Volume I: Narrative History

Chapter 9: 1916 What Doris Did

On March 1st What Doris Did, a Than-O-Play drama, told the story of Doris Grey who became an actress by winning a prize put up by the Thanhouser Film Corporation at the Boston Exhibitors' Ball the preceding December. Doris Grey herself took the title role in the film, while Florence LaBadie, Harris Gordon, and others lent support. Borrowed from other studios were Cissy Fitzgerald (she of the famous wink), Edward Earle, Charles E. Kimball, and Hal Forde. The marshaling of the guest artists and the filming did not work out as smoothly as planned, as a tongue-in-cheek article in The Moving Picture World Note graphically related:

WHAT RUBY DID - A Comedy in Eight Hours Produced at New Rochelle and Thereabouts - How Five Reporters Became Actors:

The title of this comedy of newspaper life is What Ruby Did. It was enacted last week at the Thanhouser studio and on the road between New York and New Rochelle, Leon Rubenstein playing the leading role, supported by Cissy Fitzgerald, Edward Earle, Charles E. Kimball, Hal Forde, and others - five newspaper men, if you please.

SCENE 1. Office in which scattered papers denote great activity. Ruby, seated before desk, dictates a note to a stenographer, naming the Hotel Hermitage, New York, as the place and eleven o'clock Tuesday morning as the time for the gathering of a party of newspaper men bound for New Rochelle to play reporters in What Doris Did, a picture featuring Doris Grey, selected as the most beautiful girl at the Boston Exhibitors' Ball. The reporters are asked to bring evening clothes.

SCENE 2. Lobby of Hotel Hermitage at 11:15 Tuesday morning. Casual loungers reading the morning papers. Young man with suitcase glances around expectantly and, seeing no one he knows, finds seat on lounge. Presently another young man, also with suitcase, repeats much the same business. Ruby enters hastily at 11:20 and gathers the party of five, including two men seated on the lounge. He addresses them collectively.

CUT IN. "We Will Start Right Away."

Ruby exits into café. Men standing in group converse, indicating the exchange of brilliant repartee.

INSERT. Fifteen Minutes Later.

SCENE 3. Same as No. 2.

Men in group register impatience. Ruby enters, accompanied by Cissy Fitzgerald, Charles E. Kimball, and Hal Forde. Expressions on the faces of waiting men brighten.

INSERT. "Now We're Off."

SCENE 4. In front of hotel.

Party is distributed in three cars - one rickety taxi, one antiquated limousine, one modern limousine. Reporters enter the two first mentioned.

SCENES 5 TO 10. Glimpses of merry party enroute.

SCENE 11. In front of Edison Studio.

Three reporters exit from taxi and look for other machines.

CUT IN. Ten minutes later.

Antiquated limousine draws up to curb and party of newspaper men is complete as in hotel lobby. Faces again indicate impatience.

CUT IN. "Where Is Ruby?"

Modern limousine appears. Ruby jumps out. Much activity. Driver of taxi goes for gasoline. Edward Earle shakes hands with reporters.

CUT IN. Ten minutes later.

Taxi returns - Mr. Earle enters car with reporters and three machines move up road.

INSERT. Some time later.

SCENE 12. Thanhouser Studio.

Actors and actresses, electricians and property boys are moving about. Reporters meet Director George Foster Platt and Doris Grey. There is much conversation and glancing at watches.

SCENE 13. Dining Hall at Pepperday Inn.

Ruby at head of table presides over an elaborate luncheon - animation increasing with each course, and reaches a climax in impromptu dancing.

SCENE 14. Thanhouser studio (set in duplication of Exhibitors' Ball).

Reporters, in evening dress and otherwise, stand around with extras waiting their turn to be used by Director Platt.

CUT IN. One hour later. Reporters still waiting.

CUT IN. Two hours later. Reporters still waiting.

CUT IN. Two hours and one half later. Reporter looks uneasily at watch, then approaches Messrs. Platt and Rubenstein. Brief conversation - Ruby nods.

CUT IN. "In Five Minutes."

Consultation among volunteer extras while ball scenes are being photographed.

INSERT. Five-thirty o'clock.

SCENE 15. Platform for Reception Committee.

Doris Grey shakes hands with newspaper men.

SCENE 16. Outside of Thanhouser Studio (rain and darkness).

Mr. Earle and three reporters with bags enter taxi.

INSERT. One hour later.

SCENE 17. Taxi with punctured tire at curb of deserted road. Chauffeur and reporters confer dejectedly. Chauffeur examines tire and then looks up.

CUT IN. "It's too bad I ain't got the stuff to mend it." Passengers gather luggage and disappear in the night.

SCENES 18 TO 50. Wet streets unpeopled save for three figures plodding onward.

SCENE 51. The Third Avenue Elevated Road.