The Washington times., 1921-02-12
Jackie Coogan Is a Boy First
And Only Aferqvards An Actor


Boys will be boys no matter where
they are. and the innate mischievous-
ness OF the young genus homo male
will crop out even among those who
have assumed the rigid discipline
which prevails in all we'll regulated
motion picture studios. Jackie
Coogan. whose work in The KID
the First National six reels OF JOY
starring Charlie Chaplin to be given
it's local premiere at Crandalrs Metro
politan and Knickerbocker Theaters
tomorrow. has stamped him as one Of
the greatest juvenile actors ever dis
covered. Is boy first and actor after
ward as many things which happened
during the filming of the production
in the Chaplin studios have shown.
Jackie, in common with most of the
other boys in the world, had laughed
at the comedians antics on the screen
and therefore had a great deal OF re-
spect for Mr.. Chaplin at the time he
was selected to portray the title role
Of the production. On his first
entrance into the studio, however. he
formed his own boyish judgments OF
all the persons connected with the
technical stan and took an immediate
dislike to one of the assistant
directors. He thought his manner
far too important for his position.
The dislike was mutual and 1t grad
ually developed almost open hostiH-
ties, with the assistant director open
ly telling Mr.. Chaplin "that he was
afraid Coogan had developed swell
head" The comedian advised him to
wait and see, and Jackie determined
to convince him.
1t is invariably the rule in taking
pictures that the entire cast must be
on the set before the star is sum-
moned from the dressing room. On
one occasion when the call boy yelled
the terse orders into Jackies dressing
room. the boy demanded:
as Mr.. Chaplin on the set?'
The call boy lost no time in report
ing this bit OF lese majestic to the
assistant director. who came to the
boys dressing room and heard the
same remark with his own ears when
the boy repeated it in the most nom
chalant manner of dignified star.
The director rushed to the Chaplin
dressing room, and insisted on tire
comedian coming to Jackie's room to
see the attitude which had been
not there. and on going to the set
they found him apparently sound
asleep on the stage. Charlie shook
him by the shoulder, and Jackie,
blinking up at him, murmured in a
sleep-hoarse voice:
II guess / must have dozed of
waiting for you. Mr.. Chaplin"
The greatest trouble he encounter
ed during the entire taking of the
picture was the penchant of women
visitors to the studio to make a fuss
over him. His smallness and appeal
ing face just naturally made women
want to fondle him and frequently
commit his pet aversion of kissing
him. One woman was particularly
bothersome on this score. and one day
when Jackie showed up on set the
whole side of his face was entirely
devoid OF makeup.
II guess, that's the place where
Mrs. mentioning the name OF the
wopan) slobbered all over me Just
before ] was called" was the excuse
offered in a tone of intense boyish
disgust.
The kissing stopped.
As the filming progressed Jackie
lost considerable OF the awe in which
he had held Chaplin at the beginning,
and finally during one OF the scenes
he rebelled. The action OF the piece
called for a scene showing Jackie
coming into the garret room occupied
by himself and Charlie and demand
ing supper.
to me and register asking supper
ready. papT" Is the instructed the
gave the boy.
Four rehearsals were gone through
and each time Jack had the hang
dog expression of a kid coming in
expecting a whipping instead OF being
impelled by healthy appetite to
make a demand for food.
Chaplin took the boy upon his lap.
a habit he had formed in discussing
the action with him, and demanded
to know the trouble.
Nothing like that would bring
you food in hurry at the Coogan
he declared.
"Well, show us how you would do
It," said the comedian.
Jackie was all pep when he came
on the set again after Chaplin had
resumed his place at he stove His
cap went sailing into one corner, he
clambercd into his chair, and while
making a grab for the bread with
one hand showed out his plate at
Charlie with the other.
The revision was accepted by the
author -director-star and the scene ls
in the production as Jackie directed
IL.
After the fame whi,h came to him
during the filming " "Ths Kid" Re
pulled typical boyish stunt which
almost ended his career as motion
picture actor. The DAY before he
was to start work on another picture
he was showing some vi his boy
friends some OF tho stunts he ox-
pected to do in the new picture and
fell off the roof OF wood shed and
fractured leg and an arm.
For time his life was despsircd
and then there was question az TO
whether he would not be bothered
with a limp for the remainder OF his