FILM CAREER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 590, 22 July 1933, Page 7

FILM CAREER

"Being the 'youngster' on a motion picture set is one of the greatest advantages an actress can have in Hollywood."

This is the opinion of Madge Evans, one of the screen's most successfql "youngsters" who started her career at the very tender age of four years. She is coming soon in "Hell Below," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer sucaessor to "Hell Divers." "When I first appeared in pictures | as a 'youngsters,' I discovered that instead of heing handicapped I really benefited by my youth. Everybody extended a helping hand from 'prop' boy to the biggest stars," explains Miss Evans. "Lon Chaney gave me my first makeup lesson. He taught me t0 apply .grease-paint so it would not deaden my own skin colour. Workers in the wardrobe department put eight paii-s of stockings on my legs and padded my waist with cloth so I could meet the requirements for a leading lady in one of my early screen appearances. When the director became exasparated v/ith my work I was saved again by being the 'youngster.' "During the last few silent pictures I was still a 'youngster' on the set, but when a new kind of film was introduced I was able to improve my makeup again on friendly advice from cameramen. Large cranes and complicated moving 'shots1 became the vogue, and I was tipped off on how to walk, j and time action to conform to the new ! technicalities. S "When the 'sound avalanche' struck Hollywood I was fortunate to eseape the trouhles that bothered many players making the change from silent films, having had much experience on the stage. But -again I was the 'youngj ster,' and everyone from the sound recording expert to the r.esearch engineer coached me to overcome microphone difficulties. "Any progress I have made froim my role as a 'youngster' to my present portrayals I feel directly due to experience with these fellowx workers who have been my 'Hollywood school'."