JOHN A. MEIGHAN once looked forward to having his son called "doctor"
by the people of his home town and lives to see him called "Tommy"
by a nation!
Thomas Meighan calls Pittsburgh "home," although it must be
difficult to know just where home is to a man who keeps traveling back and
forth from Atlantic to Pacific to make motion pictures. But it was in Pittsburgh
that Tommy was born, attended school; and it was Pinsburgh that encouraged
the youthful Thomas on his first stage appearance.
After Tommy had quit school he expressed the opinion that he would like
to go on the stage. Meighan, Sr., with that paternal advice which is always
well intended, argued for a career as a physician. Dad is reconciled now,
although he couldn't see it when Thomas slipped off as an extra man with
Henrietta Crossman who was playing in Pittsburgh in "Mistress Nell."
Tommy broke into the movies in the same manner an escaped lion breaks
into his cage. The bait was hung up, his attention was attracted to it,
and he just walked quietly in and began to make pictures. He was playing
in London in "Broadway Jones" at the time and had been on the
stage for ten years. Samuel Goldwyn made him an offer. He didn't accept
that first, offer. he came back to America and played "On Trial,"
in Chicago.
When the season closed Tommy was again approached and asked if he had
changed his mind. Tommy hadn't, but did. That was seven years ago. He went
right out to Hollywood and his first part was in the George Medford production,
"The Fighting Hope." Laura Hope Crews was the leading woman. Then
they cast him in the Cecil B. Dc Mille production, "Kindling,"
with Charlotte Walker. From that time on he had a continued screen career.
Mr. Meighan is six feet tall, and weighs 190 pounds. He always was fond
of swimining, walking and riding, and has made all these things a regular
part of his daily regime. instead of an occasional pastime. |