The Washington times., 1916-11-08
Method Used for Putting Three!
Year-0Id Star Through Her
PAGES.
WORKS WITH ENTHUSIASM
Little Mary Sunshine Does lust
What She Is Told, Without
Self CONSCIOUSNESS.

1t hao frequently been noted that
children. especially small children.
seem to act with less self-con-
sciousness and more abandon for
the motion pictures than on the
stage. Inquiry has been made as
70 why this Ia true. and there comes
. perfectly natural answer:
When acting for the screen the
enid acts In the presence OF people
with whom II Is well acquainted,
and has no embarrassment or con-
seriousness OF acting. In fact, the
children for motion pictures act just
az naturally as they would act In
play. because there Is no one look
ing ON who would make them self
conscious.
Just how the child works on the
screen Is shown In following one OF
them through a day at the studio.
Little Mary Sunshine, the three-year-
old child star OF the Pathe- Balboa
forces, offers typical example of
the way In which children are put
through their paces. Baby Mary's
working day Is from 9 until 1. with
an hour and a half off for an after
noon nap. The child works with
Henry King as director.
One day recently she arrived at the
studio in a very, great hurry.
Why She Hurried.
I'm hurry because you're Ave
minutes late?" questioned King, as
he carried her In his arms on to the
stage.
Yes" chirped the child. mustn't
be late"
While a motherly maid "made-up"
the diminutive star, Mr.. King. seated
beside her. went carefully over the
scene which was to open the days
work in this wise:
Mary, you're an orphan baby to-
day, same as you were yesterday.
and the bad old woman will put you
to bed with the other poor little or
phans. She's a cross. bad, old wom-
s snr and aran you So are terribly afraid of
II is was the stars comment,
showing that she had grasped the
action" so far.
And when she has put you to bed.
you'll make n face at her when she
you're not afraid of anybody. You're
not afraid Of anybody. are your"
continued King.
body"
Baby followed a little too closely
the instructions to make a face at
the bad old woman" and had to be
admonished in this wise: Not
quite so wicked. Baby"
The cameras clocked. Baby and
her tormentor pass through the
door and on to the set" Dragged
along by the hand. to the accom-
paniment OF perfect" squeals. Baby
reaches her cot. Is uncercmoniously
packed in and grimaces in good or
der as the dragon departs.
Mad for Keeps!
kiss me. Baby" whispers the
now penitent bad old woman"
bending over the star. when the
scene was over.
"You's out a my life. bad old
woman" comes the startling rejoin-
der. as, nose in air, Baby moves on
majestically to her next scene.
A small colored boy. black as the
proverbial ace, Is waiting in a bath
tub. King goes again into detail.
white, Baby is his brief instruc-
ton.
1T won't come of. Henry" she
declares.
wiz! 1ou replies ss. "He Wny,t King ling.
Equipped with a rubber brush and
much foam, she tries hard-and both
babies enjoy themselves thoroughly.
though now and again a hard dig
from brush brings a squeal from
the pickaninny-and all the while
the cameras are turning.
out" this from King, and Baby
stops. CLEAN OF triumph In her
eyes. and gazes at the soaking
black boy. She was right and
"Henny" was wrong.
Thine for by-by. Baby" a moth
erly maid warns the little star. and
without further comment. still
damp from her efforts to clear up
the stain on the Race of Ham, Baby
gets of to a dry nightie and a
doZe