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32
Universal Weekly
January 2, 1926
THIS IS HOW THEY GOT THEIR START!
Noted Screen Beauties Began in Westerns
MUCH water has run under the bridge since some of our stars of today have reached their present positions of eminence in the screen world. It is a far cry from the days when they first entered motion pictures.
A most prolific source and the Alma Mater of a great many cinema luminaries is, strange to say, the lowly western. That branch of screen entertainment is responsible for the rise of any number of popular favorites, who today have almost forgotten their initial, tottering steps in their path up the ladder of movie fame.
Mary Philbin, the dainty star, who is noted for her dramatic and emotional portrayals which were first brought to the attention of the world via “Merry Go Round,’' made her first appearance on the silver sheet in “The Blazing Trail,” a Western, with Hoot Gibson. She also cos tar red with Jack Hoxie in “Where Is This West?”
Laura La Plante, unrivalled as a farceuse and comedienne, who became a star in “Sporting Youth,”
“The Teaser,” and other pictures, played opposite Hoot Gibson in hpr first movie venture.
A third case is Virginia V a 1 1 i of the wistful eyes and wonderful smile. Miss Valli is noted for her
sympathetic appeal and remarkable gift of mimicry as was so ably exemplified in “Siege” and “The Signal Tower.” Once more, the medium of the Western picture was the gateway to her present position of eminence.
Sweet Marian Nixon, who is remembered for her roles with Reginald Denny in “Where Was I?” and “I’ll Show You the Town,” and in Maurice Tourneur’s “Sporting Life,” broke into pictures in the habiliments of the cowgirl.
All four stars are together at Universal City. Their friendship is not confined to the lot, either, for whenever the exigencies of the picture business allows, they are seldom apart and no social event of importance in Hollywood is complete without this beautiful quartette.
Each of these popular stars is either now at work or soon to start on productions for the 1926-27 schedule. Mary Philbin, under Lois Weber’s direction, will appear in Charles Dickens’ beloved “Little Dorrit.” Laura La Plante is to play in Harry Pollard’s production, “Poker Faces.” Virginia Valli is working under Svend Gade’s direction in “Watch Your Wife.” Marian Nixon will soon start work on another vehicle at Universal City, one calculated to show her to best advantage.
Mary Philbin, the beautiful, Laura La Plante, the piquant, Marian Nixon, the adorable, and Virginia Valli, the charming, all started their celluloid careers toting guns.