra in this. A working extra has this advantage over a loafing star — she eats and enjoys life! I am happy to be working again after several days of doing just about nothing. Carol Dempster, Mae Marsh and Neil Hamilton are in this film and they all seem very nice. P.S. Neil is quite handsome and very, very polite !
December 10: O joy of joys, what perfect bliss ! D. W. has picked me out for a small part in his picture. That is something, isn't it? And won't I work hard to succeed! I certainly do admire Lillian Gish — she's grand! I never expect to be a great star like her or like anyone ; in fact, because I know I am not an actress in the true sense of the word. I just have to do things in my own way, because it seems natural to do them.
December 25: Merry Christmas, diary! "Same to
As told to Grace Simpson
Una, today, grins at the little girl she used to be, above; and recalls how she posed for hectic illustrations like this, left.
you, Una," did I hear you say ? Thanks ! Spent today with all the folks and received some extremely nice gifts from relatives, girl friends and a few — well, just a few — from boy friends! Saw an ad today about posing — maybe I'll be trying that one of these days, who knows?
January 1 : Greetings, New Year ! May you be a prosperous and kindly one to us all. Think I will start the new page with this thought — "If only I can give happiness to people and hurt no one — but I am sadly afraid I play at life, dodge issues and see what I want to see, not what really is."
January 2: Hurray! Landed a part today as Mrs. General Pickett in the Abraham Lincoln picture. Went to the studio hoping for the {Continued on page 74)