Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-15
STENOCRAPHER
USED IN LENS TEST
GETS MOVIE JOB


w girl of eighteen. Travelled the sub
way from her home in Brooklyn to the
Lasky motion picture studio. in Long
Island. TO seek work as a stenographer
a clerk or in whatever position she
might fit, little did she think of a
career. Her only thought was work
and weekly pay envelope that would
be sufficient for her living expenses.
Today. after six months experience
in the studio. she has risen from con-
tiuuity clerk to movie actress. She has
put aside the tell-tale pencil and ste
nographcr's pad and is now Interpreting
the part of Intoxication in George
Fitzmaurice's production OF Expert
ence. the we'll known stage play from
the pen of George V. Hobart.
THE story of Helen Ray is one Of
i those tales that il stranger than
fiction. She was Cataputed into fame
and fortune. perhaps, just as all girls
at the age of eighteen hone to be. For
tune smiled on her and when the oppor-
tunity knocked she was not found
wanting. She had latent talent for act
ing and the camera-a mcrCiless critic
was kind to her. If cameras cnn' be
kind. She screened we'll. as they say
in the movie studios. and today she is
on her way TO a place among film aC.
tresses. place envied by millions Of
girls and young women.
A new lens for mot ton pic
t,ire camera brought Miss Ray her
chance. She was busy as usual. one
day. checking the action OF picture.
under the direction Of Hugh Ford. as
q
Ia film. and writing long daily reports
Shooting was finished. George Fol-
sey. Mr.. Fords cameraman AZ the time.
ssid:
Helen. put a little makeup on your
face and come over here in the corner
while ! try out a new lens for my
camera
Helen did az she was asked and SOW
eral hundred feet of film were run off
Then she went back to her tvping and
business OF being n continuity clerk
one of those drab studio positions that
holds little glory but lot Of hard work
for those who fill them.
TINE test was run in the projection
i room before laboratory experts aud
the lens was found TO be an excellent
one. The film was clear and distinct.
Where did you get the girl:' was
the only question that was shot at
Folsey when the lights of the projection
room were switched on. She's
wonder.
And all the time little Miss Ray was
tipping. But the fame Of her eyes Of
m0onstone hue. a smile that liberated
. dimple and hair of about the shade
of butterscotch candy spread in the
studio.
Then few weeks ago Edward Dill
lon looked around for cast for n
Realsrt picture starring Justine John
stone. The script dema nded one other
important feminine role. Some one
showed Mr.. Dillon the test of Helen
Ray.
Just the type" Dillon decided. and
3 Helen Ray was given the part of
Adele in sheltered Daughters.
She was given dressing room just
like the other movie actresses. yet she
clung 10 her work as continuity clerk
end did both kinds of work for q short
period,
Her work in the picture attracted the
attention Of George Fitzmauricc and
he chose h"r to play the part of In
toxication in Experience.
"TT ALI. seems like dream mused
L little Miss Ray. II had returned
home from the hospital and wanted to
do some work. Some one told me of
The Lasky studio. 10 | decided 70 try
my luck. succeeded in getting on and
now look at me.
AT first my mother did not want me
To do il. but | have three brothers and
they are modern-mother. YOU know,
still holds some old fashioned ideas
They persuaded her that it was all
right. so | started.
IF ] don't get more parts I'll go
hack to continuity work Strange as
" may seem. | am not struck with the
movies. They told me that | could do
1t. so ! am doing the best I can. But l
do not intend TO he idle and tramp
around from studio 10 studio looking for
work in pictures. I'll just work on here
and when parts come un that | can play
] will do them if given the oPpor-
tunity"
In "ExpeHenco' Miss Ray has
shared scenes with Richard BarrheI-
mess, who is playing the leading role Of
Youth and with such other Broad
way favoritcs as Lilyan Tashman. Nita
Nsldi. John Milturn, +. J. Radcliffe