When the movies were young (1925)

160 When the Movies were Young our wealthy gentleman sojourning in his winter mansion an utter rake, a miserable specimen of the middle-aged debauchee who treated cruelly a long-suffering wife. But the little poor families were such models of all the virtues, they hadn't missed one; and their days were full of happiness. The hostess of this charming home with some friends watched our performances. There was no limit to their hospitality. They brought out tables and a tea-service and they loaned us their "bestest" butler — there was a lawn party in the story. When the picture was finished, Mr. Griffith invited the owner and his family and their friends to the studio to see the picture. The projection over, we noticed a strange lack of enthusiasm; and then Monsieur took Mr. Griffith aside and asked him if it would be absolutely necessary for him to release the picture. "Really," said the gentleman, "we are a very happy family, my wife and I and the children, we like each other a lot. All my friends have been told about the picture and they'll watch for it — and I just don't like it, that's all. You know a person can have money and still be a respectable citizen in the community." And that was that. But we learned something. And here comes little Jack Pickford in his first leading part, a comedy directed by Frank Powell, and called "The Kid." It was full of impish pranks of the small boy who does not want his lonely daddy to bring him home a new mama, but he comes across in time and soon is all for her. Two more pictures, "The Converts," and "The Way of the World," finished us at San Gabriel. Both were Christian preachments, having repentant Magdalenes as heroines,