The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1916-08-17
HOW I BECAME A STAR.
(By Beverly Bayne)

and conscientious endeavor that |
have achieved some success in this
fascinating profession Even when
l was in high school, in Chicago,
where my folks moved, when | was a
little girl from Minneapolis, I did not
have the desire that so many girls
have. to go on the stage or in motion
pictures.
II is true appeared in several am
ateur theatricals at school, but no
one said anything in particular about
my performance. I mention this to
emphasize my state OF mind at that
time. My ambition was to become a
fine singer, not professionally, put
for my own amusement. I had a
fairly good voice, and ! always loved
music.
After completing my studies in the
Hyde Park high school I went TO
Philadelphia to a finishing school. l
had only been there one season, when
I returned to my home for my sum
mer vacation. Together with a group
OF girl companions, went one day,
to the Essanay studio. to see how mo-
ton pictures we're made. Il was Just
lark on my part, although ! recall
now that several OF my girl friends
we're anxious to see their favorites OF
the screen In the flesh. | had not
seen many motion pictures, and I
was not particularly interested In
them at the time.
We were shown around the studio
by the general manager and he ar
ranged several chairs outside set
where a company OF players were at
work. was both amused and inter
ested In the players work, but even
then did not have any desire TO see
myself on the screen. was surprised
when several OF the girls declared
they would like to act before the
camera.
When we we're leaving the studio,
one OF the directors. to whom we had
been introduced. asked me II would
like to appear In pictures. | told him
I did not think 80. lie 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
r.d OF them without giving offence.
lie asked me second time, II |
would not reconsider his offer. told
him the idea was preposterous. as |
was not interested enough myself
and | knew my folks would not cop-
slider II for moment.
However, he persisted In writing
down my address and telephone num-
ber. which | reluctantly gave him,
on the advice OF the other girls. who
said II was "a lot OF fun" The fol-
/ lowing day | was astonished, when
he called me on the telephone and
asked n | could not call at the studio,
and at least appear In one picture.
Again | told him Il was impossible,
He called again the following day.
My mother was out, but my aunt was
there. She was perplexed about the
mysterious conversation she over
heard. and told her OF the situation.
My girl friends had been calling
me too. asking II had heard from
the director, and II was going in
pictures. All OF them said he would
be "just grand" and they advised me
to make one trial. BY this time
must confess l was becoming inter
ested. l had been 10 see several
good pictures with my aunt. She was
especially fond of them. Al length,
she told me If | cared to appear in
one picture she would try and ar
range matters with my parents, and
would agree to accompany me TO the
studio and remain with me while
was at work.
Arrangements were finally con-
summated, and | called up the direct
or and told him would be there the
next day He induced me to come
over that very afternoon, which | did
We were both surprised when the
director told me l was TO have the
leading role. 1t was a two reel fea-
ture. with a story dealing with the
evils of the loan sharks, who were
thriving in Chicago at that time. The
newspapers were making a 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. 1t il
needless to say that was fascinated
with the work from the very start
And when saw the picture run off
in the studio for the first time | ex'
1 -.