I wanted to be a tragedienne. I only wanted sad parts. When mother
read the press notices when I was on the road, saying I was a
'comedienne', the tears rolled down my cheeks. I thought comedians had
to have black on their faces or red beards.
One producer told me of an experience he had when he was showing a picture of the French Revolution. He overheard one girl say to another that she did not want to be educated about the French revolution and that she was fed up until the love scenes came along. The little servant girl and the little shop-girl of America want see pictures where 'Lady Mary' comes majestically into a room full of servants with disdain and has a tray full of bath salts brought to her in her magnificent bathroom so she may select that which pleases her for the day.
[on why she turned down a million dollar offer from Paramount in 1919] At my age all that money would ruin my character.