Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-12-30
Virginia Sees the Inside
3 Zz1zzlZa0 ara b14mafEe SforY

Virginia Sees the Inside
II was the first time that had
seen and heard the handling OIL
a scene by a great director. Up
to-date l had been SO taken upl
with my own little work and the
personal affairs of Ria that | had
had really no time to watch those
who had the important parts in
the picture.
Tommy came around to me and
whispered: "Virgie, watch Ruth
Drayton. Technically, she is all
there. She understands immed-
lately what is wanted of her when
the boss issues an order"
Now, Miss Drayton,' came in
crisp tones from the director, you
are supposed to come into this
darkened room, turn on the light,
and find a man busy with the will
safe behind your toilet table. He
wheels quickly and points gun
at you. Something about his car
riage is familiar to you. Notwith-
standing the gun pointed straight
at your heart, you walk forward
and jerk the silk handkerchief,
which has been tied across his
face below his eyes.
HE says: MY God! can't shoot
you'll And you look in conster-
nation into the eyes of Stanford
Shelly, who has been making fur
ious love to you not ten minutes
before in the ballroom above.
"You ask him why he is doing
this. He tells you that he must
have money to get out of the clut-
ches of the law.
"You upbraid him for having
asked you in the ballroom to run
away with him.
"He tells you that he loves you
and cannot live without you.
"Just then you hear some one
coming. He starts to take the bills
from the safe which is open, and
flee.
"You grab his arm. You snatch
the pearls from your neck, the
rings from your fingers and the
jewels from your ears. In doing
this you will tear one of your ears
and blood will run down your
neck. aG
He starts forward in pity at
your hurt. HE
"You thrust the jewels in his
hand as he comes near and say;
Got Then you scream and fall on
the floor.
Where is Mordaunt? My God,
Tommy, can't you keep him on the
set? Come on, Mordaunt. Let's go.
You heard the scene. No? Well
anyway, it follows your script. I'll
cue you.
I'VE will have one rehearsal for
this long shot.
place, Mordaunt. Tommy, fix
that handkerchief on his face.
Now then, you are listening to the
click of the tumblers of that lock.
Get your ear near it. Then you
nod your head as you hear it click
into place.
Enter, Vera. Ye gods! Walk,
girl, walk!" he shouted. "You
don't know he's there. You're all
happy as any girl would be just
after receiving a proposal of mar
riage and contemplating an elope.
ment.
"Try it again.
"Once more.
That's better. Now turn on the
light. You see the burglar. You're
surprised, you're frightened. Nor.
daunt, quick with your gun. Come
on, Vera, give me something. DON
stand there like ninny. You're
not at an afternoon tea. GOOD
Lord! Somebody said you coult
, act.
!, "You think the burglar is ia
miliar. Let your eyes travel from
his head to his feet and bacl
, again.
"Mordaunt, cringe little. Wha
) are you standing still for? Ism
, your gray matter working thi
morning? Is everything abov'
: your collar asleep?
Vera, move slowly forward
/ eyes directly on his eyes abov
that handkerchief. Don't look a
, the gun. Don't look cross eyed
Slower!
r "Mordaunt, don't lower you
8 gun.
keep it trained on her.
/. "Vera, stand in front of Nor
. daunt. Look up into his eyes. Her
| ror overspreading your face.
"Quick now, Vera, jerk tina
handkerchief!
t "Mordaunt, drop that gun. Civ
: your title. My God, / can't shoe
: you!
4 "All right, cut.
$ 81 thought she did very well,
l whispered to Jack Thompson.