Show how I 1 broke into the movies coper ight by hal C mian by BILLIE DOVE MATE aur theatricals physical culture AMATEUR and dancing were the avenues by which I 1 reached the screen I 1 was born in new york whore where I 1 was educated in one of the schools I 1 attended physical culture was taught religiously rind and I 1 became very proficient fi fici ent partly because I 1 enjoyed the exercises from this it was an easy step to dan dancing vIng then it was discovered that I 1 screened well that means in movie parlance that one has a face that re registers favorably before the camera not always la Is this the case and sometimes a very beautiful face will not photograph satisfactorily it seems to be something for which there Is no rea real I 1 er explanation you either screen well or you dont I 1 was fortunate I 1 studied and tool took part in amateur theatricals in my high school days it took me just four and a half years however to reach any eminence in the films my first role was with constance talmadge in polly of the follies to lols lois weber I 1 owe much of my success in attaining what we tire are pleased to term stardom my greatest chances came with two of her films the sensation seekers and the marriage clause then I 1 had a marvelous opportunity when I 1 played the feminine lead with douglas fairbanks in the black pirate the lone wolf returns gave me another opportunity and finally came my contract with first national pictures at first I 1 was featured later came stardom the initial picture under this contract was an affair of the follies then came the tender hour and with the stolen bride I 1 was starred I 1 have since made american beauty and the love M billie dove mart the latter is a george fitzmaurice production and a beautiful 6 tory story of old new orleans more alore recently I 1 starred in the night watch yellow lily adoration and such talking picture as careers and her private life what shall I 1 say to the thousands of girls who seek a career in ili pictures must it be dont I 1 hate bate to say that in a way because I 1 hate to discourage ambition and yet as I 1 look back over even my brief career think of the innumerable disappointments the difficult work the innumerable problems I 1 wonder if I 1 would be justified to in advising anyone to try it of course I 1 have been treated with consideration by the producers directors and associate players I 1 have no complaints to offer in that respect it is merely that the work is exa exacting acting and that the competition is very keen heen all ones fortitude and courage rare are needed in the long months and years that must precede any sort of success and then of course not many do succeed I 1 dont put that down to any wonderful talent or other qualification on my part I 1 think it is mainly hard work and the fact that I 1 did screen well the compensations are groat great I 1 am very happy now but I 1 loo might have failed and turned to other walks of life disillusioned and discouraged its a good deal a matter of fate I 1 expect anyway I 1 am grateful exceedingly cee grateful to all who nho have he helped aped me on the road service |