Post by tom on Jun 3, 2022 7:08:36 GMT -6
I have always wondered about her early screen tests. Not much info out there on the NYC tests when Henry Rapf spotted her in the chorus line. But, this article in an industry mag tells of a screen test with Creighton Hale.
motionpicturecla27moti-jc.pdf (301.34 KB)
Extracted from the above...(OCR used, so forgive the typos!)
"...on the fateful morning
of January 9, 1925. For this, her first appearance
in front of a movie camera, she put
on a fussily modest and virginal frock which was
her conception of what the screen he-man's ideal
mate should wear. When they cranked the
camera, she alternately smiled and frowned, much
as though she were trying to make up her mind
whether or not she believed in fairies. They
made her play a little scene with Creighton Hale,
who happened to be around the lot with nothing
to do. and she tried to conduct herself as she had
seen the stars do on the screen. Looking at this
odd scene today makes one wonder what the
Metro-Goldwyn people saw in her as an actress.
As for her beauty, it showed but faintly through
the excessive avoirdupois she was then carrying
around..."
Interesting points...
1. Joan worked with Creighton Hale in "The Circle" (1925). He was the wishy-washy dude that Eleanor Boardman was thinking about leaving. Joan is young Lady Catherine in the prequel. They were also in Rose-Marie, 1928, when Joan was on the cusp of stardom. Humoresque - bit part for he, Joan stars. Ditto for Possessed, 1947. You kind of wonder if they reminisced about the old days for the latter.
2. Joan arrives in LA LA Land on the 3rd per the BOE Chronology, so this is a week later. Even before her first appearance in "Lady of the Night" as Norma Shearer's body double, Feb. '25.
3. Author is Cedric Belfrage.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedric_Belfrage
4. In the last line, I think Mr. Fancy Words is calling early-1925 Joan chubby.
motionpicturecla27moti-jc.pdf (301.34 KB)
Extracted from the above...(OCR used, so forgive the typos!)
"...on the fateful morning
of January 9, 1925. For this, her first appearance
in front of a movie camera, she put
on a fussily modest and virginal frock which was
her conception of what the screen he-man's ideal
mate should wear. When they cranked the
camera, she alternately smiled and frowned, much
as though she were trying to make up her mind
whether or not she believed in fairies. They
made her play a little scene with Creighton Hale,
who happened to be around the lot with nothing
to do. and she tried to conduct herself as she had
seen the stars do on the screen. Looking at this
odd scene today makes one wonder what the
Metro-Goldwyn people saw in her as an actress.
As for her beauty, it showed but faintly through
the excessive avoirdupois she was then carrying
around..."
Interesting points...
1. Joan worked with Creighton Hale in "The Circle" (1925). He was the wishy-washy dude that Eleanor Boardman was thinking about leaving. Joan is young Lady Catherine in the prequel. They were also in Rose-Marie, 1928, when Joan was on the cusp of stardom. Humoresque - bit part for he, Joan stars. Ditto for Possessed, 1947. You kind of wonder if they reminisced about the old days for the latter.
2. Joan arrives in LA LA Land on the 3rd per the BOE Chronology, so this is a week later. Even before her first appearance in "Lady of the Night" as Norma Shearer's body double, Feb. '25.
3. Author is Cedric Belfrage.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedric_Belfrage
4. In the last line, I think Mr. Fancy Words is calling early-1925 Joan chubby.