The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-18
TALK WITH LEVY,
CARICATUR|ST,
IT. kE|TH'S

| Bert Levy, tho deft caricaturist or the
New York Telegraph. who Is at helth
this week scoring a tremendous hit Ia MS
novel act, is one OF the most interesting
men in the public eye today. An orthodox
Jew. an ardent lover Of his people. and an
earnest worker for the oppressed, Mr.
Levy has won the hearty admiration or
the thinking people all over the country
an admiration that Is distinct from that
which is felt for his talent as an artist
A man decidedly worth knowing and one
the interviewer felt privileged 10 meet
Some one has said "'rhe world Is COM
edy 10 those who think; tragedy 10 those
who feel" Mr. Levy does both. He came
from Australia a few years ago, pennl-
less and unknown, but with an apillty 10
portray men and events that was remark
able. Like all the struggling poor how
ever. he wandered about, hopeless ana
unencouraged, seeking any employment
that would insure him a meal and lodging.
lie went from one newspaper office 10
another but was turned away without be-
ing given a chance. Today Mr.. Levy is
recognized as one OF the leading artists
OF the country and the men who refused
him a chance now claim the distinction
Uf discovering him.
A Jew at heart, Mr. Levy was born In
England. but lived his early life i'm AUS
tralia lie has the clean-cut enunciation
that is so admirable in English people, but
has all the sensitive refinement OF the
born Partisan. Simplicity and earnestness
those are the keynotes OF Mr.. Levy s
character. 'My vaudeville work is of Sec
ondary Importance TO me" said Mr. Levy.
MY real work is In picturinE as far as
my pen will enable me the life In the
Ghetto I was never quite so interested
or happy as when / spent months with
Israel Zangwill getting color for my illus
tratons OF his Children of the Ghetto
III ever my heart was In my work, II was
then. But vaudeville-no. this is my last
eason. think. I've been in IL 30 consecu-
tive weeks now and have played in So diff
ferent cities during that time. and I'm
beginning 10 feel like the original Wan
dering Jew This last was said with
whimsical smile that revealed n sense of
humor that was like n rainbow after
storm. And it's work. work. work all
the time. with no home. only a hotel 10
go TO after the work is finished.
"Of course. I'm In the theatre only
about 40 minutes each day-just the ac-
tual time OF my performance, for I have
no makeup preparations to make. you
see. and my man looks after my appara-
tus for me so carefully that never have
TO worry about II at all. and would wor-
him. for have some lenses that are very
valuable. But after my theatre work Is
over I hurry back 10 my hotel To work
on my fIll-page sketch for the New York
Telegraph. or TO do some OF the illustra-
tions for some magazine stories I'm do
Ing or 10 make some or the dress plates
for two comic operas IN NJ work upon
for Henry w. Stanage. There isn't min
ute that I'm not busy. DO you know
what they told me about Providence be-
fore I came here? They said II was a
nice, quiet little place. Well. II Is nice,
but qulet-not so you'd notice II. But
they're mighty hospitable. I've had n
great many invitations 10 luncheons and
dinners. and my only regret Is that I can't
accept them all. One thing | do want TO
do. however during the week is to take
some walks around your city and get ac-
auainted with II. Today went UP around
Brown university. It's pretty UP there.
| isn't it?"
1--WE think So" the interviewer said.
modestly.
"But tell me what Is the reason for the
| little low buildings dilapidated and anti
quated. right here in the heart OF the city,
amid all the big handsome. modern struc-
tures-down here on the cross street that
goes to the station? There must be some
| reason for them"
| You mean the little buildings on Dor
rance street," I asked.
| "Yes, that's the name"
'"rhere isn't any meaning-unless II is
that Providence people need to wake up
| "Oh they're wide awake enough" said
Mr.. Levy i've listened TO the way they
take Joke. They're very appreciative
Every little thing. no matter how subtle
| reaches them. They don't laugh uproari-
ously, but they chuckle-the way all peo-
pie who really love humor do. In Miss
Tully's sketch. for instance. the lines are
very bright, but In some cities the audi
ences might not know what she means by
half OF them. But here every line gets a
laugh. OF course. much of that is due Il
the clever way In which Miss Tully plays
IL, but your audiences are wide awake
you take II from me-"
From the way I'm which Mr.. Levy in.
sisted upon turning the subject modestS
laway from himself to the beauties and
ugllness of Providence and 10 the pretty
compliment to Miss Tully, Il was evident
that he didn't want To talk about himself
and. as IL was near time for him TO give
his performance. i hurried away.
| POLLY PRIM.