Lilian Braithwaite Interviewed (1919) 🇬🇧
Lilian Braithwaite — Cinema star and footlight favourite.
Lilian Braithwaite is one of those stage favourites who have also “made good” on the screen, winning for herself an assured position on the screen sheet, and maintaining at the same time her enviable reputation on the stage — an achievement not so common — at least in England — as it may seem.
We all remember Miss Braithwaite’s sound performances in such films as Masks and Faces, Dombey and Son, The Gay Lord Quex, Justice, The World’s Desire, The Climax, and Because. And now she is appearing in the screen version of The Chinese Puzzle, as Lady de la Haye, the role created by her in that very successful play on the boards.
Easier on the Screen.
“It must be very interesting portraying on the screen a character you have already played on the stage,” I remarked to Miss Braithwaite, as we chatted in her dressing-room, “between scenes,” one night during the final week of The Chinese Puzzle. “I should like to know what your experience has been in so doing — whether you have found it easier or more difficult?”
“Oh, easier!” was the reply. “You know one of the difficulties of a screen play about which you have no previous experience is that presented by the film method of not taking scenes in sequence. For instance, it is quite likely that the final scenes will be ‘shot’ first, and so on, which naturally makes it harder for one to grasp the true proportion of one’s part to the play than would be the case if a more straightforward method were possible. But, of course, in the character of Lady de la Haye for the screen I have not experienced this disadvantage.
If there be any difficulty attached to such a portrayal it is that so much must be condensed for the film. For instance — again— the scene in which the parting between the space and myself takes place occupies the space of six or seven minutes on the stage, while on the screen it is compressed into two sentences.”
The Art of Pantomime.
“I believe it is considered that the art of pantomime is the most difficult dramatic medium of all. Do you find it so, Miss Braithwaite?”
“Personally, I do not find it difficult,” answered the actress, in the quiet voice which is so essentially an expression of herself. Naturally, I am a great believer in facial expression, in the reflection of thought in the face.”
“Can you tell me of any unusual or amusing experience you have encountered while acting for the films?”
Miss Braithwaite considered for a moment.
“I’m afraid I can’t,” she said at last, with a smile. Except during the taking of one film when I sat in Richmond Park day after day, attired in evening dress and a tiara, waiting for the sun to come out. As a matter of fact, I am staying in town for the same reason at present. I have still a couple of outdoor scenes in which to act for The Chinese Puzzle, and I cannot go for ray holiday till the sun relents and allows me to do them.”
Then I expect you would like to go where King Sol shows himself more frequently than here. Miss Braithwaite — California, for example?”
“Oh, yes, I should love to go there! And I should like, too, to play in some Italian or Sicilian films. That would be lovely!”
M. H. C.
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Collection: Picture Show Magazine, August 1919