The St. Louis Republic., 1900-10-07
JAMESON LEE FINNEY, THE BEST
ACTOR ST. LOUIS HAS PRODUCED.
His Own Story of His Stage Career-How His
Makeup Is Arranged.

and the transformation he was effecIng in
his appearance by the use of paint and
blond wig was astonishing.
From features OF a brunette cast ne
rapidly turned himself into blonde cf the
most pronounced type. with highly elevated
eyebrows and head OF light hair. fitting
himself for the part of the silly blond
Lord he impersonates. Through the use
OF a stick OF grease paint he changed his
complexion into the proper hue for the light
hair and then applied a coat of powder to
give a uniform hue. without letting any
OF these operations. however. interfere with
his conversation.
My stage career" he said IN response
to a question. Commenced about twelve
years ago when I started with Barrett.
There was considerable opposition rom my
relatives, who wished me to study art, but
when Barrett learned Of my desire for the
stage he offered to take me with him.
did not go through any lengthy process Of
instruction. as he believed that it was
best to start beginner in regular work at
once. and by giving me chances N small
parts to see what was good for.
Il commenced as call boy with Barrett
and soon after with the Booth and Barrett
combination. My first efforts were small
parts. such as pages and small speaking
roles. also played minor parts in Shakes
pearean productions. 1 then took the part
of Osric In Hamlet a piece which had pre-
viously been played by girl. This proved
a stepping-stone and 1 Immediately began
to receive more important parts"
He paused to give touch Of paint to his
nose with the traditional stage rabbit s
foot and then proceeded:
Barrett died soon afterwards, but I COM
pleted the season with Booth. At the end
Of the year l went abroad with AuEustin
DAILY and played in The Tanning of the
Shrew.' Upon my return decided to go in
for modern acting. and appeared in Mr..
Frohman's Joseph Elsie De Wolff was
leading lady. and took the part of Clos
sop. My vis-a-vis an this production was
Mrs. Phillips. with whom played the prin-
cipal part OF the character of Glossop.
After that I appeared in Frohman's
'Masqueraders.' My next piece was Lord
Robert Yore in The Christian where Vio-
Ia Allen was leading lady. Mr.. Mason.
who is in this company at present. played
the part OF Drake In The Christian
Three years ago 1 was in the production
of Under the Red Robe with the Empire
Stock Company. We visited this city, and
II was the first time / had seen St. Louis
since was years old. My mother and
had lived at the Southern Hotel for two or
three years before leaving this city, and In
spite OF the fact that l was SO young il
was then that / formed desire to 60 on
the stage.
My mother used to take me to the thea
ter with her. and became impressed with
the idea Of becoming an actor. ] started
as have already stated. and last season 1
appeared with the Goodwins In The Cow
boy and the Lady, My part in this piece
was Mr.. Weston.
My favorite character Of those which I
am playing this season is James Blagdon
in Wheels Within Wheels In several of
my previous appearances / have taken the
part Of the villain in the piece. and made
quite a success in that line. like variety
in parts. however. as 1 would not like to
fall into one rut in playing or become iden-
titled with one line Of characters"
He paused and proceeded TO fix blond
wig upon his head On each side Of his
forehead he had pasted triangular piece
of blonde hair to conceal the natural color
of his own. while Q fesh-colored piece Of