“Although I dislike Moving Pictures, I am going to continue playing in them. Not for the money they bring, but because I feel that there muse be something fascinating in them that I haven’t yet found out.” — Florence Reed
Source: Hazel Simpson Naylor (1917)
“I have done 13 pictures, and have not yet been able to reconcile myself to doing without the voice.” — Florence Reed
Source: Hazel Simpson Naylor (1917)
“I arise at seven-thirty, leave for the studio at eight, play in pictures from ten to four. Four days a week we rehearse ‘Chu Chin Chow.’ I reach home at seven, and see my husband for dinner-hour – oh, but you mustn’t say dinner-hour – merely say at dinner, for I cannot spare time for a whole hour.” — Florence Reed
Source: Hazel Simpson Naylor (1917)
Photo: 1917. At this point in time, she worked simultaneously in films and the Manhattan Opera Company.
“Well, everything I know about pictures Herbert Brenon taught me. That is why my ‘Today’ was such a success. Herbert Brenon‘s great slogan is ‘Don’t jerk.’ I always have my maid hide herself behind the Cooper-Hewitts and look for jerks. I promised her five dollars every time she finds one.” — Florence Reed
Source: Hazel Simpson Naylor (1917)
“One of the things I object to so much in pictures, besides the limited scope of the camera (I don’t like being hemmed in by a six-foot camera range), is the attention one has to pay to fine details, each tiny minutia shows up so plainly. On the stage, I always act to get the big effects, in the same manner as an artist would paint with a broad, sweeping brush. When I undertook pictures I found that I must change. My method which had been so effective on the stage didn’t even register on the screen. Naturally I am volcanic, dynamic, and I found that I had to learn to be negative, quiet. I had to learn reserve, poise.” — Florence Reed
Source: Hazel Simpson Naylor (1917)
Photo: 1917
“Whatever I do must be done to the very best of my ability, and for that reason, in spite of the fact that stage work is my life, my magnum opus, I made up my mind I was going to master the art of picture-playing. Of all the photoplays I have done, the only one that nearly satisfied me was ‘The Eternal Sin.’ It evidently pleased others also, for after its premiere I received magnificent offers from practically every producer, including three yearly contracts, two of which were to form my own company. But I don’t approve of a star trying to run everything. I think it is enough to concentrate on giving a perfect rendition of my part (although I always pass on the scenario). But I want an efficient corps back of me – people who know their business as well as I know mine, which is acting, and not producing. Why any star wants to assume the whole responsibility is beyond me. Perhaps there is method in my unassuming ‘madness,’ however, for if there is a failure or anything goes wrong, I don’t want people to point to me and say, ‘Well, you did it; it’s your fault.’ Concentrate, say I, concentrate on your own specialty and don’t try to do a little bit of everything.” — Florence Reed
Source: Hazel Simpson Naylor (1917)
Photo: The Eternal Sin (1917)
“Pleasure! Why, my dear, my greatest pleasure is acting. If you mean when do I play – why, never. I have no desire to fritter away any time. If you mean when do I get my recreation, I’ll tell you; mainly on Sunday evenings. Every Sunday evening, Mr. Williams and I hold open house.” — Florence Reed
Source: Hazel Simpson Naylor (1917)
