It was Miss Bartholomew who dis
covered his talent and encouraged him
to memorize and deliver readings when
he was so small she had to stand beside
the chair from which lie gave them
to prevent his falling off. Later, he ap
peared on the London stage and in a
few British films.
It was a year ago that Freddie read
an English newspaper account of the
search for a boy to play the role of
David Copperfield on the screen.
“That’s my part!” he told his aunt,
and urged permission to apply for It.
Because receiving it would mean a
trip to America, Miss Bartholomew did
not give in at first, and when she did
the only place left to apply for the role
was in California. Spurred on by
Freddie, the two set out for "the States.”
where they discovered to their dismay
that more than 10,000 small boys had
applied for the coveted part.
