, 1921-08-13

0NCE upon n time the very eneF-
~ getic. s~elf-conhdent representa-
tive OF one of the mot impor-
tant film companies in America told
his chief in New York h a he was
positive he could induce Mary Pick
ford 10 sign a long-term contract and
make pictures for his concern.
At that time. It was about three
years ago. Miss Plckford was Just
finishing her contract with Famous
Piayers-and as a box ONCE attrac-
ton had established herself at the
very top OF the heap. To get her sig
nature to such = contract would be
IN itsalf n certainty OF tremendous
profits.
Wherefore the film magnate de-
spatched his representative ecross
the continent.
For three months the very ener-
getic. resourcetul gentleman tried his
best to arrange an interview with
Miss pieEford-in vain.
Meantime his expense account was
giving his chief in New York no little
concern. ut might be added. paren-
~theticalky. that when 1t comes TO the
fine art OF divorcing visitors from
their available cash, Monte Carlo
runs a bad second to Los Angeles.)
Finally telegrapnic advices reached
The employee hat IL he didn't pro-
duce results within "a hours he
could consider his 9o-day vacation
permanent-without salary thence
forth.
Thus stimulated. the would-be sig
nature producer managed to obtain
Miss Pickford's consent to receive
him. At the meeting which took
place that evening at the Pickford
home were present. besides the two
principals, Douglas Fairbanks and an
old friend of the Pickford family.
Mary Refuses Million
After the usual preliminary fenc-
ing the representative of the big film
concern finally made his maximum
oner-s1.ooo,o 900 for SO weeks of
Miss Pickford's's services. $4,000
q week.
And Miss Pickford refused It!
Incidentally. she refused IT because
Fairbanks advised her to do SO.
And the aim concerns reprenesta-
tive found himself but OF a job.
The reason Miss Pickford refused
TO consider the offer wa simple. BY
making pictures on her own account
she could earn profits considerably In
excess of 100000 a rear. As a
matter Of statistics the average Pick
ford release, as they call It in the
trade. earns a gross sum in excess OF
$4,000. Seldom. II ever. does a Pick
ford picture cost as much as $780,
600 to film Ergo. two and one-half
,pict7res would net Miss Pickford
$1.oooOo9- She can make eight
pictures in a yea II she wishes to
do SO.
At least three years ago. It viii be
noted. abe had arrived at a stage of
income earning power. which a Roths-
child might envy. What dreams Of
avarice might not reasonably I'LL the
mind OF ayimpressionable girl whose
birth and greater part of her life had
been marked by the most meagre
purse limitations.
Solid Gold Toilet Set
Undoubtedly many people will be
interested to know that Mrs. Fair
banks has solid gold toilet set, pre-
sented by her husband.
Right here I might say that the
pictures in all of the bedrooms are
for the most part portraits. copies Of
old masters. many of them engraved.
There are two guest rooms. one Of
them the rose room. which has come
to be known as the Charlie Chaplin
room. because 1t is given over to the
comedian whenever he visits the
Fairbanks-is furnished in gray and.
of course. has its bath.
Then there is the yellow room,
with Its blue furniture. and also its
bah.
linen Fit For Fairies
The lincus in the Fairbanks
menage are really beautiful and
would delight any