Life — September 8, 1921 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

September 8 So This Is April! Our interviewer boldly enters the lair of the famous child-star, and—but read of her adventures for yourself By EDNA BEMIS LYNN walked up the steps of ‘Folly Manor,” the gorgeously expensive Hollywood home of April Folly, the diminutive star. Even the granite lions that flanked the bronze doors registered studied disdain as I passed. April Folly!) What a train of thought the name inspired! I could not believe that I was about to encounter the Wonder Girl ot Filmdom in the flesh, or, at least, face to face. I had wondered so about. her home life! Was she the same unaffected, unspoiled, “regular” person when she was “out of office hours” away from the mad whirl of the studio? A man servant answered my summons. “Is Miss Folly at home?” I gulped. “No.” was the reply, “she’s out.” I made no secret of my disappointment. “T came to interview Miss Folly I sighed, “but I know she dovsn’t want to see me. I should have realized that of course she shrinks from publicity and doesn’t like to shave her name in print, and especially her picture, and 653! ou're wrong,” the fellow interrupted. “You're all wrong.” “Why—?” I made no secret of my astonishment. “Miss Folly doesn’t shrink from publicity. On the con- trary, she craves it. If it were necessary to commit murder to break into print, she’d commit murder; and if that were not enough, she wouldn’t hesitate to. . .” He was fortunately deterred by the look of pained horror that suffused my face. “Well, let it pass,” riety at any price’. . with it.” [ was with mixed sensations of trepidation and awe that I he said. “Anyway, her motto is ‘noto- . and the worst of it is, she gets away With Apologies to PHOTOPLAY April Folly’s home life is ideally perfect. Speaking of her husband (who was unfortunately away visit- ing relatives in the East when the above picture was taken), she says, “We are something more than just husband and wife—we are pals.” I was rendered inarticulate by the enormity of his I made no secret of my indignation. “They talk about her kiddie-like beauty,” he continued. “Phooie! Why, her beauty is nothing but a combination of enamel, peroxide, belladonna and rouge. Stripped of her spare parts, she looks like bad news from Siberia.” I was on the verge of collapse. “And as for her ‘ideal home life’ . . .”—he emitted a dry, mirthless laugh—“Why, her poor, insignificant husband never sees her except when he goes to the movies—which is damned seldom; and her eight children have to call her by her first name and pretend that she is their little sister.” I finally managed to gasp out the word: “Who—who in Heaven’s name are you?” The fellow looked around, as though his pale eyes were acrilege. I couldn’t credit my senses. “It would be different if she could act, she hasn’t a thought in her head. She’s director tells her. own t Was the fellow insane? ” he sighed. She eats, walks, smiles, frowns, endorses checks—does everything, in fact, just as the never contributed a single idea of her any picture she ever appeared in.” “But that April Folly’s attempting to pierce the black shadows of the vast mansion salary had erected. “Oh—I,” he murmured, “I’m just her husband.” And he disappeared from view. . . I thrilled inwardly, for I felt that a new and unexpectedly beautiful side of April Folly’s life had been bared to me. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ONES A.—Wallace Reid is married. A Jack S., STEAMBOAT SpriNcs, Coto. —Yes, Bebe Daniels’ first name is pronounced so that it rhymes Iebe.” Anybody will tell you how pronounced. with that i R. F. D., Cutcaco—I_ cannot undertake to answer medical queries in this depart- ment. Try Jim Jam Jems. Aue Mae—tThe ingenue you mention was on the speaking stage before she state! her professional career in the movies. Her first engagement was with a “Uncle Tom's Cabin.” Yes, she was a member of the original Broadway cast. Ciara, Porttanp, Ore.—Wallace Reid is married. Ampitious.—There are ever so many ways of getting into the movies for the girl who makes a really truly big effort. Have you tried writing to your congress- man? Joun Henry, Canarsie, N. J—The stage play, ‘he Admiral Crichton,” was based on Cecil B. DeMille’s famous film, “Male and Female.” No, I do not know the name of the author, but think it was Wesley Barry. Why not write and ask Variety about it? June Bup, Wasu Hottow, S. D.—Wal- lace Reid is married. There are no spectacles, lenses in Harold Lloy¢ Orto.—You ought to be ashamed of yourself for asking such a_ question. (Send stamped, self-addressed envelope for reply.) Ernet, Brtoxt Seminary, — Wallace Reid is married. So is Ben Turpin. comicbooks.com