IMPORTANCE OF SMALL FILM PARTS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

IMPORTANCE OF SMALL FILM PARTS

>' ' DIRECTOR'S ADVICE TO ARTISTS "THE small part has too often been overlooked as an important stepping-stone to suecess in motion pictures, declared Director W. S. Van Dyke recently. "From the time that Wallace Reid made the simple role of a blacksmith, a highlight of Ihe Birth of a Nation,' outstanding performanees m bit parts have elevated players to stardom. • . „ . , ,, "On Hunt Stromberg's recpmmendation, Clark Gable took tne small role of a gangster in 'Dance Fools Dance' after several actors turned it down, because, they insisted, 'It wasn't big enough. The part made Clark a star.,

"Tyrone Power, starred with Norma Shearer in 'Marie Antoinette,' was an unknown less than two years ago. He played a bit in 'Girls' Dormitory,' which called attention to his ability and started him on a phenomenal career. Gary Cooper was about to leave Hollywood when a producer became impressed by a bit he did in a 'Western' picture, and he clicked. "Robert Taylor, after giving up hope of ever making good in pictures, played in a 'Crime Doesn't Pay' short, which biought him into prominence. Joan

Crawford accepted a small part in 'Sally, Irene and Mary,' and won fame. Her next film, 'Our Dancing Daughters,' made her a star: Fred MacMurray, always willing to play the most humble part, finally clicked because of his hrilliant work in parts no one else cared to play." | Hollywood history, according to Van Dyke, has been made on bit parts. "Because a part is small,"' he said, "doesn't necessarily mean that it is unimportant. Many pictures have been great because players have giyen unforgettable performanees in small roles."