The Expressions of Harry Morey (1919) 🇬🇧
The popular Vitagraph actor who possesses personality and power.
Harry Morey [Harry T. Morey] the well-known Vitagraph star, has had a very varied screen experience. He was born in Charlotte, Michigan; and after completing his education, his thoughts turned towards the stage.
At first he tried Shakespearean parts with varying success. But it was not until he turned towards musical comedy that he began to feel his feet. He made many distinguished appearances on the American stage with Anna Held, Webber and Fields, and Montgommery and Stone productions.
After a while, Harry directed his energies into the motion picture world and secured an engagement with the Vitagraph Company.
He appeared in nearly all of that Company’s big successes, such as “The Shadow of Fear,” “The Next Generation,” “Salvation Joan,” “Beauty Proof,” “Silent Strength,” “Fighting Destiny,” and “The Green God.”
His Leading Ladies
Harry Morey has had a number of leading ladies, but he is not quite so fickle in this respect as are many other artistes. He has co-starred with Alice Joyce in several big productions, the most outstanding of which are “‘Within the Law” and “Womanhood, the Glory of the Nation.”
He has also been seen in many fine productions with that splendid actress, Betty Blythe.
Harry Morey has, perhaps, been with a single company longer than any major screen artist.
Since the day when he first joined the Vitagraph Co., he has never broken his allegiance with them, although he has received many tempting offers.
“I do not believe in shifting producers and artists, as many of the others do,” stated Morey, “for the simple reason that once you get acquainted with each other’s likes and dislikes, perfect harmony is the result, and the maximum amount, of work can be obtained.
“If you recollect,” he continued, “my leading ladies began at first with small parts, and as they became further acquainted with the work asked of them, they were able to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them of bigger parts.”
Always True to Life
Harry Morey is one of our most substantial screen artistes. He represents the manly type, and his stories call for a man with real blood. He is not a “stunter,” but is a powerful actor, who creates and lives the characters in his plays, which are always true to life. He is the type of man who can make a sacrifice without that look of “I want you to sympathise with me in my trouble.”
And that is perhaps, the key note of his great success. He can give the impression of great strength even in defeat.
Many players have come and gone since Harry Morey joined the Vitagraph Company in 1909. But Harry is far from going, he has, in fact, renewed his contract for two more years. This is a sure sign that his popularity is not waning.
Those Who Have Passed
A peculiar thing about picture work is, that once an artiste has gone out of popular favour, not all the booming and advertising in the world will bring them back. One can recall a dozen or more players, whose names have been household words in relation to cinema work, who have now passed away into obscurity
“It is only true,” says Harry Morey, “that when a player is through, it’s ‘good bye.’ The public is fickle, and I have yet to come across the artiste who, having lost his or her popularity, has ever come back.
“I do not intend to thrust myself upon the picture-going public if I feel that they do not want me, but so long as I can get the proper stories, and retain the interest of the people, I shall continue my screen work.
“Many players,” continued Harry Morey, “state on their retirement that they intend to buy a little farm and some chickens, and live a quiet life; but I am afraid that this would not appeal to me.
“When I become a ‘back number,’ I am going in for politics. I have always wanted to, but my screen work makes so many demands upon me that I have not been able to.
“And then, again, pictures and politics do not harmonise very well.”
Where Credit Is Due
I am sure that we all agree that Harry Morey must not retire yet. He has filled a big place in screendom, and we certainly cannot afford to do without him.
Harry Morey’s latest production, to be released by the Vitagraph Co., is “Tangled Lives.” In this production he has the assistance of the popular artiste, Betty Blythe.
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Photo captions:
- Look of Expectation.
- A hard task-master,
- Agony in every feature.
- Don’t trifle with me!
- I will trust you.
Collection: Picture Show Magazine, December 1919
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Womanhood, the Glory of the Nation
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