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WHEN WE REACH THE TOP OF THE LADDER ' stardom m films *>* t I, \ i 1 1 IS success a state of mind? Those who believe It is, think that it is an impossible goal, for even if we are successful in the eyes of the world, we are "just on the way." I® other words, success isn’t the top of the ladder at all, for the ladder we speak of has no last rung. It grows and grows with time, and even if we could climb to infinity, there would still be plenty of rungs left. How They Did It. Let us now get an intimate glimpse of some of the well-known screen stars of today—to learn on which rung they are standing, how they ar rived, and how many more they hope to climb. One day Louise Fazenda realized that Bhe needed some extra money for the usual Christmas presents. When a friend of hers told her of a chance to go to the Mack SenDett studios and work as an extra for a few days, she accepted the opportun ity. Soon she conceived a strange make-up, with square-toed shoes and ••pigtails,” and her humorous ac tions, so strangely suited to her ludicrous appearance, aroused not only Mack Sennett, but the theater- x v • I hold this truth-whoever wins Must grow, and never cease to grow- . 'ttl f | jQlOCn (f Man’s highest stature here beiow For when growth ceases death begins. going public at large. After years of successful comedy work, she realized one day that she could “emote.” She wanted to do a serious part in a pic ture to prove that she wasn’t always "funny.” The Warner Bros, gave her that opportunity In "Being Respecta ble," and Louise has demonstrated her real ability as a versatile screen star. She admits that she will be satisfied for a while with her new role, but she does not guarantee for how long. "I shall always think of something else I want to do more,” she once said, “and then try to do it” Monte Blue worked his way into pictures almost over night, so to speak. After being graduated from a Western University and traveling nearly all over the world as sailor, soldier, lumber-jack, and cow-punch er, he determined to work in a stu dio, and the easiest way was to be come a ditch digger on the D. W. Griffith lot for $1.50 a day. One wonderful day, which Monte will never forget, an actor fell down on a job as a stump speaker for some scene, and Monte, who often was seen talking to the workingmen at noon, was asked to substitute. That was the beginning of his picture career. From that time on his rise was rapid and continuous. Now that Monte Blue is a star and has made such a success of himself in “Brass,” "Being Respectable,” "Daughters or Pleasure,” and "Main Street,” and an infinite number of others, he Is con sidering something else. His ambi tion is to become a director, then a producer. Go to it, Monte, you'll get there, all right Incidentally, Monte Is the only real American star In pictures today, for in his veins flows the blood of the Cherokee Indian. The Original Vamp. Many of us are not familiar wltn the name of Theodosia Goodman, but wc do know her screen personality under the name of Theda Bara, orig inal delineator of the “ramp” type. Her rise to stardom was almost instantaneous, from the suburbs of Cincinnati tc the high lights of Hol lywood. Her distinct type of beauty and the air of mystery with which the producers sumnyided her made her an outstanding constellation In the stellar realm, and although she has been In partial eclipse for some time, it is rumored that she is con templating a return to fllmdom, to add a few more rungs on her ladder of success. Then there’s Rodolph Valentino. From a dancer in a New York cab aret to an extra on the screen. For a while he plodded along as an ob scure satellite, until he gradually began to flicker and finally shine brighter than the rest of the stars. Now the name of Rodolph Valentino means a distinct type of actor, sug gestive of romance, love. His very poise gives him a certain quality very much “Rodolphlan" that we have come to look for In others an a point of comparinon. Speaking of distinct typen, Irene Rich seems to be as Individual a type of woman as we can find on the screen. She wasn’t always a star, but has been in pictures for quite a few years, since she left Buffalo where she obtained her education. Not long ago, the public as well as the producers began to see In her something that was different, a very sincere womanly beauty that was in valuable in certain roles. The pro ducers have seized their opportunity, and now Miss Rich Is demanded for parts which, it seems, are suttajde for herself only. In other word*. sh« has created a characterisation for herself, for which very few peo ple can substitute. Once a comedian, not always a comedian, necessarily! Willard Fouls was a comedian for years, on the le gitimate stage as well as the screen, but today he is a portrayer of char acter roles, and he has definitely de cided to continue along those lines. His characterization of the Prince of Wales in "Beau Brummel” and Goorgo Babbitt In "Babbitt” has definitely placed him as a portrayer of dramatic roles. At 35 years of age, June Marlowe started In pictures as an extra. Now she Is rapidly rising to stardom. At present she is on the Coast taking the hading role in "Find Your Man.” Her greatest ambition is to be a well known star, and at the rate she is going, there is no doubt of an early arrival. Nearly on -top at 17 Is doing pretty well! At 4lt is even better. Bruce Guerin Is the biggest tiny star In the cinema world. He needs very little coaxing or Instruction. All he needs is to understand the scene In his lit tle mind. 'The director will say, "Now, Bruce, your mamma Is going sway,” and his big blue eyes will fill with tears. Bruce certainly la climb ing fast; for a little boy he has quite a big ladder. Prom the Legitimate. When John llocbe was graduated from school, he began to study for the opera, but soon his ambitions were transferred to the stage, and ho became a member of the Neighbor hood Playhouse players in New York. He appeared in many prom inent roles, among them that of Ar mand Duval in "Deburau" which, co incidentally he will play In the film version. He suddenly began to take particular notice of motion pictures and went to Hollywood where he had no difficulty in making connections. He 1« now completing the film ver sion of the popular stage play, "Cor nered." Marie Prevost began her career on the screen as a bathing beauty for Mack Sennett. When she found she con Id no longer endure the pie throwtng contests so prevalent In slapstick comedies, Marie decided to go In for the serious drama. Now she is one of the best little "emoters" on the silver sheet. Her work in “The Marriage Circle” will be re membered as a masterpiece of ex ceptional acting. Gloria Swanson spent most of her time in the water, too, before the theater going public, as well as the producers, realized she could wear real clothes better than she could a bathing suit. Those of us who are "on our way" cannot help feeling all this sudden ness in a rise to stardom sounds a bit like a myth, but when It comes to us, wo will take it as a matter of course and feel not at all as if it were a gift from heaven. A Little «f Everything. Monta Bell Is one of the most youthful directors In pictures, yet. In his career, he has been reporter, newspaper editor, feature writer, publicist actor, theatrical manager and stage producer, “Daddy! Do you love me still?" “Yes, dear. But you never are.” t ; T i ■ ! I j \ \ I | t ! i . - % . ' * l » 5 \ '3 ! ti ■ i jjj l 1 fIS yflM 1 i jJ/> Vj» i^M5 [Vj ♦' < 5 a \ * ft A I r I - IfS - til /FI • t. I 'MM H