The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-02-06
SEATTLE GIRLS PAY S.
TO Be MOVIE Stars;
REHEARSE love Scene

Several hundred Seattle
boys and girls have paid
IS apiece for a chance to
demonstrate that they are
embyro Charlie Chaplins
and Mary Pickfords.
The Studio" of the Oc-
cidental Custom Film Co.,
Seattle's first film "produc-
ing" corporation, is one of
the busiest young industries
in town. II is there these
young people are rehears-
ing.
IL was about two weeks acc
that an sd appeared In one Of
the Seattle papers for "f2 bru-
nettes. 10 blondes and 27 nnedi-
um types Of good figure and
profile"
No less than 500 Seattle
girls poured into the office Of
A. J. speckert. the company's
attorney. In response. accord
Ing TO the officials. The eie-
vstor man counted 1000.
Names and addresses were list.
ed and applicants instructed to ap-
pear at the studio. on the third
floor OF the Liberty theatre build.
ing or at the offices, 1l10 Hoge
building.
They were told that positions in
the troupes were to be given TO
stockholders. Five dollars was the
consideration necessary for becom-
ing one. A whole lot OF them
bought shares. Gorgeous certifi-
Gates were issued. and the holders
thereof told to report to the d.
rector.
Belaseo 10 Director
In the brief annals OF this COM
pany there have been several shake
ups. President l.. d. Mcdonald
still remains as president, but
there is a new production manager
and other department heads and
officers.
The new o. m. 10 MR.. 6ELASco,
recently Of California. His relation
ship 70 David. Of some fame a. Z
theatrical producer. has not been
disclosed.
The studio is a long loft running
across the front OF the Liberty the
atre building. bare and unfurnish-
ed save for a few pieces In one
corner. At either end are partf-
toned off spaces. dressing rooms.
II Is explained. for men and wom-
en-, respectively. The company has
no connection with the owners OF
the Liberty theatre.
Belasco = Busy Boy
This studio has been a bee hive
OF cinematogrsphic activity. Busy
young would-be actors and ac-
tresses are coming and going In 4
stream, and Mr.. Belssco has had
almost as much TO do as the kais-
er's chief mobilizer.
He has been forming companies.
There are Company 2. Company 5a,
Company 5b. Company 6 and many
others. Company /. II Is explained.
is not yet formed: IL is reserved
for the cream OF all the Occident.
ais talent.
However. quite number OF
young women admitted to a Star
man that Mr.. Belasco or one OF his
predecessors had confided TO them
that they were slated for the honor.
Some OF them he told to report
to Company 4" which he inform
ed them was to be Company l sub
rosa until the time came for dis
closing the truth.
Rehearsals Now On
The secrecy was resorted to.
they were told. so as not to dis
hearten the less fortunate. And
girls like secrets anyway.
Rehearsals began this week.
One of the pieces was comedy
centering about the activities OF a
marriage bureau. Another dealt
with n situation in which a girl was
disguised as a boy.
Several were very romantic
plays. The girls said they
found the Iove-making scenes
highly embarrassing on the
first trial or two. but they soon
became proficient and at ease.
With the advent OF Belasco
Thursday. rehearsals were inter-
rupted and the program changed.
Many alterations were announced
in the lineup OF the casts. Next