The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-20
He way of the manager who con-

HE way of the manager who con-
trolls the services of a popular
theatrical star may be strewn with
roses of gold, but the roses are not
without their thorns; and the thorns
which prick most pertinaciously are
apt to be the peculiarities, the fads,
the whims and the caprices Of the
star.
Fads and caprices are by no means
the hallmark of the actress exclusive
ly. Every woman may lay claim to
them, dormant or active. But the
feminine star considers that she has
reached that point where she may in
dulge fads and caprices and where
her lightest wish should be law. Usu-
ally of highly strung, intense nature,
she takes herself very seriously, and
expects her manager to do the same.
Many Of the most amusing comedies
in the theatrical world are not enacted
for the public eye, but the managers
Office or the stars dressing room form
the stage, with no auditor save the
manager, his trusted secretary or the
stars maid
A frequent cause Of trouble between
manager and star is the latter's atti
tude toward representatives of the
press. When an actress is in the
ranks, she counts as precious every
picture and line regarding her work
which appears in the papers. She will
break almost any engagement to pose
at the photographers studio or to re-
ceive a newspaper man or woman. Di-
rectly she becomes a star, however,
her attitude changes. She cannot be
disturbed. Her privacy must be re
spected. Her ngagements are things
to be broken with impunity. She is the
seught-she, who once sought news
paper notices with avidity.
Now, the manager wishes his star
exploited as much as possible, so either
through his own efforts or through the
press agent he tries to keep peace be-
tween star, and newspaper. representa-
tixes --
A well known musical comedy star,
whose appearance lends itself admlra-
bly, to earicature, was asked by her
manager to grant an interview to one
Of the best known critics and his com
parion caricaturiSt. The day was set
and the men arrived at her apartment,
to be informed that the star was sui
fering with tonisilitis, and would they
call at the same hour next day. They
would and they did-to be told that
nmiladi" had been called out of town
by Illness in her family. The two men
strolled up Broadway and met Mi
ladi" star bowling along in a hanson,
bound for the shopping district. The
angry representatives Of the press
stornned the managerial offices and in
formed the assembled force that I'M
less they saw the star at a certain hour
that afternoon there would be some
thing tragic in the air. After much
telephoning and chasing OF messenger
boys, the manager secured the ear or
his star, whose only plea was that she
had signed to act and not to pose. But
the two men finally paid her PACK IN
her own coin, for the interview and It's
caricatlIres were the talk Of theater-
going New York.
Another musical star objects greatly
to facing the camera. When her sea-
son opened she was far from we'll, ana
maintained that to be photographed
in that condition would injure her rep
utation as beauty. In vain her man
ager pleaded. She sent him hundreds
of photographs taken for former
starring venture, four years ago, In
costumes out of date and distinctly
remiscent. In speaking Of his Difficult
ties the manager said: Il could get
her to do anything except enter a stu
did, She went with me to buy morse
used in the piece, she joined me in
hunt for quaint properties, she climbed
stairs to select costumes, she did any
thing and everything but face the cam
era, and we went on the road with pho
tographs of-her costume plates.
But the musical star who tries the
soul of her manager most severely is
the one who yields to trifilng ailments.
One singer who has recently been on
Broadway is peculiarly sensitive to
weather conditions. On cloudy day
she absolutely refuses to arise, but
| drowses in her silken draped couch I'M
til late in the afternoon. Then, aris-
ing stupid and heavy, she decides that
she is ill, and so informs her man
ager. There is spirited argument
over the telephone during which she
details series Of symptoms that
would make the average hypochondriac
turn green with envy. No, she cannot
endanger her health by leaving the
hotel that night. He must remember
that she has a future, q career before
her. And he groanS and reminds her
that he has thousands right that min
ute in her production. She bids him
give notice to the understudy. The
understudy takes possession OF the
star dressing room and the stars maid,
and about the time she is arrayed for
the first act, in comes the star, an
| nouneing that she has decided to play
after all. Perhaps the weather has
turned clear, perhaps the manager has
dropped hint that he thinks that lit
tie understudy is worth watching
she gives promise of good voice, etc.
perhaps some one has sent the star
a particularly beautiful box of flowers
or an invitation to supper after the
play. Anyhow, the important fact re-
mains that she is on hand. ready for
work, with every sign Of the megrims
gone.
Even more trying is the caprice of
a certain woman popular in New York,
who believes in gauging the gracious
ness of her performance by the size of
MI OH hafnro