The San Francisco call., 1897-08-12
BELASCO'S EARLY DAYS.
Scenes Of Triumph at Lincoln
School and Irish-Ameri-
can Hall.
Many Oalifornians Who Went to New
York Years Ago Have Been
Highly Successful.

In his apartments at the Baldwin Hotel
on Sunday David Belasco received the
warm greetings OF many an old time
friend. This is the City of his birth, and
here his first achievements on the stage
were recorded and the first efforts OF his
genius recognized. Since he left San
Francisco for N ew Yo:k fifteen years ago
he has gained distinction as a writer OF
plays and stage director of acknowledged
skill.
Mr.. Belasc as he talked yesterday re-
ferred more than once to his youthful
career in San Francisco and mentioned
with no small degree of satisfaction that
the Californians who had elected to cast
their fortunes in New York had gained
rec ognitio for merit and originality. Ben
TeaPs success as Stage manager was
pleasantly dwelt upon, and the recogni-
ton which Clay NJ. Greene, Archi bald
Gunther and Edward Townsend had won
was cited as proof that Californians were
holding a prominent place in the field of
dramatic literature.
1t was said of Archie Gunther that he
was rich enough TO run poor play ii the
production pleased him, and he had
way Of backing his own Judgment against
that of the public. However, Archie
went so far once In sustaining his own
views that he put in $50, 900 more than he
received to back play which pleased him.
Ben Teal is still the possessor of deep,
magnificent voice, which he would not
part with for the riches Of the Yukon. He
is recognize success in New York, and
is a man of large affairs in the drama.
Clay Greene has genius and intervals of
industry, but is not particularly ambitious
to achieve fame or riches. He loves to
join the lambs in their delightful gam
bols and to write little skits of delicious
nonsense.
Mr. Belasco spoke modestly of his
latest and best play, "The Heart OF Mary.
land" and mentioned his desire to have
the play produced here to the best advan-
tage in every respect. The enterprise of
bringing the play to California is no small
one, as it cost $1,000 to buy railroad tickets
to bring the players to this City and an
other considerable sum of money to pay
for hauling two carloads Of scenery across
the continent The play will be pre-
sented here with the original cast, save in
one part, and in that exception the cast is
rendered stronger rather than weakened.
The piece will go to London next April to
be presented al the Adelphi heater.
Recalling his early career in San Fran
cisco Mr.. Belasco remarked: II was born
in this City and went TO the Lincoln
School, where | won many prizes for de-
claiming the MAD Man." / went down
to the schoolhouse to-day just to look at
the old familiar place. Oh, shall go to
school one day this week and take my old
seat, and ask permission to recite the
"Mad Man" as did in bygope days.
"How we'll l recall my experience on
the stage at Irish American Hall and Sar-
atoga Hail. / used to get 81 of Sunday
night at Irish American Hall, and that
paid my way into the tneater for the week
following. / went to the gallery and paid
25 cents for admission. My first play was
prod uced in this City. 1t was called Jim
Black, or the Regulators Revenge 1 dis.
1incily recall the opening of the Baldwin
Theater and my first recognition there"
With the exception of one brief visit
about three years ago Mr.. Belasco has not
been here for fourteen years, but his
former associates-the 400 boys who went
to the Lincoln School when he did and
who crowded the Metropolitan rheater
when he made mis- debut-have noted his
successful career and r, ioiced in his
trium phs. MANY questions were asked by
the play wright Concerning the audiences
and the critics of San. Francisco. The
late George E. Barnes was kindly spoken
of as one who had been helpful to young
men in the dramatic profession.
Many of David Belasco's plays have
heen highly successful, notably The
Wife," 'Charitv Ball. "Men and
Women" and 1.-THE Girl l Left Behind
Me-" yet he is strong in his opinion that
1.-The Heart OF Mary land'' is the best OF
all. As it represents his highest efforts
his old home in the the most elaborate
and acceptable style. He arrived from
the East on the Central overland yester.
daV.