Only a month ago we came across one of these old bulletins in a dingy East Side printing shop. Honest, cross our heart, we are neither spoofing nor joshing—there were three hundred pound would-be ingenues and Ben Turpin doubles who aspired to play handsome heroes. Bleating boobs waited in hourly anticipation of a wire from David Griffith—“I saw your photo in Brennan’s Bulletin and must have you to play the lead in my next picture.”
In vaudeville parlance “Director Brennan” was working a “single” act then. Coming down to the Fall of 1920 we find him “doubling in brass.” If you are a silly sucker anxiously fearing that you may escape your fate we are about to show you how easy it has been made for you. Director Brennan is playing both ends against the middle—for your convenience. And—“if you don’t find what you want ask for it.”
In the New York Evening Mail we renewed our acquaintance with Director Brennan one night by reading the following ad:
GET INTO THE WONDER INDUSTRY OF THE WORLD.
The motion picture producing business. Hundreds of fortunes have been made and are being made in it. Successful motion picture playwright and director offer part ownership in a series of powerful, emotional plays for the screen, entitled “When Dreams Come True,” “Time Will Tell” and “Inspector Flynn.” I’ve got the plays, the experience, the organization and the facilities for producing up to date pictures with the real punch in them. No stock jobbing scheme. No agents. Principals only. See me personally.
Director BRENNEN, 2 West 123d st., N. Y. C.
The following morning we picked up the Illustrated News to find this burning message:
A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE GOOD IN PICTURES.
If you have the talent to act in pictures and can qualify I will put you on the screen and register your type and personality in a series of scenes, flashes and close-ups running from 200 to 500 feet and record your screen adaptability; a wonderful chance for a few ambitious beginners of both sexes to make good in pictures. Director Brennan, New Idea Films, 2 West 123d street.