Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-23
of IN
Why Great
of
DyftnaUkic
Fame Foil
Utterly in
the Movies
BY Leopold D. Wharton.
IF the Celebrated Wharton Motion Picture
Studios Where "The Mysteries of Myra"
Are Being Produced for the Intcrna-
tional Film Service.

~ nee upon a time the most allur-
I ing goal to romantic and ambi-
iious girls was Ito go on the
stage"-ror the stage meant admiration,
fame, popularity and money. To become
an actress, prima donna, or even a
member OF the chorus was the thrilling
aspiration of country girls and city girls.
Popular actresses were overwhelmed by
thousands of letters; the waiting rooms
OF managers were crowded with aspirants.
Some reached their goal but only after
long waiting. study, training and expert
ence. and their success was gagged &C.
cording TO their brains. Beauty without
brains did not go far toward the reali-
cation OF their Cinderella dreams.
'S' Times have changed and today youth
and beauty, often lacking the intellectual
qualities that have made q Mrs. Fiske,
may fly into fame on the wings Of dim
pies and golden hair. In fame, popu-
larity and money the profession has. so
far as the aspirations of most young
women go supplantnd the drama art and
music. y magnet that draws the pref
tiest and youngest, tho choicest pick Of
feminine lovcliness, the movies" appeals
to-day TO city girls and country girls.
school girls, factory girls. shop girls and
-!evnH- actresses and chorus girls them
selves, as even high drama never did.
The prcttiest girls no longer throng the.
atr1cal offices, hut so to the movie
studios. Celebrated actresses no longer
receive the greatest numbers of letters
from aspirants-these letters today go
by the thousands daily 10 the movie
stars. The movies are actually dcplct-
Ing the stage Of beauty; they draw pretty
elrls IRON country homes and Jobs in de-
partment stores; they fire the minds Of
school girls with ambition. Why?
The movies offer more in shorter
time, 10 girl who has not had intellect
ual opportunities. than the stage offered
For the first time in history a profession
has opened TO beauty as it is photograph
ed. Features, profile, complexion, eyes and
hair are worth more TO the movie pro-
Queer than even these assets plus brains
were formerly worth TO the theatrical pro-
Queer. \ girl who can not quote Ibscn
and Browning, provided she has good
looks, may be able TO earn $500 a week
In the movies. 4 girl possessing all the
dramatic qualities Of feeling and express
sion. but TO whom stardom on the stage
Is denied because OF her diminutive
stature or squeaking voice, may he able
to earn $4,000 a year acting for the
cinema y shop girl. earning 81 n week
and. who knows nothing about Shakes
peare. may-on her supcrlative looks
in year achieve a salary equaling that
OF the presidents of a half dozen railroads
Brains are not basically required for
stardom in the movies. You can't SEQ
brains, but You can see the face In
stead of going through the years of study
and training required for success in the
drama or opera, merely pretty girl may
leap into fame in the movies and earn n
princely salary in week or month.
Education, in this profession. is abso.
lutely nil as factor a girl who is
unable so speak English correctly can
play the part OF a grand lady on the
screen; a girl whose brains are like the
grain of mustard seed rafting in its
shell may successfully act the role OF q
romantic heroine: a girl who never read
line OF poetry in her life and INQUIRIES
Who's that guy when Edgar Allen Poe's
name is mentioned, may prove a power.
full vampire queen.
Youth and sheer prettiness, In the pro.