DEATH AMONG THE STARS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1940, Page 3

DEATH AMONG THE STARS

TRAGEDY OF JAMESON THOMAS. - ■ — Such information as has come to hand during the year does not record a heavy death roll among those who give us our motion picture entertainment. Of the short list only three names were of a household nature, and only two of these three names represented players who were acting at the time of death. Undoubtedly the most important name was that of Douglas Fairbanks, Senr., although Doug, had not been seen in a picture since the early and none-too-successful talkie, “The Taming of the Shrew.” Fairbanks made his debut in pictures, as so many others did, under the direction of the master David Wark Griffiths about 1915. Never a particularly good actor, Doug, reached the peaks of film fame through his remarkable prowess as an acrobat, and each of his pictures was noted for rapid and often sensational action. He had a long line of successful films to his credit, some of the most outstanding being “The Thief of Bagdad,” “The Mark of Zorro,” ‘Don Q.,” and the colour production “The Black Pirate.” Doug, was married for a long time io Mary Pickford, and he appeared with her in the talkie, “The Taming of the Shrew.” He was one of the original founders of the now famous United Artists Company. Greatest regret for the passing of any player woidd unquestionably be expressed when it was known that Alice Brady had died. Miss Brady had an inimitable style of “fluttery” comedy. and her countless appearances in talkies were always hailed with delight. It is remarkable that she should have been so successful as a comedienne, for in the silent era she was a top-ranking dramatic player. Practically the only departure made by Miss Brady from light-headed comedy in talking films was in “In Old Chicago,” in which she had a serious role. Miss Brady’s father was one of the master showmen of America’s theatrical world for some 40 years, and he was also an excellent actor. His daughter follow- , ed in his footsteps, and her versatility was such that she undertook several leading parts in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, her voice being admirably suited to the requisite singing. One records her passing with very genuine regret, and recalls the hours of delight given by this distinctive comedienne with a sorrowful sigh that they are ended. Third on this list is Herbert Mundin, who was killed in a motor car accident. Mundin earned wide popularity for his comedy in talking pictures, and few really big pictures failed to find a corner for him. He was, for instance, in “Mutiny on the Bounty,” “Cavalcade,” and “David Copperfield." He toured Australia and New Zealand in musical comedy, and was in Wellington in 1928 as the principal comedian in “The Desert Song." He served throughout the war on a minesweeper, and after the armistice was a member of Chariot’s famous revue for seven years. - In talkies Owen Moore never had roles of any great strength, but he did occasionally lend whimsical comedy. In the days of silent films he was a greatly-loved dramatic-comedian, one of his most important vehicles being “Piccadilly Jim,” and that soubriquet remained with him until the end of his career. His two brothers, Tom and Matt, were also well-known players, and Matt still makes frequent minor appearances. Owen Moore was at one time married to Mary Pickford. Floyd Gibbons was not a movie star, but he was a radio and film commentator of unusual ability. Many times his voice has been heard in a theatre I telling the story behind what the screen revealed. Latterly he earned the ’title of "The Screen’s Headline Hunter," because he was arranging for Warner Bros, a remarkable series of sensational episodes based on real life experiences, "Your True Adventure Series,” some of which have been shown in the Dominion. Gibbons had a very sensational life; he went wherever death and adventure lurked, more than once coming clear only by the narrowest margin of safety.

In England Jameson Thomas rose to important heights, and pictures such as “The Hate Ship,” “High Treason,” and “Piccadilly” established him strongly. With contracts yielding a certain £lO,OOO a year confronting him, Thomas suddenly threw up everything to take his tubercular wife to California. She lived only a year. Thomas remained, but his star as an actor had waned, and his Hollywood appearances were negligible; his last showing was in “100 Men and a Girl." in which he appeared for about five minutes. He did, however, direct a few pictures, but he made no money, and last year, aged 45, he himself fell a victim to tuberculosis. He was absolutely penniless (although he had been the highest-paid star in England), and his funeral was conducted under the auspices of the Motion Picture Relief Fund. Florence Lawrence was the forerunner of the star system as we know it today, and, although her name meant almost nothing when she died, it became world-famous when she entered films as far back as 1907. She was billed first as the “Biograph Girl" because she worked for the Biograph Company, but Carl Laemmle persuaded her to join him, consequently a change of name was necessary. Laemmle took the unprecedented step of billing her under her own name. This step was soon afterwards followed by Mary Pickford and other players. So stars were born. At the time of her death Florence Lawrence was attached in c. "pension” capacity to the M-G-M. studios, and occasionally she appeared in crowd scenes.

English music hall comedian Nelson Keys died in April. He first appeared on'the stage in 1906. and thereafter was a regular performer, being particularly successful in musical comedy. Keys made several motion picture comedies in the early talkie days, his most notable efforts being in the "Splinters" comedies. . In "Fire over England." one of the most memorable pieces of character acting was given by Morton Selten in the role of Lord Burleigh. Mr Selten nassed awav at Denham at the end of July, at the old age of 81. He played many small but important roles in British pictures, and is yet to be seen in Alexander Korda's colour film. "The Thief of Bagdad.” He was not a well man during the making of this picture, and his appearances had to be -rushed" through. He completed his part two days before he died, being then in good spirits, although he had to be wheeled from his dressing room to the stage in a bath chair. During the last "take"—a long dialogue sequence —Mr Selten paused, turned towards the camera, and said. “I have dried up.” This was the only shot which had I to be taken twice.