The K. & E. pictures were going to be “dressed up,” and we were being allowed about seventy-five dollars for gowns. Miss Gish’s selection at Mme. Frances’s was price-tagged eighty-five dollars; so back to the studio flew Miss Gish. With as much pep as she had, which wasn’t so much, she slunk up to her director and coaxingly said:
“Mr. Griffith, I must have that dress, it’s just beautiful; it’s just what I must have for the part, and it costs eighty-five dollars.”
“Who in the world ever heard of eighty-five dollars for a dress?”
“I don’t care—now—I’ve got to have it.”
“Don’t bother me—it’s too expensive—we cannot afford it.”
Then growing bolder, as she followed him about she reached for his coat-tail, and twisting it and shaking it she implored:
“Oh, please, Mr. Griffith, buy me that dress.”
“Will you get away?”
“Well, I won’t play in the picture if you don’t get me that dress—I’ve got to have it.”
“All right, for heaven’s sake, get the dress—but don’t bother me.”