The Washington times., 1915-01-14
PHOTOPLAYS AND
PHOTOPLAYERS
Rx
HdroldLOckWoodO One
OF Actor Types
Screen Play
Develops.
By GARDNER MACK

One Of the curious developments of
the motion pictures has been the
bringing out of several capable ac-
tors and actresses who were never
known before the pictures became
no important a feature Of the daily
5fe Of the average citizen and his
wife. Some of these people were
without stage experience of any kind
and some of them were graduates
Of the stage. although many of them
had occupied the most humble places
In the legitimate branch of the
orama. Within the short time that
the picture play has been attracting
attention, however. these people have
become popular in way that few
dramatic stars achieve after years
or effort. The newness of the pic
lures had something to do with the
launching Of a number of them on
the sea of fame-but the newness
could not keep those without ability
there. The few that have survived
have impressed themselves as very
few dramatic stars and are probably
seen by more people than even the
greatest of the stars Of the stage:
The career of Harold Lockwood OF
the Famous Players Is a case IN
point. Lockwood Is one OF the big
leading men Of the photoplay at pres
ent and yet four years ago he was
practically unknown. According to
Miss Edna Wright. who has been our
Investigator In several of these mat
ters, Lockwood was born III BROOK
lyn not SO much more than twenty
years ago. 1t was on the Jersey
side'' that he received his schooling,
but he is not bashful when confess
ing that he neglected the three 'R g.
for athletics, Harold was always
captain of his school teams, whether
,l,,,,,, ,tv,,y
jumping. and although at the time 1t
appeared as If he were wasting time
and energy, it has later developed
that he was not. Athletics have
proven a valuable asset in making
Harold Lockwood the tall. strong
A quarter of an inch Of six feet,
while his ruddy compexion is the
envy of many of his associates.
He always had but one ambition
the stage. Hours away from school
were spent in or around the the
aters. His parents strongly object
cd to their son entering the pro-
.fession, so he was put to work with
his father. who was engaged in
training trotting horses. He was
very fond of horses, and rather en-
ioyed the excitement that neces-
Sarily went with racing them. How
ever nothing could dispel his long
ing for the footlights, so after
time he persuaded one of the stage
managers to allow him to appear in
tho chorus of an obscure musical
comedy company. This was enough
for ambitious Harold, and in short
time he sang and danced his way
into public favor. receiving the
large sum of $l5 a week for hts
services. He was not long in OK
comedy, and. his mind made up to
tr; drama, he Joined a stock COM
nany, and with eneSgy and Lersc-
Vcrance soon reached the top OF the
ladder. Trying a little vaudeville.
he toured for some time in Me
phisto'. with f. w, Hoyt, after
which the pictures claimed him.
Lockwood made his debut into
he photoplay under the direc-
tom of t. s. Porter, then To-
Gated with the Nestor company, who
was instrumental in getting him into
Is. After leaving the Nestor COM
pany. he filed engagements with
the New York Motion Picture Com
pany, Kay Bee. Broncho. and Selig
companies. While LOCATED with the
sclig. he played leads opposite
strongest productions. and 1t was
after having been under their ban
'ner for two years that he became
"A member of the company where he
is now situated. Mr.. Porter was at
tho time searching for a suitable
man to play leads o\osite Mary
Pickford, and he selected Mr.. Lock-
wood from among a group Of other
applicants. His first picture waa
"Hnarts A6rift" So successful was
This production that be was cast on
rosita Miss Pickford again. this time
IN Tess of the Storm Country.
only recently Mr.. Lockwood has
4dded several more leaves to his AL
ready we'll filed laurel wreath. for
his work in 1.-The Straight Road.
.'Thc Wildfower." "The Crucible."
and "The County Chairman has
won much commendation from the
public. ..,
lie T. y likely looking chap. with
: generous supply of never falling
good nature. which added to his
histrionic ability. has aided him in
rcaching the height Of success. The
next picture in which the public
will have an opportunity to see
Lakewood. now nearing completion
at the Famous Players studio. Is
Are You Mason"' In this play
he shares the honors with John
barrymore.