Alfred J. Goulding — The Prize Waiter (1925) 🇺🇸

They called Alf Goulding the best waiter in Hollywood.

For seven years he has been directing comedies — and waiting for an opportunity to attempt comedy - drama features. Every spare moment of his time, apparently, has been spent in the outer offices of the bigger studios, waiting for an appointment with this or that influential executive. So patiently persevering was he that it became a Hollywood joke to say, “I saw Alf Goulding [Alfred J. Goulding] — waiting.”

A peculiar condition exists in Hollywood. There are many like Goulding who have friends among producers, who are seen about with picture people of importance, who seem to be on the inside, yet who for some reason, usually inexplicable, are never given an adequate opportunity to prove their abilities.

In his case, his being labeled — that bugbear that has held back so many actors — was to blame. Pie was known as a rapid-fire, competent director of short-reel stuff. He was responsible for some of Harold Lloyd’s best two-reelers and directed Baby Peggy in her Century series.

But when he sought the chance to hold the reins over a feature, the producers refused, until Irving Thalberg took a chance and turned over to him “Excuse Me.” He now holds a long-term contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. At last his days of waiting seem ended.

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Photo by: Clarence Sinclair Bull (1896–1979)

Collection: Picture Play Magazine, July 1925