Evening star., 1923-05-13
BY
WILBUR'HALL.

Miss Lusk. II you could do that, why
didn't you? I'm sorry I made you
cry, but it was wonderful"
Ann Lusk gave him pathetic little
smile and turned away. Rod Nc
Queen. suffering for her. but under
standing Duke Bassett's difficulties
also, stepped aside and looked off
toward the mountains. What he
wanted to do-pick the little girl up
and comfort her. or lick somebody
he could not do. He was aroused by
shout from Bassett-
"Oh. Miss Lusk, hold that minute.
want to get you. Curly"
~Wel?" the camera man growled.
Come on In here for a Closeup
right about here. How's the light?
Just stay where you are. Miss Lusk.
Go on being hurt for minute. or
else I'm afraid I'll have to hurt you
again Ready, Curly? Now,
little girl! Pick up your dress again
as you were. No, the bottom Of the
skirt. Sure. that's 1t. Twist 1t. Go
on crying. If you can. but don't
change your expression. Grief is
what I want-hopeless grief. You
can't have than man-he's going to
marry Nora Norris. Great stuff.
Great stuff. Crank your head off,
Curly, and you'll die famous"
X X X
IN the stuffy and hot little projec-
tion room the members of the
Pool of Tears Company were watch
ing the first showing of the finished
picture. Somewhere behind them, in
comfortable easy chairs, sat Julius
Davfds, the car; Marcus Grulich.
the general manager; Duke Bassett,,
director, the author of the story andr
other personages. The tale was slow.
ly unwound. A woman shifted as the
last fadeout was followed by momen-
tary darkness. Then the lights in
the room were flashed on.
Nora Norris, the leading woman,
sitting in front Of Rod Mcqueen. was
red-faced and silent Rod was aware
that the picture had lost her some
where toward the end-that another
character had stolen the climax. Rod
looked across the room.
Marcus Grulich was facing Duke
Bassett and Jerry Burke, director
and cutter.
That's a fine picture he said.
But where is the star? I thought
we was releasing this as a Nora
Norris feature, anyhow"
Before either of the men could an
swer Julius Davids himseIf-the king
of them all-broke in excitedly. He
was blowing his nose and wiping his
eyes. and he radiated satisfaction and
delight.
starr" lie shouted Indignantly.
What's a star when you got a pic
ture like this? 1t makes a million
in the first releases! It's as good as
Mother Alone If it isn't already bet
ter He craned forward-leaned
down to touch the shoulder of II
little girl who sat in an obscure
corner in front of him.
Miss LuSk," he said with a guIp
I'm going to congratulate you,
Keep on like that. m dear and soon
you'll be star. Take it from me-a
star you'll be. because you got hu-
man feelings.
Outside Jerry Burke gestured to
Rod Mcqueen and they sought the
cutting room and its sanctuary. Sol
emnly they had a small dram.
You can lead d star to water, but
you can't make her SWIM Rod oh
served with twinkling eyes. After
this I'll believe anything you tell me
about the cutter making pictures
Burke grinned pleasantly. But his
voice was as surly as ever as he
rasped:
Get that ham of paw of yours
off that film, will you? Do you think
this is d saloon? Well, l said ii
mouthful. didn't j? It's all in the
cutting!"
Copyright 1921