HE filled a long-felt want when he came along on the screen, for young
Wesley Barry popularized freckles to such an extent that every mother who
previously shook an anxious head over her bespeckled offspring began to
"swell with pride" and to fondly regard her ugly duckling as something
quite the thing.
Wesley is not only all American, but he is an all film lad, for he was
born right in Hollywood, August 10, 1907, the day that the sky presented
such a mottled appearance. And Hollywood is the other name for motion pictures.
He grew up the natural kind of boy which he now portrays upon the screen.
He protested, "Aw, Gee!" when ordered to wash his neck, carried
a regulation frog-sticker, and pursued the bad boys who yelled, "Freckle
face!"
When he was seven years old, a young director was attracted either by
his terrific supply of freckles or the plaintive, human face, and put him
at work on the old Kalem "lot." He did not become known until
later, however, for producers insisted that all subjects cover facial blemishes
with grease paint. But Marshall Neilan took Wesley and put him on the screen,
freckles and all, to say nothing of spears of hair, waving at crosspurposes
with the rest of the mop.
Thus was "Freckles" Barry born on the screen. After six years
of hard work, during which the public watched more and more for the reappearance
of that hespeckled face, Wesley became a star in his own right. 'Dinty"
put him over with great success. This was followed by "Penrod."
Later screen productions which served him as starring vehicles are "School
Days," "Rags to Riches" and "Heroes of the Street,"
Warner specials.
Wesley has not neglected his education, He has studied constantly under
a tutor from the Hollywood High School. He expects to go to college later.
He has blue eyes, red hair and weighs 110 pounds. |