Item Info

Publication Date: 11/28/1913
Media Type: House Organs
Source: Theatre Collection
Notes:

Miss Lottie Briscoe

   Lottie Briscoe, one of the leading ladies of the Lubin Studio, has the advantage of playing opposite to Arthur Johnson. Having been an actress since she was four years old, and in her short life – for she is still very young – she has crowded a vast amount of very valuable experience. After playing in many successes Miss Briscoe was fortunate enough to secure an engagement with the late Richard Mansfield. She regards her engagement with that great actor as the most pleasant one of her career. Miss Briscoe played in most of Mansfield’s productions, and was the original Essie in George Bernard Shaw’s play, “The Devil’s Disciple.” In those days there were no children’s societies to protest against child-actresses, but the Gerry Society being formed when Miss Briscoe was playing “Puck” in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” she was prevented from appearing. To soothe her Mr. Gerry presented her with a ten-dollar gold piece which Miss. Briscoe flung back at him with the remark that she would rather “play Puck than have all his money.” Her next engagement was as Dick in “The Two Little Vagabonds,” and after starring in this part, she joined a stock company with which she played until a moving-picture producer offered her an engagement. The engagement lasted until the summer of 1911, when Miss Briscoe paid a visit to England. On her return to American she was engaged by Mr. Lubin to play with Arthur Johnson, which engagement, as every “fan” knows, has been more than successful. Miss Briscoe prefers picture acting to stage work. She thinks her hours, 9:30 to 5:30 easier than Stock Company times, and the work is quite congenial. One of the worries of picture acting, she finds, is the selection of suitable clothes. In a recent film she wore no less than fourteen different costumes, each one of which had to be very carefully thought out. Her wardrobe, necessarily is a very extensive one. Twice every week Miss. Briscoe goes to see the releases of Lubin and other prominent companies. She is thus able to check any faults or mannerisms that may creep into her work. Amusements – she has few; for the very good reason that she has no time to spare. As already stated Lottie is very fond of her work, and she holds a very high opinion of Arthur Johnson’s acting. She finds the demand for Johnson-Briscoe films very gratifying, as her stay in England convinced her that English audiences are not easily pleased. Going by chance to a theatre near Charing Cross, Miss Briscoe was delighted to see herself on the screen, for it brought home to her the fact which she regards as the most compensating part of picture work – when you do please, you please millions.

Call Number: Lubin - Bulletin I:2