New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-17

popularity warrants and with it is itg cou.;,
cause-demanding role for which she is fttea
only by desire The final outcome in e;,h.-
case ls the same, and the screen is darker Tor
lighter by the loss of another luminary.
Vehicles have carried more than one paver
TO the gate of oblivion. vehicle is snnlv !.
story, but it is story for one particular nsx
son. Every actress is selected to pav - cer
tain type of character. This type is the ora
for which she is best fitted and which present.
her to the public most naturally and effec.
lively.
Once featured starred in certain rals
she will continue in that role All her picture.
will be built to order around that kind Of
character and on the strength or weakness of
her vehicle depends her success or failure.
Thus it was with a star who had won w;de
popularity through her light comedy roles
This, however, did not satisfy her and 50 she
decided TO show her skill in serious drama-o,
not instantly returned to the light comedy her
crown would have been lost forever. Both
types of vehicles are popular on the screen:
she was successful only in one
In seeking strong, popular story there is
another danger. There is a chance that thu
story will be too strong. 1t may be soaked in
81;
gestion in any event, it is apt to be overdone
and again the hook of destiny removes her
from the screen.
Age is another factor, and the most
dreaded. With passing years the conflict be.
tween cosmetics and Father, Time is frantically
waged. At least one actress a star in her
own right, has seen the advances of time and
has voluntarily taken to character acting
rather than have people say she was getting
too old for stardom.
Growing blase or sophisticated is some.
playing sweet sixteen roles. But this is not
given much attention because the art Of
camoufage has been so highly developed on
the screen and in the studio that it can be
almost overcome
1t is here the press agent plays an i'm
portant part If an actress gets disagreeable
notoriety, provided it is not too scandalous,
it is his business to present her case to he.
greatest advantage. He must paint her IN
glowing color and gain for her both interest
and support.
But should she become involved in matter
too sensational to bring her benefit, he IS re-
CURED not only to ignore it but to hush it up
She must be kept sweet, innocent and sixteen
Tor eighteen, as the case may be- in the eyes
Of the public. Any deviation from the above
is poor publicity and runous to the press
agent and to the star. Bad publicity, in fact,
is one of the simplest ways of leaving pictures
Among the more difficult routes to retire.
ment are those of scandal. Or let her ACQUIRE
too many husbands and the result is much
the same.
With all these openings it would seem the
acme of ease to exit from stardom grace
fully, completely and without disturbance
1t u.s. If a star is really determined to retire
nothing can stop her The difficulty is that
few want to leave.
In addition to the tremendous salaries the
excitement of seeing herself on the screen
and the myriad other reasons there is one
that is nearly universal. 1t is human to like
attention; the more the better The star
enjoys tributes to her beauty and personality
But to be paid handsomely while getting these
is it any wonder she guards
we'll her crown?