1935-06-04 — Page 3

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. TUESDAY, JUNE

1935.

MAKING A GREAT ACTOR

F. BARTHOLOMEW'S GREAT ADVENTURE

By JULIA CHANDLER

In The Christian Science Monitor

his most beloved character Charles Dickens wrote:

Of his most beloved character Carles Dickens. Hi

name is David Copperfield."

A century after the great English novelist made this confession to a world he had incited to extraordinary love and sympathy for that boy, an English child was driving with an uncle from London to Dover.

The name of this child is Freddie Bartholomew.

It was one of those midsummer days when the English countryside lay new-born from a fresh shower: the clouds piled like mountains of soft down against a clear blue background, with plenty of rifts to admit the warm sun- shine. It was the sort of day to encourage a little boy's natural exuberance. Nevertheless, no smile came to the chubby little face to make the dimples dance; there was no laughter in the wide hazel eyes as mile by mile went by in silence.

Then, out of the stillness u sound not frightened. But he was im- patient to "speak his plece." was made.

Turning, he called:

It was the sound of a solemn younk voice saying:

"David must have been awfully tired when he got to Dover."

"What on earth are you talking about, Freddie?" asked his aston ished uncle.

Here are the members of the Pontypridd, Wafsi, Iladies' chole parading in their national costume at Padding, England. During the calabratione in honour of the King's Jubiles this choir #ang before Their Majesties in Windsor Castle. They are well-known throughout England for their fine performances and as the picture shows, make a colourful aggregation in their national dress.

from "Julius Caesar."

After that there was much talk between "Cissic" and the producer, Freddie thought it would, never end. Would they let him play "When is the blind going up. David? He wanted it as he want "Cissie'!"

PERFECT COMPOSURE

ed nothing else in all the world!

And when, finally, the long talk was ended, and "Ciaнie" told him Mr. Selznick had chosen him—out | Very soon the big man in the wings raised "the blind," and the of thousands of other little boys perfectly composed little boy, stand--he dashed down the street shout- "David Copperfield," Freddie reing alone in the contre of the enoring. "When do we begin? plied. "He was a very little boymous stage, recited his piece with for such a long walk."

It was weeks before work on the out a mistake, and in à voire which, picture did actually begin. Fred- even then, hinted' what he was godie could hardly wait. In fact, he

of the In neither past nor present was ing to do to the hearts

couldn't be entirely sure he was there the slightest thing to sug-millions who have recently felt going to be David until he was gest that four years after this such love, anxiety, sympathy and measured for his quaint little suits. memorable drive Freddie Bartholination as they have watched

After that he was satisfied. lomew in the person of David This adventures as David Copper- Copperfield-would have first-hand field, knowledge of just what it means for a very little boy to walk the 72 miles from London to Dover. Well, yes-there was "Cissie." "Cissie," whose love, care and įlie's education should include rid understanding for Freddie haveing, swimming, tennis and cricket. outdone that of Peggotty for David!!

Six years clapsed between that Copperfield.

spring afternoon when Freddie When he was 31⁄2 years old, liv-stood child of four years-on ing with his parents in London, the stage of a big theatre-wish Mr. and Mrs. Ceeff Bartholomew ing "the blind would go up." and were persuaded by Mr. Bartholo-his engagement for the role of mew's sister Millicent that her David Copperfield by Metro-Gold-him proper arithmelle. It was country place in Warminster was wyn-Mayer! just the environment for a wee boy who clamoured for the out-of-doors,

"SHORT". VISIT

mews. That "short visit" has

FOUR HOUR DAY Legally, no child is allowed to A deep intuition, born of her understanding love, told "Cissie" work on "the lot" more than four! ufter that performance that Fred-hours a day. It is also stipulated ¦

that three hours must be given to

Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer i lessons. asked the Los Angeles Board of Education to help them find a auit- able teacher for Freddie. They wanted an English teacher who could help him out of his confusion regarding the differences in Ameri ean and English money, and teach

of

A new and formerly unpublished portrait of Her Highnson, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, daughter of their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York, and grand-daughter of Their Majesties, King George and Queen Mary. Princess Elizabeth colebrated her ninth birthday anniversary on Emstar

Sunday, April 21,

not easy, but it was at last accom- Six years of just the normal lifeplished. The minute Freddie saw Miss Murphy he adored her. of an English child-lessons per- Throughout the production Honally directed by "Cissie"; "David Copperfield" he had three "Ile may go with you for a short pony to ride; trains, and solliers constant companions-his own dear

and guns with which to play visit," agreed the Cecil Bartholo-and, best of all stories; stories tulf"Ciasie"; Miss Murphy, his teacher, and Ray Sperry, his "stand-in" in never ended, and has ultimated him by his discerning tencher, and the picture, Ray Sperry was 181

years old just Freddie's age-and they had great fun together. Miss Murphy laught Ray also, using a baby!"- Freddie's dressing-room on rainy The second time the director days, and a tent in the open when said that to Freddie it made him the weather was fine.

so indignant he never again ran away.

custodian.

•

no one could have dreamed, for there are no professional folk in Then one day, in the summer of Freddie Bartholomew's family, 1984, Miss Millicent Bartholomew His lineage is sturdy English stock deelded she would like to see people of modest means; good America. So she gathered Fred- education, but with no distinguish-die, such toys as he found indis ed talents. If somebody had told pensable, and the story of "David the London Bartholomews that, at Copperfield" which the 10-year-old the age of 10, their offspring would lad declined to leave behind, and stir the whole world through at took an exciting ship for New York. extraordinarity wistful and dis-Since she knew nothing whatever tinguished screen performance as of the prospective production of David Copperfield they would doubt "David Copperfield," her visit to ༩༥༥ have questioned the prog-America was not actuated by that. nosticator's reason. But had that She just wanted a holiday; to nee somebody made the same predic America, and to give Freddie his tion to "Cissie," her faith would first taste of travel. have responded instantly. For "Cissie" knew.

With friends in New York, she By the time Freddie was four earned that Dickens's characters years old his devoted teacher and were to be reborn. She then read enstodian knew that here was no about the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ordinary child. Not that he is, ar plans for the production of "David ever was, a child prodigy. Noth-Copperfield." the book which, of all ing so ephemeral as that. But he wrote. Dickens loved best; the "Clasic recognised the fine qualityShe was told the filming of the hey who was his "favourite chill." of his imagination; his keen under- standing; his exquisite sensitive famous story was to be a true ness, and his abnormal intelligence. saga of the movie industry. Al- It was her habit to tell him nursery ready a great organisation of ex- rhymes when he first came to her. Perts and specialists had been al After a single recitation on her work for a year. The scenurio had part he would repeat them accur

been written; the director selected; ately, and with inflections all his

the cast assembled. Own A little later, ns the stories

All but the boy who would port-

grow longer, he grasped them com-ray David in his childhood.

pletely, and lived them over and over in his young mind. Thus it was when he was alx years old, and made the comment about David

SAW OPPORTUNITY "Mr. Selznick has been unable

David Copperfield," the newspapers told the world.

Copperfield's walk from London to to find just the right child for Jittle

Dover, his thought was saturated with the Dickens story which, even at that tender age, "Cinnic" had read to him until he knew it almost by heart.

When "Cissie" heart stood still.

read that her

In two hours Miss Millicent Bar- tholomew and her young charge

were wostward bound.

When David Selznick selected the little English lnd from among literally thousands whom he had how secured an appointment with Arriving in Hollywood she some- seen in looking for someone to play David Selznick, the role of David in the Copper-

feld pieture, Freddie had had pracher New York friends protested "It will do you no good at all," tically no experience in either the the long trip to the Const. "Mr. theatre or on the screen. Once or Selznick has seen, thousands of twice he appeared in amateur per boys. formances in London. The first of these occasions eccurred when he was barely four years old. It was a chlidren's performance and Fred- die was to say a nursery rhyate

from every State in the Union, and They have gone to him from every country in Europe."

"I know," said. "Cissie," politely. boy of 10 summers, with limpi

Five days Inter a little English

in which his beloved "Cissie" hud eyes, soft brown hair with a curl conched him. He stood, a tiny that makes all women envious; an speck, in the centre of the big irresistible smilo stage. The curtain was lowered, ful voice that does things to the curiously wist- and he could hear the music, and heartstrings, and a perfectly fear- excited voices. A big man stood loss outlook on life, stood in the in the wings, and "Cissie" was office of David Selznick and recited .comfortingly near, so Freddie was for him Mark Antony's speech

|

George Cukor, who directed "David Copperfield." established an immediate friendship with little Freddie Bartholomew by treating him as an equal. Even when, twice, Freddie's natural love of rid ing induced him to mount Rasil Rathbone's fine black horse and take a run down the licach when he should have been on "the lot," delaying work for more than an hour, the most cutting rebuke Cukor could ind for him was; "Freddie Bartholomew, I thouhgt you were a big boy, and not just

that in which

ance of the padding, and, relieved his mind.

When the scene was over, and the little boy was still shaken with saba, Basil Rathbone would have comforted him. But Freddie, whe loves and admires the actor pro foundly, pushed him away.

"Why, Freddie,, what is the mat- ter?" the distressed Mr. Rathbone asked, fearing the boy was mixing the actor with the odious man ke portrays in the picture.

The only scene in the entire story, Freddie approached with apprehension is Murdstone gives David a severe thrashing. No one had thought to tell the little boy his clothes would be padded for the beating until just before the scene was "shot."

"You can certainly hit hard," Seeing the strong cane with Freddie's voice quivered. which David's punishment was to

"Why, surely you didn't feel it be administered, Freddie's un-with all those pads!" Mr. Rathbone casiness became so evident that exclaimed. Mr. Rathbone guessed his ignor- "The pads slipped," said Freddie.

One of Germany's most famoki war-time commanders, Field Marshal yon. Mackansan, was honoured at a reconciliation masting recently between him and Chancellor Hitler, once a

corporal in a German line regiment.

fouet

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