Item Info

Publication Date: 9/30/1914
Media Type: House Organs
Source: Theatre Collection
Notes:

Motion pictures have no more interesting or lovable “old man” characters than “Uncle Ned” Barbour. His wonderfully human portrayals of the roles assigned to him have won him as high a place in the silent drama as he held for years upon the legitimate stage, and many photoplay patrons are asking for his history. 

This is what Mr. Barbour says about himself: “I was indifferent as a country school teacher, unpromising as a lawyer, so with a little money at my command I bought a half-interest in a fly-by-night theatrical outfit and became a manager. Finding that it took real money to pay royalties I conceived the idea of writing my own plays. ‘Antietam,’ a war play, was the first and, if possible, the worst; but they endured it for a while and in kindness I slipped by. 

“And then I became an actor, Some of my company wanted money occasionally, while I must act without — and I did. After a while the rough edge of real experience rounded me out and I found myself among those who know nothing of my humble origin, and lo! I was a real actor. 

“By keeping my head shut about many things, and by a bit of judicious bragging here and there, I finally forced myself on to the notice of several important managers who allowed me to get by with such parts as Seth Preene in ‘Lights o’ London,’ Dunstan Kirke in ‘Hazel Kirke,’ etc., without creating any special disturbance. In fact, I became spoken of as the ‘old man’ of the company before I had passed my twenty-sixth birthday. 

“In the meantime I had dramatized Rider Haggard’s ‘She’ and it had created much comment and made a lot of money on the road. 

“My next play, ‘The Land of the Midnight Sun,’ created something of a sensation the next season, after which, in collaboration with J. W. Harkins, Jr., ‘Northern Lights,’ ‘The White Squadron’ and several other plays found more or less favor with the public. 

“And during all these years I bid for favor on the stage as an actor of many prominent roles in the support of stars and as a leading men in stock companies. About three years ago I drifted into Lubin’s haven of rest where I have been kindly permitted to remain ever since.” 

In mentioning his work as author and producer, however, Mr. Barbour modestly neglects to emphasize the fact that more than a dozen of his plays were the biggest hits of their day, “Northern Lights,” “Antietam” and “The White Squadron” striking the chord of public approval so strongly as to bring forth dozens of imitations. 

Uncle Ned did not come to the movies because he was “done” as a legitimate actor, but because the same energy that made him leave his home in Kansas at the age of fifteen and join the army to fight Indians in the West, is still with him, and like any other “young feller” he wanted to get in on something new and make a go of it. Besides his excellent acting he has contributed many valuable scenarios to the Lubin Company. Probably the most successful of his photoplays is the five-reel Lubin Feature, “When the Earth Trembled” — and Uncle Ned is only getting started. 

Call Number: Lubin - Bulletin I:16