MARY PICKFORD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17010, 7 April 1923, Page 6 (Supplement)

MARY PICKFORD.

SEEN AT HOME ftY AN AUSTRALIAN. The follow ing are extracts from a re port of an interview with Mary Bickford. secured by the representative of the Melbourne “ Loader : " Like her husband, Douglas Fairbanks, 4 Marv* literally lives in her work, which accounts for all her films being so vividly charged with the atmosphere of the play. So many of her waking hours are spent at the studio that it has become no longer an asset, but a timesaving necessity to build on tlio lot a

bungalow, which part dressing-room, part reception ..ivum,) nr-d p.art counsel chamber. . . ami it was here she received me alter a few moments’ delav in the secretary’s office. ’• I have been talking since ten o’clock this, morning,” she said, with a dainty gesture of apology as she set tied herself among the cushions of the Davenport on which she was lying. Edward .Kimblock, the distinguished English playwright authoi of ‘Mile stones’ and ‘Kismet’—has just left me. He is preparing the scenarios and will supervise the production of my next two pictures' * Rosita,’ an adaptation of a German *tage play, brought to this country I>\ mv newl ••• appointed director. the famous Ernst Lubirsch and a screen version oi Charles Major’s popular historical novel. * Dorothv Vernon U Li.. II ’

of Haddon Hall.’ Immense sums ol money have, already been -pent on preparatory work ‘or the filming of ‘ Faust.' but, not without regret. 1 have decided to give up the idea, as 1 feel I am as yet unequal to the task of portraving Marguerite as conceived bv Goethe. From numerous letters I have received from people everywhere. 1 find tlio public would lather see me in roles with which they are familiar.” A piquant, charming face, framed by masses oi golden curls, daintily coiffured . . . Alary Bickford is the perfect type of Anglo-Saxon loveliness. Australians will be* idad to know she :s a hall cousin of ours, being a native ol Toronto Canada. Her complexion is .somewhat pale, owing to the constant use of .screen make-up—a sacrifice which all those in her profession arc called upon to make. .Between '‘shots” however.

she uses no artificial means to deceive the eye. Her ha/.el eyes change with her changing moods, flashing and sparkling when not entirely veiled b% long dark lashes. Her voice is low. with pleasant inflections. Her laugh ripping, bell like. Added i.o her physical beauty is the harm of perfect health, a keen executive ability and a sincere belief in her work as a means of retaining the priceless gifts with which nature ant, f;u tune have so. lavishly endowed lier. Rumour is current that sin* contemplates an elaborate screen version of •• Romeo and Juliet.” which, by the wav. would be a particularly appropriate production for 1D23, this being the tercentenary year o' publication of the first folio ol .Shakespeare. “ There was a time ” admitted Mary, ‘when i used to beast that L was tin, only star who did not aspire to be a Shakespearian actress, but nowadays 1 must confess to an ambition to plav ‘Juliet ’ to Doug’s 4 Romeo.’ Lnfor tuna Lely. Doug is seized with a mild desire tr» play the part of * Alercutio.’ John Barrvniore. whose work as “ Dr Jekyll and Mr Hvdo ” will over stand out as a landmark in the historv of motion picture acting has been mentioned as a possible ‘* Romeo."’ “Constance Talmadge would make a much better ‘Dorothy Vernon’ than 1.” declared the star as the tall, once • because she is tall and slender.* If f pla\ the part, one thing is sme Dorothv will not dress up ;n her cousin Malcolm’s clothes in order to deceive her doting aunt and keep tryst, with mr lover . . for as to that..’’ she added .rich a merrv laugh. “ I should never J ' <• Iv. novone, man, woman or child.” •Ids da in tv little fairy is only four I bet eleven inches high, and wears a » child’s shoe with ca.e “ Air Kunblock and I are going into the story very carefully ,” she said.

with a serious contraction of her brows “so that there may be nothing in the picture to keep the children out of Ihe theatre. . . That with me is always one of the first considerations. 44 Doug and l should love to go to Australia.” she volunteered eagerly.* ‘ Perhaps we shall call in there whan we make the Fairbanks-Pickt'ord--Chap-lin cruise round the world As yon will | see. Tam working in tw< pictures simultaneous!-, in order to bring that long anticipated trip nearer to realisa- “ Australia has sent us so many talented screen artists that wo are looking forward to seeing their country.” The brightest and busiest, of the stars has time foi one hobby, and that is the ” Baby Stars Club of which she is honorary president. Since its formation sh-.- lias been 1 lie idol of this little coterie cf film debutantes, and

when \dn* entertains tor them every other engagement is waived in favour ol Miss Bickford’s, party “ Realising the great' possibilities and wider-reach ing influence of the screen.’’ explained its fairest exponent'. “ i fee! that it is pari, of the debt I leagues who have awarded rne honours that I should help as much as is in my power to form the Daihtions of the silent drama, and to spread the ideals of the legitimate sta-po among these voting people who are taking their first Steps" before the screen. And as,” she added, with a smile of embarrassment ‘ I am happy to say they look to me for more, perhaps, than 1 am able to give. I spend with them much of my leisure time—more than my friends or husband wish me to.” Like ilie true artist that she is, I Mary Pick ford lives up to the timeI honoured maxim. “Noblesse oblige.”