New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
Venus Is In
The Ascendant

the films. She came TO New York
from Atlanta, fully resolved TO devote
the rest Of her life TO perfecting her
voice, and then one day, when she was
singing the SHADOW Song" from "Di-
norah." Captain Edwin Bower Hesser
saw her and bresthed a long sigh Of
relief; and now she is star In The
Triumph of Venus
Captain Hesser, who is both author
and producer Of THE Triumph Of
Venus" had gone just as far as he
could go with his new production with
out star.
Everything else was in readiness.
Actors had been fitted to all Of the
other parts. Assistant director and
camera men were lined up and waiting.
Locations had been decided on, and
still there was no Venus, and then
along came Betty.
Il happened like this; Betty is
what is known as a society entertain
er. which means that she has to en-
tertain society. Not always an easy
thing to do, for when you entertain
people in theatre you entertain peo-
pie who go there 10 be entertained, but
On this particular occasion Betty was
entertaining some people at the Ritz
Carlton. She talked her little talk and
sang her little song, and tSen Captain
Hesser came in and saw her. There
is my Venus" he cried Il have looked
at hundreds of young women, and at
last have found my Venus"
Now had it not been in the twentieth
century he would have given zone
touch 10 her hand and one word in her
ear" and then it might have been
written, $50 light to the croupe the
fair lady he swung, so light to the
saddle before her he sprung" But,
alas, it was in the Ritz-Carlton, so all
he could do was 70 request an intro
duction.
Miss Lee was very much surprised
when Captain Hesser made known his
wants. 81 am looking for Venus
he said. "and you are She"
"But," said "the fairest daughter Of
the South" 81 never have been in mo-
tion pictures and know nothing about
anything save concert work"
Finally, however. Miss Lee agreed to
be Venus if Captain Hesser would
agree TO take all the responsibility.
and so the picture was made and If
you think that little Miss Lee is not
an ardent movie fan you should talk 20
her and have that idea dissipated.
Il had fully intended to 20 in a new
Dippel production almost Immediately.
but now ] am so enthusiastic about the
pictures that shall stay right where
am.
captain Hesser is starting work i'm
mediately on another picture, but | am
not going to let 1t supplant my sing
ing entirely. My ambition is for grand
opera, and so am studying languages
as we'll az voice culture.
Il love the South, but there is no
chance there for girl with ambitions.
SO I left everything behind me and
came 20 New York to try if hard work
and an unnagging desire to succeed
added 20 little talent would not spell
success. and they have.
why. every one here has been splen-
did TO me and so cordial and helpful.
10 Is popular fsllsey that New York
ers are conservative and Indifferent"
And We thought Of the old nursery
rhyme, "What made the lamb love Mary
so? 'Ca1se Mary loved the lamb. Won
know" And who could help loving
Betty Leeg
Why, Captain Hesser told US himself
hat Miss Lee is always suggesting
elose-ups Of the mex, to the leading
lady and thinking up new business TO
keep the hero in front Of the camera
End any one who has worked with mo-
,ion picture stars knows that this is
not their usual attitude. As Miss Lee
said. "You get from the world what
you give 20 it,; or, in other words,
Nothing succeeds like reciprocity"
HU.