The Expressions of Stewart Rome (1919) 🇬🇧

Stewart Rome and the rising tide of British photo-plays

Stewart Rome, British screen actor, is making history, although he probably does not realise this important fact at present. In years to come, when learned volumes are written dealing with the early days of the motion picture art, Stewart Rome’s name will be certain to figure prominently in its pages.

This artiste stands for something more than just film acting. His work is stamped by “quality,” and it represents far more than the mere playing of a part.

A Splendid Actor

Stewart Rome is winning a place for himself in the Hall of Fame, and it will be found that when, in a short time, the supremacy of British films is assured, this success will be due in no little measure to the efforts of this splendid actor.

The day of the foreign machine-made film, with mechanical actors, and mechanical stories, is nearly over.

The rapidly rising tide of British film art will soon be irresistible, and the real and better art of the screen will at last come into its own.

For many years now Stewart has been working, and hoping for this day. In common with a few other British artistes, he has struggled manfully to overcome the setback and disappointment which has beset the film industry in this country.

The Dark Days Have Gone

But the dark days have gone for ever, and the future is one full of brightness. Once more the indomitable British spirit has conquered.

Like many other converts from the stage, Stewart Rome prefers the screen to the legitimate. He finds the free, open-air life which the cinema artiste enjoys tar more preferable than the confined atmosphere of the stage.

And he considers that an artiste is greatly benefited by these conditions, not only in his health, but in his work, for freedom of action has its influence on thought, and consequently on the portrayal of the various characters which one undertakes.

A Desire for Adventure

Stewart Rome’s desire for travel and adventure was what first led him to take up acting as a profession.

His parents intended him to be an engineer but his high spirits would not permit him to devote his time to the long studies necessary, and when he should have been working and reading, his thoughts continually wandered in directions more exciting.

Stewart’s first theatrical adventure was an engagement to play a small part in a musical comedy called The Girl Behind the Counter. And, although he confesses that his salary was not stupendous, the work appealed to him, and he decided to go on with the stage.

However, no success is obtained without hard work, and Stewart quickly realised that if he was to progress, it would be necessary for him to study very hard.

The fact that the work was congenial made a lot of difference, however, and young Rome put in many hours hard work each day which he begrudged to devote to engineering.

A Proud Day

It was a proud day in his career when he was offered the principal part in Lights Out! When the tour of this came to an end, he went abroad and travelled in many parts of the world, including India, China, New Zealand, and Australia.

Stewart is very grateful for the experiences he gained while on this trip, and considers them to have been of great value in his screen work.

Stewart Rome has just completed work in a new racing picture called The Gentleman Rider, for the Broadwest Company; and other forthcoming pictures you will see him in are The Great Coup, and Snow in the Desert.

—

Photo captions:

• An interesting chat.
• He looks severe.
• I mean what I say.
• A questioning glance.
• In happy mood.

Collection: Picture Show Magazine, November 1919