The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-04
PRAISES THE TRAGEDIAN.
Says He Was a Genius and the
Gentlest of Men.
MISS NELSON'S woNDRoUs EYES
They Were Magnetic Eyes That
Seemed to Be Everywhere
at Once.

Tom Keene. the well-known actor, who
nearly two decades ago was the delight of
the audiences OF the old California Thea
ter, loves TO recall old memories of those
happy golden days. He was the leading
man in that famous stock company when
Edwin Booth p aged his great engagement
here. Mccullough was young and strong
in those days, and three men, Booth,
Mccullough and Keene, aterna ted in the
three mighty roles in julius C8sar-CAs-
sins, Brutus and Mark Antony. Keene's
mind reverted to that memorable period
last evening after King Richard had
ceased 20 lord it over the English and the
lights in the theater were out. During his
interesting retrOspection he became quite
eloquent 10 discussing Booth. "He was
the gentlest, most modest and unassum-
Ing man that | ever knew" he said. He
was all kindness, and l am positive he
never did petty act. He would assist
the members of his company in their
parts, and if they were aDpla uded or
praised he was delighted. He would
| never dispute for a position on the stage,
but always yielded. To sum him up, he
was genius, and 1 never knew a genius
who was boastful. l am afraid that we
for genius now is talent hammered out
so finely that il is often mistaken for the
divine spark.
There have been many absurd
reasons given for MIR. Booths death while
yet so young, but he really wore himself
out with melancholy. He lived so much
within himself. When he was with his
friends he was happy. but the moment hr
was alone he brooded Hamlet-like. Hrs
life to him was nothing but trouble and
disappointment The first blow that he
received was the assassination OF Lincoln
by his brother. Then when he thought he
could establish theater in New York and
settle down for life he found himself a
bankrupt obliged TO 60 out into the world
| again TO earn his bread. So be had
nothing but ups and downs and he died of
| broken heart He paid for his genius
by feeling too intensely.
''lt was Booth who suggested TO me that
| take up the legitimate drama. One day
he said Tom, the country needs a new
tragedian. l wish you'd study a dozen of
these parts, 60 to Australia and play
year and then come back here. l think
you'll succeed That was the first time |
had ever thought of it and in little while
l followed his ADVICE"
MIR. keene supported Nine. MOdleska
when she made her debut here and he was
the first Eng liSh-spaaking Romeo that she
ever had. Adelaide Nelson, TOO, was one
of the actresses that Mr.. sKeene knew
especially we'll He said: 'She had the
most marvellous eyes | ever saw. They
were very like perfectly painted picture.
! They seemed to be looking at each person
! in the room. il must have been some
| magnetic quality peculiar 10 them, for |
| don't know now what color they were.
When she was on the stage she gave each
man, woman and child the impression that
she was gazing directly at them. | could
not understand it, SO | sat in front and it
seemed that l waa the only person she
saw, when she didn't know l was there"
MIR. keeBe was abroad last summer. He
| Travelled about Denmark with an historian
looking Tor relics OF Hamlet, and he spoke
in warmest praise of those who control
| the museums. For a foreign student they
nut themselves 10 great trouble. Mr..
keene found some old coins with Hamlet
engraved on them, SO there is soma slight
foundation of the belief that he did exist.
HI also went to Hamlers supposed grave,
hut the people about there have firm
con ylction that if the moody prince lived
at all he is buried in JuIland. So ii was
| will-o'thc-wisD chase for Hamet's grave,
although one very interesting.
Mr.. keene thinks that the public is firing
of comedy and there will soon be a re-
vival of the legitimate. II don't suppose
l ought to say IT, for the newspapers have
been most kind 10 me. bat l think the
! critics have had great deal 70 do with
the Shakespearean style of plays. They
rarely seem to think il necessary
to burlesque bad comedian.
| but almost the instance that n
young tragedian appears he is greeted with
satire and ridicule. He is fortunate if he
is cot Dooted off the stage. Critics don't
| seem to realize what they are doing by
| that sort of work. They discourage
| serious. earnest actors, who have aims
above mediOcrlty, and allow the comedians
| who make their living by falling down or
| talking with lisp To flourish. Actors, [
am sure. do not object TO careful criticism.
l never am angry when a thoughtful
| writer tells me what do badly and what
well. 1t Is the preiudiced critics VINO harm
| the actors. They nave two or three idols
and they will not admit that there ara any
| others worthy of even their complete at
tenion for one evening. Now, mind, |
don't object TO truth, only like the whole
! of it. Often l have taken suggestions from
| critics to my great advantage"
| AS Keenn grows older there is strik-
| ing resemblance between him and the late
| Edwin Booth. Except that there is a hap
| pier expression about Mr. keene's mouth,
the nose, eyes, forehead and general effect
| is quite the same. 1t is strange enough to
| be an argument in favor of The belief held
by many that the occupation and thoughts
mold the face. There Is more reason for
this theory too than one would at first
think, for it is put reason, that if one
studies Shakespeare thoroughly enough
Tor years to be successful in pOrtraying
characters. the students features will lake
on dignity and depth of expression that
otherwise might not have come TO them.
Mrs. Keene always travels with her
husband, and she was here when he was
| such favnrite at the old California, and
she sad: ''Those six years that we spent
here were the hapDiest of my life Our
only son waa born 10 San Francisco, and
he is young man now about TO enter
Columbia College. New York City,"
In reply 10 the question Mr.. Keene
said: Il hope he hasn't any ability for the
stage. 1t Is too hard work unless one Is
very successful OF course when a man
starts well he has a little bed of roses wi h
great many thorns. l can't tell which is
more fficuit, to win success or to hold it
after one has 1t"