Thomas Meighan — Blue Book of the Screen (1923) 🇺🇸

John A. Meighan once looked forward to having his son called “doctor” by the people of his home town — and lives to see him called “Tommy” by a nation!

Thomas Meighan calls Pittsburgh “home,” although it must be difficult to know just where home is to a man who keeps traveling back and forth from Atlantic to Pacific to make motion pictures. But it was in Pittsburgh that Tommy was born, attended school; and it was Pittsburgh that encouraged the youthful Thomas on his first stage appearance.

After Tommy had quit school he expressed the opinion that he would like to go on the stage. Meighan, Sr., with that paternal advice which is always well intended, argued for a career as a physician. Dad is reconciled now, although he couldn’t see it when Thomas slipped off as an extra man with Henrietta Crossman [Henrietta Crosman] who was playing in Pittsburgh in Mistress Nell.

Tommy broke into the movies in the same manner an escaped lion breaks into his cage. The bait was hung up, his attention was attracted to it, and he just walked quietly in and began to make pictures.

He was playing in London in Broadway Jones at the time and had been on the stage for ten years. Samuel Goldwyn made him an offer. He didn’t accept that first offer. He came back to America and played On Trial, in Chicago.

When the season closed Tommy was again approached and asked if he had changed his mind. Tommy hadn’t, but did. That was seven years ago. He went right out to Hollywood and his first part was in the George Melford production, “The Fighting Hope.” Laura Hope Crews was the leading woman. Then they cast him in the Cecil B. De Mille [Cecil B. DeMille] production, “Kindling,” with Charlotte Walker. From that time on he had a continued screen career.

Mr. Meighan is six feet tall, and weighs 190 pounds. He always was fond of swimming, walking and riding, and has made all these things a regular part of his daily regime, instead of an occasional pastime.

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Answering the “fan” mail from his many followers.

Tommy Meighan is about to forsake acting for directing, so he gives his “fan” mail a last fond look.

Collection: The Blue Book of the Screen (1923)