New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
ACTOR STUDIES FRENCH.
Raymond Hitchcock A8pireS to Play
king D0d0" in Paris.

Raymond Hitchcock has begun the study OF the
French language. Behind this simple announce
uent turks n story. n satire, sermon, as the
point OF view may he. At any rate, Raymond
Hitchcock IS studying French. lie has procured a
little grammar OF the language. possibly because
the idea prevails in some quarters that the way
TO begin the study OF language is with the study
OF its grammar. and every night sitting in his
dressing room. and making up for his part In The
Yankee Consul Mr.. Hitchcock pores over the
pages OF this book One of the chorus men In the
company IS familiar wSh the tongue and he sits
frequently by the stars side helping him with
knotty points Of syntax difficult pronunciation
Mr.. Hitchcock has not yet reached tho irregular
verbs but he hopes TO soon. and he says he guesses
they will not make him stop either
But why Is he studying French? Well. Mr..
Hitchcock IS star now. fun Gsdgrd really and
truly star. and he has shOnc successfuIly in that
capacity broadway. That is as far "a a star
can get IN this country. the stars think. And
so he IS looking for other heavens 10 conquer.
Alexander OF the nebul.es he looks forth from the
altitude O., Tho Yankee Consul and behoIds-
Parish
Yes. Mr.. Hitchcock's ambition Is mono other than
10 play IN Paris. Somebody told him last summer
that his king D0io" would make great HIT In
Paris. and the words. spoken doubtless in Il care
less moment. are bearing their frui.s-a French
grammar, puzzled tongue. and much zeal TO
acquire the speech o. Eernhardt and Coguclin and
Hugo and Fluubcrt. Mr. Hitchcock has also seen
a picture OF Forbes Robertson as Hamlet. and has
decided that he looks like the English actor in the
part.
don't sec why I couldn't play Hamlet" he
said the other night. some day between acts.
going to jump into a cab and rush over 10 the
Kniclerbocker Theatre and see this Robertson
play the part. III bet could do It well
Lsg'
But his ambition IN this direction is not so strong
his desire 70 play King Dodo In Paris. IN the
French tongue. Ho VIII work for that end first.
Other American actors have had the same ambi-
u yyaa rI.t 1lV.~ ofr1f H4f Car
said she was going play "Du Barry" in Paris IN
the native language OF the estimaJIo heroine OF
the BeIasro drama AIRS. Carter, however. Is al
ready familiar with tho French tongue. though
whether TO an extent that would cause the Paris
ians TO accept her accent-and woe unto the actor
whose accent IS not acceptable 70 fastdious Parish
IS another question Evidently Mrs. Carter has
her doubts. The plan has not been mentioned OF
late.
Tho working OF tho average players mind when
It is trained on himself Is n subject that has never
attracted tho attention Of the psychologists
much II deserves Whether It IS an ambition TO
play IN Paris to star I'm Hamlet" or 10 be
leading woman for Richard Mansfield (and there
are. oddly enough numerous young actresses with
Just that ambltion). the player male or female.
too often manifests a strange perverslty OF judy
rnent regarding the possibilities Of his and
content TO wake up on their twenty-ufth birthday
and accept the Judgment Of their capacities which
night before. That does not mean that effort is
abandoned. that ideals are lost sight OF, that
growth ceases. II does not mean that the genius
fails TO that he IS genius, falls to attempt the
things which tho world would be so much poorer
without. II merely means hUmbleDess OF mind ana
steady directuess of purpose for possible ends
The ideal which is UnattaIuable IS n bad thing TO
live with. The doctrine OF the schOulboOk5 that
every boy can become President would be q dan
gorDus doctrine If any normal boy ever believed It,
But the actor. apparently never has twenty
fifth birthday. He goes right on thinking himself
the best exponent Of the drama that the world has
yet produced. dreaming Of deeds that IL were the
height Of folly him to attempt. Not long ago
a young woman. whose experience on the stass
had been limited TO engagement in small COM
pauy touring the night circuit and 10 a
month or two leading woman I'm a play on
Broadway which featured a popular male star, eN-
pressed her ambition to be tha position OF leading
woman for Richard Mansfield. There was rea-
son why she might not achieve this ambition.
should Mr.. Mansfield continue his present custom
Of having leading women Of mediocre talent; but
she appeared hopeless.
Alas" she said, with a sigh OF deep feeling. II
fear bel Mr.. Mansfield never takes
n leading woman who Is really known IN the pro-
fezSion.'
such speeches. OF course. amusing But they
are also. surely. not without pathetic side a
well known professional musician in this CITY who
is a man OF deep scholarship and quite normal at
tributes has declared his friends that there IS
one class OF people ne viii not meet. professional
musicians. Surely there some actors who in
their frequent association with their kind some
times share his feelings. Perhaps the trouble Is
the interpreters Of the drama greater reDute
than the creators. which Mr. DObsOn is unkind
enough to the actors 10 think all wrong.