The daily sentinel., 1905-03-06
.eYornr & 80 Feels.li
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Joseph Murphy. wno for thirty
years has acted the role OF an irish
man, with cheeks a-giow with the
fire Of youth. points To himself as
living demonstration of the old pro-
verb that a man is as young as he
feels. To interpret such part he
must appear young and blithe, and
happy; and to appear young he must
feel young; therefore, he AYERS that
in fact he is thirty years the junior
of the average man of 62.
1T is unfortunately true, also,
says Mr.. Murphy, that woman is
is old as she looks. But l maintain
that even with the gentle sex a
change in the point of view will
ameliorate the ravages of age. She
can look almost as young as she
wants to if she does not persist in
regarding herself as aged into a fad
ed flower.
This thing OF feeling young is re-
duced to quite a science with me,
since | am completely identified with
particular kind of characterization
and on the stage must always seem
young man. If l could not look
my part, l could not delude my audi
ence. and my acting days would be
over. Consequently l set my whole
will and force to feel young, relying
upon the belief that a young spirit
will look out of young face.
IF l walk along the street and see
boys playing marbles, I am just as
much interested as if | were a boy
again. Imay even get into the game
myself"
This is Mr.. Murphy's explanation
Of the fact that in his hair is no
thread of gray; that the older he
grows. the better is his health. But
other things contribute to this result,
doubtless. when his entire regime of
life is taken into account.
Few actors are content to do what
they are sure that they can do and
40 more-to aim at perfecting one
character, to work twenty weeks of
he year and take a vacation during
he remainder. This is Mr.. Murphy S
plan and he has stuck to it with lit
lie deviation for many years. Mean
lime he has accumulated a fortune,
estimated as large as that of any
other actor; has gained his reputa-
| lion and a solid following.
During his already long life he
1as suffered from but one physical
discomfort. an affection of the throat
For the last four years he has been
free of this. for no other reason in
the world, he maintains. than the
blessing his priest bestowed upon his
throat.
For years" said he. 81 was ser
ously handicapped by my throat. es
)ecially in smoky cities. and was un-
| able several times to keep my dates
carried around with me a medi-
cine case. full of oils. sprays and pre-
| parations calculated to ease my vo-
al chords. Well. they did little
good, and one day l went TO my
priest and sought blessing with re
lief from this affection in view" -
Mr.. Murphy asserts that this is nc
press agent story, no interesting fic
ton. 1T is my sincere belief" he
said. chat this religious treatment
and nothing else, is what has freed
me from the torment"
AS an actor Mr.. Murphy is knwor
for his dramatization of two plays
Kerry Cow" and Shaun Rhue.'
the former especially. Kerry Cow
was brought out first some % year.
ago. The plot was the result OF
Ave years thought on the part OF
Mr.. Murphy, who was in search OF
a play that would fit him, could
claim originality and that would last
The dialogue was filled in by play
wright, and from the beginning the
finished production was success.