The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-08-10
"MOVIEDOM"
HOW BECAME A STAR

(By Beverly Bayne, Famous Metro
Starr
1t was by the sheerest sort Of an
accident that l ever went into motion
pictures. But 1t was only by earnest
and conscientious endeavor hat l
have achieved some success in this
fascinating profession. Even when |
was in high school, in Chicago, where
my folks moved, when l was q little
girl from Minneapolis, l did not have
the desire that so many girls have,
to go on the stage or in motion pic
lures.
After completing my studies in the
Hyde Park high school | went to
Philadelphia to a finishing school. /
had only been there one season, when
/ returned to my home for my summer
vacation. Together with a group of
girl companions, l went one day, to
the Essanay studio, to see how mo-
ton pictures were made. 1t was just
a lark on my part, although l recall
now that several of my girl friends
were anxious to see their favorites of
the screen in the flesh. l had not
seen many motion pictures, and l
was not particularly interested in them
at the time.
When we were leaving the studio,
one Of the directors, to whom we had
been introduced, asked me IL l would
like to appear in pictures. l told him
/ did not think so. He said he could
not understand this, as most of the
girls he had met were extremely anx-
ious to get into the work. In fact, he
said his greatest problem was getting
rid of them without giving offense. He
asked me a second time, IL l would
not reconsider his offer. l told him
the idea was preposterous, as | was
not interested enough myself, and I
knew my folks would not consider it
for a moment.
However. he persisted in writing
down my address and telephone num-
Der, which reluctantly gave him, on
the advice of the other girls, who said
II was "a lot of fun" The following
day l was astonished. when he called
me on the telephone and asked If l
could not call at the studio, and at
least appear in n picture. Again /
told him it was impossible. He called
again the following day. Ny mother
Vas out, but my aunt was there. She
was perplexed about the mysterious
conversation she overheard, and I
told her of the situation.
Arrangements were finally consum-
mated. and / called up the director and
told him ! would be there the next
day. He induced me to come over that
very afternoon, which I did. We were
both surprised when the director told
ne ! was to have the leading role. Ii
was q two reel feature, with a story
dealing with the evils Of the loan
sharks, who were thriving in Chicago
at that time. The newspapers were
making Q campaign against the sharks
and the picture was the outcome OF
this agitation.
SO, really starred in the very first
picture In which l appeared. Il is
needless to say that I was fascinated
with the work from the very start.
And when ] saw the picture run on
In the studio for the frst time I ex-
pertenced the greatest thrill of my
life. After that ! was starred by the
Egsanay company. Altogether, I have
appeared In more than I'VE hundred
pictures. II there was no other rea-
son. ! would feel amply repaid for my
hard work, In the thousands OF, letters
! Have received from friends 1 have
made ~ over the world. It II Z Joy
that cannot be expressed In mere
words-
Francis X. Bushman soo became
TIE most popular star on the screen
and the DGDanAy company arranged
TOR " 70 appear to9ether. II proved
! happy oombtnattpn. from many
1tsn6p6(nts. ~ both q - sfsel that We