Ben Turpin(1869-1940)

Turpin had a reputation as being somewhat argumentative with directors. One day while he was making a film at Sennett Studios, he was giving one director quite a bit of trouble. Exasperated, the director said, "One more word from you, Ben, and I'll uncross your eyes!" (it was commonly believed at the time that a sharp blow to the head could cause crossed eyes to uncross). Terrified of losing his claim to fame, Turpin was compliant for the rest of the day. Mack Sennett himself heard the exchange, and from then on whenever Turpin started acting up on the set, Sennett would make the same threat, and Turpin would immediately behave himself.