DON'T ACT—LIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 14, 16 July 1936, Page 21

DON'T ACT—LIVE

There is no one in Hollywood more able than Miss Phyllis Laughton to speak of "acting," and what not to do ii one wishes to succeed,in motion pictures- She is the dramatic coach at the Paramount Studios. Miss Laughton s theory is simply that good actors don't act; they just put themselves in the position of the' character that they portray, and remember their reactions at the times that they went through the emotions that the character involves. "For example, take Henry ionda and Fred Mac Murray," said Miss Laughtpm. "Both had a little stage experience, but fundamentally they were fresh material when they appeared for the first time before film cameras Now look at their record. Fonda had madea hit in 'The Farmer Takes a Wife' on the stage, but he had no unusual stage experience. Walter Wanger liked his looks and signed him His first four pictures brought him almost to starring rank. Fred Mac Murray s. record was similar. He joined Paramount as a saxophone player who was likeable and 'different.' In less than a year he has soared almost to starring ranks."