The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-07

amusement of the public. He did not
any more than Mr.. Cohan-caTe a hang
for teaching or conveying a moral les
son; all he wanted To do was to enter
tain. He did this successfully and so.
evidently, does Mr.. Cohan for all the
week the theater was packed. George
Cohan is an example of the self-made
man whose talents have forced him to
the front. Notwithstanding his lack of
college education. He began life as
newsboy in Providence. R. l. and he has
hated the city ever since. He had some
aptitude for music and was known as
boy viOinist but ne has lived that
down. He appeared on the stage as a
professional musician when he was ten
years old This was in Haverstraw-and
he has no kindly feelings for Haverstraw.
little later he developed a tendency 10
Write short sketches for the vaudeville
houses. and soon he was preparing the
acts in which "The Four Cohans" ap-
peared with such success
One of the first from his pen was "a
Wise Guy" and its SUCCESS was so ems
Dhatic that it has lasted as d laugh
producer up to the present time "The
Governors Son" was the title Of a one
AZ esAfAAit mum MI AUtluN = pen Allht
brought the family into added promi-
nence in the vaudeville field. Later. the
Young author rewrote and revamped the
sketch, lengthenlng it to three-act play,
which to-day is conceded one of the most
successful plays on the American stage
Running for Office" was his second
real effort at playwritlng II was rural
in its atmosphere, and is still potent
as a drawing card with the theater-going
public. 1t was Little Johnny Jones'
however. that brought George NJ. Conan
definitely before the public as ID native
American author. The piece was Graded
October &c. 1904 and il was played con-
tinUously from that time up 10 April 70
Of the present year with the exception Of
one week between its long run in New
York and the road tour. It has made
fortune for its author-COmposer and pro-
moter. Last September he turned out his
fourth comedy with music ''Forty-five
Minutes from Broadway" In February.
1906 NT. Cohan finished and staged his
nth play, entitled. George Washington.
Jr.," at the Herald Square Theater. New
York City. Play No was written for
Thomas W. Ross Il is entitled "Popu-
larity," and bids fair 10 add more sue
cess and fame 10 the name of this bril-
liant young man.
IS e. writer OF popular songs, MT. Conan
has earned an enyiable reputation. One
Of his first hits I'm this line was. II
Guess I'll Have to Telegraph Ny Baby"
and another one to score heavily was
Underneath the Blanket of a Folding
Bed. Among his most recent song COM
positions 10 meet with favor are. Good
bye Flo Nesting in a New York Tree"
Good Old California. I'm Mighty Glad
m Living and That's All" Yankee
Doodle Boy 'Lifes a Very Funny propo-
sition After An and Give My Regards
TO Broadway in Little Johnny Jones'"
SO Long. Mary Mary is a Grand Old
Name Il Want to Be a Popular Nil
honaire.' and 'Forty-five Minutes from
Broadway. in the play of that name; IF
Washington Should Come TO Life Again"
virginia, I've Never Been over
There" All Aboard for Broadway" "TU
BE There With Bells On" and It's "a
Grand Old Flag" in George Washing
ton, Jr."
The art of Mr.. George, NJ. Cohap NAV
not be the highest sort of art. but his
success testiies 10 the fact that /
mas supplied something that the theater- I
going public wants. His plays. while they /
are loosely constructed and make no pre- 1
tensions as TO plot, are at least under 4
standable: they have movement. life
color. and harmony, and they do not
offend the taste. II that man IS a pub !
lie henefactOr who makes Two auchs I
grow where one only grew before. then /
George Conan is reapiug his reward.