Robert Anderson — Meet “M’sieu Cuckoo”! (1918)
Robert Anderson — one more screen type who characterizes the Griffith passion for unusual faces.
Robert Anderson was on the screen for four years before he was noticed. For D. W. Griffith is a very busy man. For nearly four years Anderson has been performing before the cameras, most of that time in support of players of note. Minor parts, heavies, came his way; he was in “Enoch Arden,” an old Fine Arts; Double Trouble, one of Dougs [Douglas Fairbanks Sr.] first Triangles, and in The Americano, a later Fairbanks subject. He first came under Griffith’s personal observation in the mob scenes for the Babylonian period of Intolerance. He was given a stock position and carried several minor parts in that picture. It began to look as though Anderson was one of these sterling actors whose names are included in the supporting casts. He wasn’t new. He had done his bits to the best of his abilities. But nothing happened.
Then — it was a Griffith rehearsal. A member of the Griffith stock, Anderson was one of those rehearsing the scene in Hearts of the World where The Boy is seen returning to the trenches from the hospital. Things hadn’t been going just right, and Anderson was about ready to give up — quit the job, disheartened. Griffith reviewed the scene for the players and called the rehearsal. Harron [John Harron] made his entrance; then Anderson walked on — and made his name. For instead of the English handshake and cold greeting that we assay on meeting friends, he burst forth in a volume of French terms of endearment and clasped his comrade in his arms. It almost broke up the rehearsal.
Other scenes in which he had appeared were retaken, and Anderson, when Hearts of the World was unreeled, found himself more conspicuous.
Anderson is a native of Denmark, born at Odense. Bitten by ambition, he left Denmark after a few years’ experience on the speaking stage, to come to America but unable to speak English. He tried pictures, “suped” enthusiastically, and found himself ready when his big cue came.
Although he now speaks good English, he says he will never go back to the speaking stage. He is a musician and painter.
He is with Griffith, but he has been working in a Bluebird picture between times. Recent pictures in which he is given more to do are “The Enemy Within,” Dorothy Gish’s first stellar subject, and The Great Love, Griffith’s first Artcraft release.
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Robert Anderson as the character of M’sieu Cuckoo, in Griffith’s Hearts of the World.
He chose motion pictures because he couldn’t speak English. Now he can speak English and says he intends to stay.
Collection: Photoplay Magazine, December 1918