Under the Magnifying Glass — George Kuwa (1922) 🇺🇸
On the back cover of the current issue of Close-Up, there stares you in the face a perfect likeness of Mr. George Kuwa — as he is, and as he appears at such times when the directors ask him for a subtle characterization of members of his own race.
by The Man behind ‘Close-Up’
It must be obvious to you that this dominant face represents the intellectual aspects of the higher type.
George has been several years in motion pictures, during which time his histrionic ability has been tested to the limit. He has played everything from the personal valet, to a Chinese mandarin. He has been a dive keeper, and he has been one of the social elect of the Asiatic race, all, of course, in pictures. He has appeared with practically every well-known star in screenland.
Like his illustrious countryman, Sessue Hayakawa (早川 雪洲), he has run the full gamut of silent facial emotion. Where one has been starred, it is a notorious fact that the other should have been; and yet, it would not surprise us in the least to know that George Kuwa’s name is as well known in Japan as that of Hayakawa’s.
As an example of the varied talents of Mr. Kuwa’s ability, let us name for you just a few of the successful screen vehicles in which he has played a conspicuous part.
“The Yellow Pawn,” “The Bottle Imp,” The Soul of Kura-San, Hashimura Togo, “Sick-a-Bed,” “Moran of the Lady Letty,” “Bought and Paid For,” and “The Man Unconquerable.” The above were made at Lasky’s [Jesse L. Lasky].
Let us take Goldwyn’s [Samuel Goldwyn]. He appeared with Tom Moore in “Officer 666” and “Tobey’s Bow.” From there we will cross over to Metro and show you that he participated with Viola Dana in The Willow Tree and “Glass Houses.” After this Thos. H. Ince [Thomas H. Ince] engaged him for The Cup of Life; also about this time he appeared in “The Invisible Fear,” starring Anita Stewart at the Louis B. Mayer Studio. It stands to reason that he supported William Duncan in “The Man of Might” at Vitagraph. At the same place, he also was cast in “The Woman in the Web.” Another noteworthy picture was “Nobody’s Fool” at Universal. These all indicate but a slight iota of his experience in pictures, as a relaxation from which he has appeared on the legitimate stage in Pamera and Sick-a-Bed.
Now, it’s a foregone conclusion that any one having had such experience behind him is quite capable of assuming greater acting responsibilities in the future.
We have personally known George Kuwa for some time, and have found him to be a very genial, likeable fellow. His one great fault is overenthusiasm when his pet baseball team presumably gets the worst of it from the umpire; then his geniality evaporates and he becomes a thorough war-like Sumura.
We will take a keen interest in watching his further development in Motion Pictures, of which he is a creditable member.
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The Secret Is Out
Claude McElhany writes a short story of the he-flapper.
Katherine has always been so different to me. She is altogether different than the rest of the women I go with. She lets me love her as I want to, and when I want to. She is so unusual; she is so nice!
She is so different than the rest of the women I go with.
Katherine is my wife!
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Fooling His Friends
Now when an inveterate bachelor makes up his mind that he’s too darn lonely, then it’s up to his friends to shun him effectively. Well, this happened in the case of W. Emile, the well known French fencer and actor. It evidently didn’t take any effect, for what does Emile do, but go and get married to a bunch of prettiness, and common sense, Miss Helene Kerner. This lady also participates in the movie game, and at this writing Emile is sequestered with Douglas Fairbanks [Douglas Fairbanks Sr.] in Robin Hood. This surprise party occurred on the 27th of May, and almost a full month later Emile, the writer’s friend, informed him of this fatal step against liberty, so in a manner of speaking we should be very sore, but under the circumstances, and having seen his life spouse, we all too readily forgive this gallant son of France. Close-Up wishes you both a long, happy, conjugal journey.
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They Stole Her Clothes
Madame Rose Rosanova, the Russian actress who plays the mother role in Goldwyn’s production of “Hungry Hearts,” is meeting with artistic success in California, but is also experiencing great sartorial grief. On her trip across the continent her baggage and all her clothes were lost. She replaced them, only to lose them again. Burglars broke into her Los Angeles apartment recently and stole all her clothing. They didn’t even leave her a nightie! Unfortunately, she had worn a character costume to the studio that day, so even the clothes she had on could not be used for every day wear. Valuable Chinese antiques were among the loot. The total loss was about $3,000, with no insurance.
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Please Patronize — Who Advertise — In “Close-Up”
Collection: Close Up Magazine, June 1922
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His Japanese characterizations have been favorably commented upon by critics throughout the world
George Kuwa
Japanese Character Actor
Whose screen personality enhances the value of the film offering.
Collection: Close Up Magazine, June 1922
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A Son Of Nippon Becomes a Mongolian!
The statement above sounds very much like an exaggeration, but if you will glance at the insert at the right, you behold George Kuwa, the eminent Japanese actor, as he would appear in his native land. If you see him in his nifty Buick roadster, you will observe George in the latest sartorial splendor of American civilization; in fact, he believes and acts as an American. Invariably he can be found any afternoon, in which he is not required at the studio, “rooting” like old blazes at the Washington Baseball Park for his favorite team. He is a great believer in getting good, healthy outdoor exercise as a relaxation to his strenuous efforts as an artist before the camera. The malevolent face on the left is George Kuwa as Wo-Ling in Reginald Barker’s All Star Production, “Master of Women.” The unusual characterization is the result of intense study. George didn’t spare his hair to make his interpretation more lifelike. The Editor, for one, wouldn’t under ordinary circumstances like to meet the prototype of Wo-Ling in a dark alley, and yet he knows that George is a genial individual as a rule, and a general good fellow as a whole.
George Kuwa
A reel exponent of Japanese humor, pathos and tragedy
Collection: Close Up Magazine, June 1922