Tempestuous winter visits its venom on the country for but a quarter of
each year.
Wherefore, why cannot “Ma” Pickford take example and cast the winter out
of her soul for at least a portion of the time?
This woman, mother of our greatest screen actress, has occupied our
pages off and on for some time—without much credit. Now, once again we
feel called upon to devote a little of our space to the latest caper of
what those who should know—(including son-in-law Doug) have designated
as a sour disposition.
Lately the fair metropolis of New York has been graced with “Ma”
Pickford, and daughter Lottie, the erstwhile Mrs. Rupp. Lottie has had a
good time. Why not—Manhattan is an Oasis in the Sahara. But “Ma,” as
usual, stepped off with the wrong foot.
It seems the two went east with a film in which Lottie has the principal
part. And “Ma” decided to act as sales-manager—the “managerial” instinct
growing stronger with age.
The second act reveals a projection room on 42nd Street. Dr. W. E.
Shallenberger, President of Arrow Film Corporation and of Federated
Exchanges, “Ma,” Lottie, and several members of the Arrow film offices
enter down stage (though “Ma” might appear to be “up-stage”).
Reel one gets by O. K. Shortly thereafter Dr. Shallenberger with an eye
to business, injects a laugh into the plot. Those who know the Doctor’s
disposition insist it must have been a forced laugh, a business prop as
it were, in order to inform others he did not think so much of the film—
with a natural drop in the “asking” price a possible consequence.
But it didn’t work out. True to form, “Ma” pugnaciously arose, and,
according to those present, irately questioned Shallenberger exactly
where he “got off at” as a critic, vehemently flung a few minutes more
berating from her 75 millimeter vocal channel, and then, getting warmed
up and into form, proceeded to “bawl” out the head of the Arrow Film
Corp. to a fare-thee-well.
Then came the startling part of the affair. “Ma” is not used to being
crossed. Except for one occasion when daughter’s husband laid down the
law (which was related in a past issue of FILM TRUTH) she has seen all
adversaries crumple like grains of puffed rice when she really got
started. This time she got another unpleasant surprise.
The Honorable Dr. Shallenberger said not a word. He arose, told the
operator to shut off the projection of the film, opened the door and
walked out.
So, we judge, “Ma” is now peddling her daughter’s film around other
companies where the buyers have a conception of “decency” which Doc.
must, in her estimation, be lacking in.
[Open Book Decoration]
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