The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-02-16
In
 Hollywood
By ERSKINE JOHNSON NEA Staff Correspondent

One of the silent screens great est matinee idols - Bryant Wash burn - is starting all over again in Hollywood.
 In 1918 and into the twenties, Bryant was Cinema Heart Throb No. 1. the Clark Gable of his day The ladies stood in lines blocks long to see him in such films as ''Skinner's Dress Suit" "The Prince of Graustark" and Tt Pays to Advertise"
 Today, at 46 and a little gray at the temples, he's playing bit roles at the RKO studio - and loving it, The studio recently gave him a long term contract, with a small but comfortable salary. But the secur- ity is not as important to him as the chance to again regularly face camera.
 "I'll play any kind of role, no matter how small" Bryant said "I'n make all of them good. And then some day maybe the right one will come along and, well, who knows what will happen"
 Bryant tells some wonderful stories of the dayls when motion pictures were known as galloping tintypeS.
 In 1911, when he deserted the New York stage for the infant film business then starting in Chicago, film actors were scarcer than T-bone steaks are today.
 Tt was considered disgraceful for an actor to work in motion picture" Bryant said "TheaterS were knocked out store fronts and even people who went to see them looked up and down the street, hoping their friends wouldn't mo- tice them, before sneaking up to the box office"
 BIG MONEY
 To get him to sign his first Es- sany film contract, Bryant said he was given railroad fare to Chi cago and promise of free clothes, and drinks after work every night" His salary was 8 magnifi- cent $45 8 week. Bryant worked for Essany in Chicago for seven years before coming to Holly wood.
 People wonder why so many stars of the silent screen have so litle money today" he said. "The reason is obvious. I couldn't save much on $45 week. And the most ever earned was $500 a week. And then only for a few years. That's quite a difference from your Hollywood salaries to- day. Why, after Henry B. Walt hail was a hit in "The Birth of a Nation" and was given new con- tract, his salary was so high all the newspapers commented on it.. The salary was $500 week"
 Until RKO handed him a con- tract, Bryant made occasional per sonal appearances, helped Jesse Lasky with his radio show, Gate way to Hollywood" and worked as master of ceremonies in a Hollywood night club.
 CINEMA CHANGES
 As a hero of the days when the screen did not talk, Bryant finds the greatest Hollywood change in this department.
 we had to say something, Of course, to show our lips moving, but most of the time we just kidded each other or told jokes. Never said anything pertaining to the scene. Finally, the talk reached the point where one of the studios put up sign reading. Be Careful of Your Dialog in Con- versation Due to Lip Re ding in the Audience"
 Styles in acting have changed. too, Bryant laughed. Tn those days we used the hand-to heart approach in lovemaking, and the pended knee routine in proposing to our ladies fair"
 Bryant's first role under his new RKO contract is with Eddie Can tor in"Show Business" He's also set for a small role with Rosalind Russell in Sister Kenny" As he says, he hopes to make them all good and maybe some day the right part will come along and Bryant Washburn may again find his name in lights.