The Washington times., 1916-05-07
WaIthaIl In Birth Of Nation De-
finitely DispeIs Dread Of
Actor Folk.
FAME CROWNS HIS EFFORTS
First Dug Ditch as Italian
Laborer-Climaxed Work as
Little Colonel" \


are willing to state that man short
in stature can so visualize their idea
of q hero that they lose all sense Of
height values except as they relate to
the artistry OF perfect performance.
The eternal question of the theater
whether q short man can be a hero-a
question that has kept some wonderful
actors and still more wonderful
singers OF the stage in times past-has
been definitely settled by Henry b.
, Walthall-the young man whom critics
all the actors in motion pictures. long
before Walthall became famous as the
little colonel" Of THE Birth Of the
Nation"
For more than five years It has been
difficult for even the most blase critic of
the drama-and this includes dramatics
with the most highbrow tendencies-to
discuss The work of Henry Walthan In
motion picture productions soberly.
a young man, a student. and such q
consummate artist. they all considered
him far beyond the average OF motion
picture stars, and critics feared they
would be accused OF extravagance In
placing on paper their estimates OF this
young mans work.
In Boston, In New York. in news
papers and magazines devoted to dis
cussion of the dramatic from purely
literary or artistic viewpoints. Wal
most careful consideration and the high
est praise.
Climax of Fame.
It f. through 1.-THE Birth Of the Ma
ton" that waithali's work has become
known to those theatergoers who are
not familiar with other motion pictures.
He has made the most decided impress
sion on them and many inquiries are
ha and ~ dra-
matte editor of The Times as to just
who he is
walthall is an actor with a consider
able stage experience behind him. While
he has never lived In Washington. many
intimate friends of the late United
States Senator Walthan of Mississippi,
will remember him as a very small boy
visiting his uncle, Senator Walthall. dur
ing the latter's last term OF office.
The actor branch OF the Walthall
family lived in birmingham. Ala. where
Henry B. was born. He was graduated
from the high schools of his city and
was completing a college course when
war with Spain was declared. He I'M
mediately entered the volunteers and
served throughout the war. although he
did not get nearer to the front than
Tampa. Fla.
Waithail always had been interested in
the stage and in the drama as an art.
He had taken part in theatricals at
school and at college, and decided to 30
on the stage after the war.
He went to New York from the place
of his discharge and began at the bot
tom as an extra man with a stock COM
pany. The fact that he was a real art
director, but his small stature was
against his being selected for very i'm
As a Juvenile and especially in the
parts Of very young men. Walthali
made a reputation among theatrical
folk that led to his being given I'M
portant parts in important productions
Aided by Henry Miller.
Henry Miller is credited with giv-
ing walthall his best chance on the
stage, and 1t was while supporting
Miller in "The Great Divide" that
walthalrs attention was turned 10
He was in New York at the time.
and was persuaded by friend who
was then playing in motion picture!
to go to the old Biograph studio and
David w. Griffith saw the quiet, re-
served young man watching the pro-
duction of the play with much more
and asking questions about the
methods adopted that showed his in
Griffith and walthaiI discussed the
lures in the drama. The discussion
became 20 interesting to both men
that Griffith finally persuaded Walt
hall to try the pictures. simply as an
could be done The men recognized In
each other the big vision and broad
outlook on the art in. which they
were both SO deeply interested crested nm.
laborer. In those days It was not
easy to get people to agree to let
motion picture actors torn utilize ,t their
plays as II is now.
Griffith wanted to produce this pic
ture with as much realism as possible.
tractor who had undertaken to dig a
trench. to dig part OF the trench for
tographer to use IL for fllm play.
was put to work digging in the
trench. The scene was to be a short
one. but Griffith kept him at IL. When
his back seemed about to break and
big blisters appeared on both hands.
Walthall asked Griffith IL he hadn't
almost enough Aim.
Had to Make Good.
ct got all the film wanted an hour
ago." the director replied, but I
promised the contractor you'd. dig
about a yard more OF trench for him
than you've done. so please hurry up
and finish IT,"
The Italian laborer flashed on the
screen was the best piece OF dramatic
work that had been done up to that
time either by Griffith or by walthall.
The artistry OF the real actor came
out on the screen as II had not been
ablo to show on the stage. II con-
WINGED Walthall and griffith that each
had found something real.
Since then Walthall has been con-
tinuously in picture work. He was one
of Mary Pickford's leading men; he
played opposite Dorothy Bernard. Flor
ence Lawrence. Florence Turner, and
went with Griffith to the Reliance
Company, where he and Griffith pro-
duced what they had both long want
ed to do-a series OF plays based on
When the cast for "The Birth OF a
Nation" was made up nobody but
Walthail was considered for the part
OF Col. Ben Cameron. In that part ho
has accomplished more for the acting
art in motion pictures than anyone has
ever done.
The triumph of the great spectacle
Is considered a Joint victory for Grit.
nth and Walthall and with dramatic
critics and students OF the drama his
work In this one part-to say NOTHING
OF others ne has enacted-will give him
n permanent place in the hall Ut fame