Joyce Compton — Yet Another Cinderella (1926) 🇺🇸

The great majority of extras are unfortunately destined, according to current beliefs in Hollywood, to remain just extras. The chosen few? Well, maybe, says the film metropolis, doubtfully shaking its head — maybe they will have the good fortune of Joyce Compton.

It isn’t a new story, of course, that a very smart-looking young girl of blond persuasion should walk into a casting director’s office, and win a five-year contract, with hardly so much as the batting of a golden eyelash. Nevertheless, it is still a novel one, and Miss Compton, who recently performed the feat, is being appropriately envied by the atmosphere sisterhood. She is one of several girls signed by First National for future stardom.

The temptation to get into pictures had long lurked in her mind, but it was not clearly formed as an ambition until she had entered a beauty contest, conducted by a Los Angeles newspaper, and emerged as one of the first ten successful competitors.

By the merest chance, she applied to David Thompson, First National production manager, one day when tests were being made in the hope of discovering new talent for screen rôles. She was asked if she wanted to compete in this with a number of other “likely candidates.” She of course said yes, and when the film of her was made, the other “likely candidates” vanished into oblivion, for Miss Compton evidenced more poise and attractiveness than any of them, with the result that the company awarded her the long-term contract.

—

Photo by: James N. Doolittle

Collection: Picture Play Magazine, January 1926