The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-21
neWS of fbe Staae

This is the order of the proceedings of the Four Cohans: George Conan writes the plays, stages them and composes the music. He plays the principal part, too, and dances as if that were his sole aim In life Josephine Conan sings, dances and acts; Jerry Conan, the head of tho family. Is the lively, obstreperous white headed rascal that figures in all the pieces and Helen F. Conan, looking almost as young as her daughter and daughter-in- law. also contributes a ripcued talent; i; Fred Niblo manages affairs before the curtain; and whenever the exigencies of the plays call for a baby there are always two on tap that belong to the family.
 Morgan, himself, couldn't beat this. When one looks at the grandfather and grandmother, secs how they frolic through the plays and watch the youth full zest with which they, too, dance and sing, one wipes the grandchildren out of existence at once and has serious doubts as to the relationship of George and Jo- sephine. Surely there must be A mistake. They belong to the same family of course they have the Conan hall mark of live lfness and mirth-but not in paternal way. An cider brother and sister, let LIS say, and dismiss 1t at that. But they don't want to disclaim the real relation ship. The parents are too proud of their talented children, and George and Jos e- phine owe so much to their father and mother that they want to proclaim it early and often.
 It was a long. hard struggle with the parents when the children were young, and. for tSat matter, until a few years ago. But they had the Cohan talent and the Conan grit. They knew what they could do and they were determined to m a lgn fha of kh1 IA too. So they kept eternally at 1t. Build ing up their act here, adding to it there. and all the time giving their children the best of stage and domestic training. There Is boom in vaudeville affairs now, and many people have been swept to sue cess and prosperity by the turn of the tide. The Four Cohans, though, are proud to say that they do not owe their pres ent position to such aids. They had~co quered their place before vaudeville be- came a fad. Their worth was recognized by audiences that were far more critical than those to which they now appeal: they pleased people who knew almost as much of the business as they did them selves.
 This is pleasant thing to say and nc one who admires push and hopefulness will begrudge them calling frequent atten tion to it. And 1t s all the nicer that the Four Conans are big enough in all ways especially in their attitude to the world to publicly acknowledge the struggles of the past and to find in them causes for present rejoicing. It is not to be expected that people thus constituted will be con- tent with present conditions. Their plays are clever in their way. but they do not touch the ends of the family talent by any means. George has designs upon higher grade of work; Josephines talent as an actress urges her to more ambitious things: the father and mother will keep up with the procession, too. They are good today; they will be far better in the days to come. And who knows, what their limit will be2
 One thing more: Parents and children were wise and patriotic and sentimental in the little matters of birthdays. Jose phine was born Christmas day twenty-slx years ago; George. on the Fourth of July, just year later. And whisper! They are all young and there are plenty of holidays in the calendar
 Little Johnny Jones'" is the title of George Conan new musical comedy, which will be produced early in next sea- son.