The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
WALLOP At CORBETT
FROM fits CHORUS
You're All Right, Bobby" Stirs
a Clean in the Eyes of the
Pugilist Actor.
WILL SING TWO SONGS
Lanky Bob's Prominent Part in
the New Play, "Peck and His
Mother-in-Law."
WILL SING TWO SONGS

NEW YORK, Dec. 19.-If any misguided
person should imagine Robert Fitzsimmons
is not taking seriously his elevation OF the
stage. that individual need only call at Cen
trail Hall, where the Peck and Mis- Mother
ir-Law" rehearsals are being conducted, to
observe the manner in which the ruby
topped pugilist-actor lands on the drama
and beats 1t into a protesting pulp.
In q small room on the third floor the
rehearsal is being done. There yesterday
Fitzsmmons and Mrs. Fftzsimmons sat
about in their wraps and saw the chorus go
through it's work.
Fitz made a few suggestions and Mrs.
Fitzsimmons rehearsed a song or two with
the chorus and then went on with the gen.
eral business. She is to play Mrs. Peck.
incidentally If Robert Fitzsimmons. the
Hermit of Bensonhurst, ever becomes a
really, truly actor he will have to thank
his wife for 1t.
But the rehearsal itself was eminently
satisfactory. To begin with Fitzsimmons
never heard of the fever known as stage
fright, and would not recognize it II 1t
rushed in front of him and made signs.
He has two Of the songs in the piece, and
marvel of marvels,-he has a decidedly
Alstyne wrote a song for him, and went to
the hall yesterday afternoon to try it with
the fighter. 1t is known as You're All
Right. Eddie" and after hearing the music
played over few times, Fitzsimmons
tackled the words and managed to get
through them without any serious faux
pas
The song has been arranged so that when
Fitzsimmons takes an encore boy In the
gallery will sing parodied version Of the
chorus, while Ruby Robert remains upon
the stage and bows.
The chorus for this feature is to run as
follows:
You're all right, Bobby,
You're my hobby,
Back to the lobby with Corbett, oh!
You've fought the fighters
And beat the pikers,
And you're the fellow for all my dough-"
Backed by a respondent chorus of women
in long costumes and men in dress suits,
Robert Frtzsimmons. pugilist-acto will
hear these lines with avid cast of
countenance in his proposed new play,
Peck and His Mother-in-law."
To watch the pleased smile come over the
Cornishman's face when this verse is sung.
even at the rehearsals, Is worth a long walk.
1t is but fair to remark that the lines as
the writer's handed them over named
Sharkey. Fitz SHE'D at this, however, and
said
Nix, Sharkey's not bad sort 1 want
a wallop at Corbett. Put his name in
there"
1t was done Immediately, and the song
was rehearsed with that change. Then
long discussion was held as to the manner
in which the song should be put on. II
was finally decided that twelve girls and six
men dressed as above indicated should do
the chorus with him.
Fitzsimmons himself rather fancies Fitz-
simmons in evening clothes anyway, and
his wife particularly admires the set of his
shoulders in claw-hammer coat Then
the chorus business was rehearsed for the
song.
Next week there will be little of the real
acting done by F'itz. Further than the sing
ing OF a couple of songs the fighter will
merely content himself with giving bag
punching exhibition. He is studying his
part, however, and will assume the chief
role a week from Monday. In explanation
of this. Fitz said yesterday:
You can hardly expect a man to get up
in big part like that in n few days This
is a serious business with me. i am going
to take my time about II. A week from
Monday / am going on in that part and
am going to make good in ii, too"
Apparently he means il, what is more
The champion light heavyweight is going to
win this fight II he never makes another eff
fort.