MARY PICKFORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20958, 22 August 1931, Page 11 (Supplement)

MARY PICKFORD.

" THE WORLD'S SWEETHEART." GREAT DRAMATIC ARTIST. It has gradually dawned upon the motion picture public that " America's Sweetheart " is really a great dramatic artist. From curls to coiffure Mary Pickford has always been the screen symbol of romantic girlhood. Her naturalness caused some people to take her for granted, with 110 consideration for the magnificent spark of talent back of her difficult characterisations. On the screen she can be as demure as a maiden at prayer, or as delightfully rowdy as an alley madcap. She is capable of great intensity or restraint, of rollicking humour or drawing-room poise. Miss Pickford was born in Toronto, Canada, and began her stage career in that city at the age of five with the Valentino Stock Company. At eight she was a featured player and had toured in the play " In Convict's Stripes." A year later she was starred in " The Fatal Wedding." When she was thirteen she played with Chauncey Olcott. He real name was Gladys Smith and every member of her small family was a trouper, including her mother, her Bister, Lottie, and her brother, Jack. It was David Belasco who christened her Mary Pickford. This was after 6he had played a season in melodrama in the old Thalia Theatre on the Bowery, and, in desperation to get 011 Broadway had braved her way in to see the distinguished producer. Belasco, charmed by her beauty and impressed by her determination, gave her a chance in " The Warrens of Virginia." She originated the role of Betty Warren. Miss Pickford's first screen work resulted from a visit to the old Biograph Studios, where she happened to meet D. W. Griffith. He hired her on sight and her first film appearance was in a 500 ft. picture called " Her First Biscuits," in which Florence Lawrence and William Courtwright appeared. In 1915 she was vice-president ol the Mary Pick ford-Famous Players Company, earning an amazing salary and sharing in the profits of the company. A year later her own organisation was formed. Two years later she became an independent producer, making -pictures for release through First National. Early in 1919 she became one of the organisers of United Artists Cor-poi-ation, the other members being Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and David Wark Griffith. This organisation, headed by Joseph M. Sclienck, still releases her pictures. Her first talking picture was " Coquette," which brought into play her years of stage experience. Her second was " The Taming of the Shrew," the only film in which she has co-starred with her husband, Douglas Fairbanks. Miss Pickford and Fairbanks were married March 28, 1920 and together they have done much to heighten the respect of llie public- for flip film industry