The Washington herald., 1907-11-07
JAMES J. CORBETT-ACTOR


weight prize fighter OF America and ex
champion. seeking 10 regain his laurels OF
me prize ring, is dead In his place has
arisen Mr.. James J. Corbett. actor and
az the Academy OF Music this week he
SHOWS that he has earned this title. not
pS Isht OF ms prominence in the prize
fihg' out on his ability as a player.
But Mr.. Corbett always had thespfan
aspirations. After he Iert eoIl4ee b.. TOT
a position as clerk In the Nevada Fqas az
san Francisco, and held Il for six ears.
only leaving II 10 go with the Anglo
Nevada Trust Company II was chile
with This company that there cane 10
Sah FRANCISCO the vaudeville team cf
Long and Cotton. Long. doing his act
iel and broke bis leg. and I; was pro
posed 10 get up a benefit for the crippled
p aver. Palmer's Stock Company was
there at the time. and Maurice Barry
more and Henry Woodruff volunteered 10
serve. Russells comedians were also DIay
ing there, and Of these Miss May Irwin
and Willie Collier and Charles Read were
drafted Then they needed another actor
ana Mr.. Corbett was called upon. and his
hrst appearance on any stage was made
as leading man 20 May Irwin. in a bur
lesque on Camille"
After that, Corbett went back 20 his
trust company. and. being a club man
anu AHo"n as clever amateur boxer.
ne got into the fighting game. his first
professional fight being with Joe Chovin-
ski whom be beat Then. circumstances
were too strong FOR him Laurels were
waiting Tor him IN the fighting game.
ana ne mounted up and up until he held
The championship Of America by his mem
oTable victory over John l. Sullivan.
But always he felt a can 20 the stage
ard his hrst professional debut was made
In the play called Gentleman Jack" a
play which succeeded IN the popular
priced theaters IA America. and which he
took 10 England with him
Returning 10 this country. he appeared
IN The Naval Cadet" a play which de-
pended for its drawing quality largely on
the fact that James J. Corbett. once
champion or America. appeared in a box
ing stunt After that he appeared in
vaudeville. doing a monolcgue. and uu-
doUbtedly this gave him confidence in
himself and allowed him to appear before
audiences without that awful self-con-
sciousness which so often mars the work
Of the player
Bit by bit he was getting away from
the lighting game and its reputation
When the opportunity offered TO appear in
Bernard Shaw's play. "Cashel Byron's
Profession lie jumped al II. and the
play was put on al Days Theater. New
York The play was a failure. but the
critics spoke with high praise of Mr.. Cor
belts work regarding him TO longer as
a man trading on q prize lighters reputa-
ton. but willing TO be accepted for what
he did or did not do on the stage.
Afterwards he was q prominent mem
h -
York. with Miss Amelia Bingham as lead
ing woman With her he produced again
"Cashel Byrons Profession" and Willie
Golfers Mr.. Smooth" Then came
Pals" by Edmond Day. I'm which he
starred, and now he is seen in real
players part. without any reference to his
past days as pugilist. in THE Burglar
and the Lady"
Audiences at the Academy this week are
| larger than usual. and more than a little
different. Here the patrons Of the theater
want elemental things presented ia an
obvious way. and they get them. The
company. as a whole, is much better than
usual and Miss Rose King. who plays the
part Of Norma Gray, win her good voice
and majestic stage presence. would grace
a much more artistic play. and IS worthy
OF higher things. Mr.. Corbett. in the
Ablt Ol Lllt our IelAI hl4o AlSA AulStS nillScT
as a detective. who wins the love of a
good woman, and who IS redeemed
through love, shows tina, il Is upon his
past popularity that he is trading Let it
be remembered that here is the only man
who has risen from the prize ring 20 the
legitimate stage without any appeal to his
past abilities with his fists. Here YOU md
a man whose enunciation Is polished and
distinct; whose manners are all that
could be desired, who wears his clothes
Ike a gentleman. In the part of Ned
Danvers. he is fOrceful, convincing. ear
nest. He wins the sympathy Of his audi
ence and does it legitimately. The prize
fighter is lost sight OF; the actor has
taken his place. and If one can only for
get that James J. Corbett has ever been
a fighter for money. one VIII be able TO
realize that here is a man who is a good
actor to-day. and may be a much letter
ana much more pretentious actor before
his career on the Stage IS closed