Louis Natheaux — A Kiss Won a Contract (1925) 🇺🇸
If Louis Natheaux ever writes the memories of his life, he will have about four “high lights” to record as occurring before the year 1925.
The list will be about as follows:
- He was born in Danville, Illinois.
- He sang in a Chatauqua play.
- He went on the stump for “Uncle Joe” Cannon.
- He kissed Lillian Rich so nicely that Cecil De Mille [Cecil B. DeMille] put him under contract to appear in pictures.
Mr. De Mille says there is an art in kissing — for screen effect — which can be developed to a fine point of technique or which can be butchered. This gentle, soulful, caressing, token of affection too often is made to appear like a display of strength. Natheaux kissed the bride so nicely in that picture, “The Golden Bed,” that De Mille grabbed him with one hand and thrust a contract at him with the other. Natheaux will appear in stock and likely will find the work to his liking. That is, if De Mille will give him a real opportunity.
However, he had other ability as well and it impressed the picture makers. Natheaux did a turn in vaudeville before singing in the Chatauqua play, Josephus, and before making speeches for Uncle Joe. Then he moved West to Portland, and while there decided to take a flyer in pictures.
—
Photo by: Albert Witzel
Collection: Picture Play Magazine, September 1925