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"The
Gentleman from New Guinea," pg.2 He fought
his way through his share of the fist-battles that the adventurer must
encounter in all "outposts of civilization," and made friends
down there among the other nomads. He values these contacts as much
as any he may make in our world. |
Deciding
to do something about it, he returned to England. A confessed
fatalist, he regards the movies as just another adventure. But, this
career business isn't turning out such a snap as he had anticipated.
If it had, he probably would've quit by now. |
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"Acting
interests me, for now, because it is a reproduction of life's drama.
One can't possibly go everywhere, do everything, except vicariously.
That's why the movies appeal to me - their wide panorama of locales,
their vivid action. I can't stand routine. |
| Though
he represented England at the Amsterdam Olympics in 1928, in the heavyweight
boxing class, he doesn't follow any daily athletic routine, except that
he has been practicing fencing for his "Captain Blood" role.
His boxing career was "just fun," and he likes tennis and swimming,
too. He has written short stories and a book describing the dangers and thrills of pearl-fishing. He never dived, himself, but watched his natives win battles against sharks.Twice he decided he'd had enough of New Guinea, and left, and twice he was called back by the fascinating spell of the tropics. The primitive naturalness of life down there appeals to him. |
Watching
actors' shadows flicker across a sheet stretched between trees down there,
little did he dream that some day he would be performing such exploits
on the screen, himself! "In small towns in the tropics, the reactions of both natives and whites are similar to ours. The films are old ones; there are almost no sound movies - at least, I never saw any, though there may be some by now in the bigger places. Silent Western pictures, starring Bill Hart and Hoot Gibson, are run until they are completely worn out. The drawing-room "problem plays" haven't reached there yet. |
| "Yes,
it does seem strange to be in Hollywood, meeting actors whom I knew only
as images from a distant civilization. But one can't get to know people
well here; the social life is amusing but superficial. However, remember
that I am just a savage from the jungles! Perhaps when I am tamed, I will
jump through the social hoops too." I don't think so. He will always be the brash lad challenging, enjoying and evaluating life, and contributing his vibrant personality to new and exciting adventures. THE END |