When the movies were young (1925)

78 When the Movies were Young think there is in them? Do you think they are going to last? What's in them for the actor? What do you think of my chances?" To all of which Mr. Griffith would reply: "Well, not much for the actor, if you're thinking of staying. The only thing is to become a director. I can't see that there's anything much for the actor as far as the future is concerned." Mr. Sennett had come to the movies via the chorus of musical comedy. It also was understood he had had a previous career as a trainer for lightweight boxers. If there was one person in the studio that never would be heard from — well, we figured that person would be Mack Sennett. He played policemen mostly — and what future for a movie policeman ? His other supernumerary part was a French dude. But he was very serious about his policeman and his French dude. From persistent study of Max Linder — the popular Pathe comique of this day — and adoption of his style of boulevardier dressing, spats, boutonniere, and cane, Mr. Sennett evolved a French type that for an Irishman wasn't so bad. But even so, to all of us, it seemed hopeless. Why did he take so much pains? He got by pretty well when any social flair was unnecessary ; when Mary Pickf ord and I played peasants, tenement ladies, and washwomen, Mack occasionally loved, honored, and cherished us in the guise of a laborer or peddler. He had a muscle-bound way about him in these serious roles — perhaps he was made self-conscious by the sudden prominence. But Mary and I never minded. The extra girls, however, made an awful fuss when they had to work in a comedy with Sennett, for he clowned so. They would rather not work than work with Sennett. How peeved