San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-12
Thomas Jefferson Believes
sZigntnin His Best Play

at least the characters of the two
men are-but 'Lightnin' is a much
finer play-finer because it is more
human. Rip could never really have
happened at all, and l feel sure that
there is Bill Jones in every town
in the country"
Before he began starring in Light
MIN" two years ago, Mr.. Jefferson
played in the movies for ten years. He
speaks of having acted with Sessue
Hawakawa, Charles Ray, Clara Kim
ball Young, Sable Lorcha and likes
and admires the work they all do. His
first screen experience ten years ago
was in Griffith picture with Henry
B. Walthall. Lionel Barrymore,
Blanche Sweet and Marshall Neilan.
all of whom have since become stars.
He Likes Griffith.
Griffith has been 'Svengali TO
number of stars" Mr.. Jefferson says.
Many an actor under his personal
direction, does really wonderful things,
when another director does not seem
TO get any results from the same actor
at all. l have seen Griffiths great
est star, Lillian Gish, act under an
WITH sht WASH pa
thetic at all, aud couldn't produce a
single tear. One of the REASONS for
Griffith's great success is the care be
uses in selecting his stories, and the
Importance he gives TO each tiny de-
tail in directing. Sometimes he will
work for months with certain cast
on story he is producing, and then.
almost at the end, discard every one of
the group of actors, and try an entire
ly new group, taking a little bit of
stage business from one actor and a
little bit from another until he gets
just what he wants"
No, l don't believe that the screen
can ever compete seriously with the
stage. The two are so very different.
though the technic Of acting for the
two is practically the same. To NE
the loss of the marvellous image-crcat-
ing power of the speaking voice on
the stage can never be compensated
for by the wider capacity for scenic eff
fects on the screen. l know l can
create part entirely with my voice, |
and | never feel that | am thoroughly !
convincing in part when / cannot |
use my voice. Personally. i have never |
llhNu ctiL vi lut sCIttu. l. SuDpOstl
it is because it gives an actor that |
rare chance TO see himself as others |
see him and that is seldom a pleasant |
experience for any Of us. l think the |
best answer to comparison of the |
screen with the stage, is the reminder |
that on the screen a baby or dog can
play the leading part. and on the |
stage. ability. personality and training
are essential"
Was Here IS Years Ago.
Mr.. Jefferson speaks of having play
ed in San Antonio 80 years ago with
his father and his two brothers,
Joseph Jr., who has since died and
Will. who is now playing in the !
movies. They played in the old Grand |
Opera house then. in rip Van Win |
kle' and The Rivals" and Mr.. JEFF |
ferson says he remembers the two per-
fectly and has been fond of it ever
since. "Exervthing is changed though.
he says. Nothing is like it used to be !
except the missions. They are all that
look familiar. Even the Alamo seemed
different then. 1t was farther out of
town."
The first thing Mr.. jefferson did
when he got to town on Sunday was
to engage driverless Ford. Except
act. the only thipg can do. is drive
Ford. =" be explains with pardonab,e
pride. Il can't drive any other KIM
OF car. but | wanted to take some of
the people in the Lightnin' company
around town and show them the
sights. SO ! got Ford the first thing. |
and we have been around a good deal |
We went out TO the missions the first !
thing