The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-31
=. ..I

James X. Hackett. who has left the
Frohmans and is nov starring under his
.Qwn management. may well be consider
.ed the most interesting figure In the Am
cricsn drama Of the day. In a compara-
as dslineator OF small parts and under
studied prominent actors In leading New
York companies. starred unser the man
asement OF Daniel Frohman for three
years. and finally become representa-
tive American actor-mansger; while the
men whose important roles he once un-
derstudIed are struggling along in the
same old rat.
His remarkably brilliant career surely
represents the best example OF that
dreaded America nism." which worries
Europe from a staseland point OF view.
lie is the most distinctively American OF
all our actors; his father James II.
Hacketf, having been a famous actor In
this. his native country, before him. The
young man like his father has had the
potent advantage OF more than ordi-
narily pleasing personality 10 back up
his talent Both on and of the stage he
impresses his listeners with being pos
sessed Of unusual force and ability.
The present Mr. Hackett OF Thespian
fame. Is also like unto mis- paternsl par
ent in his general habits. He Is a very
versatile young man. for although born
actor. inheriting from -i44E-fs+her a fond
ness for the stage. he has turned his
hand 20 many things. and each time with
success. He is but % years OF age. never
theless, he has achieved a position among
stellar lights parallel 20 men many years
older.
Young Hackett graduated from the
Collese OF the City OF New York. taking
his degree Of A. T. IN 1891. Prior To that
time his theatrical efforts had been those
OF brilliant and popular amateur. After
graduating he undertook the study OF
law but for several reasons. the chief OF
which was Illness. he gave this up Being
hard pressed financially he turned 10 the
stage. which had always been his favor
ite pursuit and where he was destined TO
Immediately find himself In his element.
His rapid rise is so recent that the steps
by which he has advanced are familiar
20 the public.
IL would seem that "A man who worked
hard enough Ia achieve such sudden and
uneauivocsl success would find time for
little else than the pursuit OF his profes-
sion. With Hackett. however. such has
not been the case. A present he is oc-
cupying much of HIS spare time IN com
piling life Of his father, whose position
az an actor and business man or emf
nenceS brought him much in contact with
prominent men OF his day, both in Eng
land and America.
He is a good hand at most all the
sports. and 81 will be recalled by older
college men that in ~ he Was president
OF the intercollegiate Athletic associa-
tion. Swordsmanship, IL has so ehanced
has played prominent part in most OF
the roles in which Hackett has been most
successful. and there is no actor who
handles this awkward weapon with truer
ease and grace But OF all Mr.. Hackett
amusements, shooting is probably his IA
vorlte. and never does he let an opportu-
nifty escape him In the proper season tc
spend a day IN the field.
Mr.. Hackett is a man Of sll-round gen.
/ eral education, but this does not imply
/ supernciality lie studies deeply. He be
/ lieves that mentally as we'll physical
/ " the old axiom, that the less canno
! contain the greater, hold true, and tha
! therefore until one has entirely familiar
! tied himself with the scenes and envir
| onment OF the individual whose eharacte
| he Is TO portray, he cannot give propei
| representation.