Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-09-16

possibilities of the motion pictures
and concluded to locate in the Golden
State, naturally selecting the Selig
Polyscope Company as the most de-
sirable association.
1t is not only good looks that count
for success in motion picture work,
one must have physical endurance. .
capacity for the hardest kind Of Ia
Dor, and q willingness to follow the
mandates OF the Director. No matter
how long an experience one may have
had in dramatic work, no matter how
versatile the artist may be. the d.
rector's word in motion picture pro
duction is law.
l remember one versatile actor In
the cast of 1.-THE Circular Staircase"
released in five acts az selig Red
Seal Play. This actor has had many
years of experience in the spoken
drama. He came to the screen with
knowledge Of his experience and with
knowledge Of his own importance.
He was not inclined to observe the
orders Of the Director. The Director
selects the types. he selects the cos
tunes to be worn, he orders the en-
frances and the exits, and little 10 left
to the artist. This particular actor
could not understand this procedure.
He had been accustomed to having his
own way on the stage and there was
many tilt before he could appreciate
that movie action must be done az
the Director orders, for tho Director
of Motion Picture production IL all
responsible and all supreme.
I was delighted to be assigned the
character lead az aunt Ray Innis" In
Mary Roberts Rinehart's great mystery
story, "The Circular Staircase" felt
that was fitted to such q part. Az you
will probably remember, Aunt Ray"
leases a bankers home. She IL q
woman with the courage Of her own
convictions, and when warned to
remain away from the summer house
she is more resolved to remain right
there.
Aunt Ray" and her servant are
aroused at 3 q. m. by the sound Of 2
revolver shot. They venture forth,
find the men folks have disappeared,
and Aunt Ray" is Mortified to dis
cover q lifeless body huddled In the
dark shadows at the foot Of the circu.
lar staircase from which the five-part
production takes its name. The &C.
ton starts right then and there and
is never finished until the final scene
where the lovers are reunited.
There is q scene in which am
supposed to do battle with mystic
rious stranger In q secret room which
/ have discovered by means Of tape
measure. There Is nothing SUPPOSE
tious about this conflict, either.
Put the pepper into this fight" or
dered the Director. When It was I'm
ished the unfortunate actor in the
struggle had his shirt partially torn
from his back. To all intents and
purposes 1t was q real fight. and the
actor had difficulty in escaping my
clutches and springing to the circu-
lar staircase. Then to top 1t all of,
the unfortunate individual had to
plunge headfirst down the staircase
to his supposed death, and he GER
tainly had earned his money after the
days work was concluded.
/ think ] have put my very best art
into the character of Aunt Ray
1nnes" in the Selig Red Seal Play,
THE Circular Staircase have al
ways been q great admirer Of Mrs.
Rinehart's writings, and there is
every opportunity to put forth ones
best endeavors in this story.
A majority of the artists say that
motion picture acting is the hardest
kind of work. never deemed 1t 30.
I try to forget myself in my part,
throw my entire personality into tho
roles create and love the work.
However, it is an art that cannot
be acquired by any school other
than the school Of long experience.
Actors Of years Of experience on the
stage are the more successful because
they have a foundation upon which to
work.