Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-06-16

win. who is now playing successfully
In Henry Guy Cartoons new comedy,
"a Gilded Fool" Mr.. Goodwin Is but
80 years old. yet he outranis many an
actor of more years and experience.
and may fairly claim to have achieved
the proud distinction of being one of
the leading comedians Of America.
Mr. Goodwin Is a native of boston,
and his tastes naturally led him to
career on the stage from his early
youth. AS boy he dreamed of be-
coming great tragadian, whose fame |
should rival that of the elder Booth, II |
not eclipse II. Shakespeare was his |
constant companion, and his recita- |
tions in school and out were marvels |
of elocution. With all his hopes Of
achieving fame as tragedian he was
too sensible young man TO expect |
to land at bound at the top round of
the ladder of success. He realized that
he must begin at the bottom and grad
ually work up and his first essay rad
a disastrous result that would have
forever quenched the ardor Of a less
energetic and persistent inan.
Mr., GOodwin's ilrst appearance was
| at the Providence ar. H. Theatre, then
under the management Of William
| Henderson, In November, 1873. He had
| been engaged to play second Juvenile
| business, and his trst part was that Ct
| Sir George In n play unknown to this
generation called The Bottle" The
| youth had plenty Of confidence in him
| self at rehearsal. but when he stepped
before the footlignts to Seize the lovely
lady which. with n short speech was
about all he had to 10, he was seized
with terrible attack OF stage fright.
His tongue was lied 10 the roof of his
mouth, and nc could not utter n word.
The embarrassing situation ended with
his falling unconscious to the stage,
and he took the first train home to
I RnGtnn md In, al 80
that he had clearly mistaken his pro-
fession, suggesting that they find him
place in IA shoe shop.
Young Goodwin, however, soon recov-
cred from the depressing effects of
this shock. and he went to work with
energy and determination to make the
position to which he felt that his ge-
MUS entitled him. He now turned to
burlesque, which has been the starting
point OF nearly every comedian who
has ever amounted to anything. He
secured an engagement in the Evan
geline Company, and the first part of
any consequence that was entrusted To
him was that of La Blanc; and his
: name has ever since been linked to this
jolly character as that OF It's best in
terpreter. Then he played the Pirate
: Chief in "The Corsair." part which
, II 1t did not practically advance him In
: his career, added to his experience
which was the one thing needful al
, this period. With THE Corsair" h,
i considered his preliminary education
in the field of burlesque ended, and h,
, now began to turn his attention to I
= higher class Of work in farce an(
comedy.
I Hobbies" was his first effort in Thu
d direction. and his work at once at
tracted the notice OF the critics and IN
g public, by both of whom it was favor
/ ably received, But there was a linger
= Ing trace of burlesque In Hobbies
which was entirely wiped away In hi
next play, Confusion" where, In tn
role of Christopher Blizzard he con
fined himself entirely to the field q
genteel comedy. His success in mi
character was complete and emphatic
and the word went abroad from on
end of the land to the other, that tn
coming American comedian had bee
found, that legitimate comedy was No
to die with Jefferson and Owens. bu
that worthy successor had airead
appeared.
OF course. Mr.. Goodwin had nc
achieved perfection at this time. bt
he had given unmistakable proof this
perfection was within his grasp, an
that he was the kind Of man Wi
would never rest until he had reache
| the goal set for himself SO quick
= had his fame spread that he was /,
vited to appear at the great Clncinnr
dramatic festival, at which only acfn,
Of established fame were seen. He n,
cepted the call. and played Modus
The Hunchback' and the First GRAY
digger In Hamlet" receiving the mo
cordial praise for his work in these tv
widely differing characters. Then
played IN Lend lie Five Shilling
and "Gringbire" and "The Gold Mine
ny establishing his versatility as an aet
-, and proving that he was equal to Ii
OK requirements Of pure comedy, that
e, could touch pathos as feelingly as
iu could interpret wit and humor II
reputation was now established bevo,
UT the fear OF disaster, and he made
trip. TO Europe, capturing the sta
US critics OF London as completely az
az hal those OF his native land. His To
don season was the most sucoessf
r. attistically and financially, OF that
les any American actor who has array
ID the criticisms OF foreign country.