The San Francisco call., 1908-08-03
RENDERS HOMAGETO
ACTRESS OF '3O'S
Tyrone Power Kneels to Little
Lady Who Played With His
Grandfather 20 Years Ago
Meeting of Van Ness Star With
Mrs. Saunders, Beloved of
the Stage, Affecting Scene

Tyrone Power has taken with him
from San Francisco memory, one
that he will cherish while he lives.
for he spent an hour with Mrs. Eliz-
abeth Saunders, who played. nearly 20
years ago, with his distinguished
grandfather, for whom he is named,
who was lost in 1S41 when the ship
President went down on it's way from
America to England.
Although almost 90 years of age,
Mrs Saunders is in intimate touch
with almost every theatrical interest
in the world. When she heard Tyrone
Power was coming to the Van Ness
theater in The Servant in the House"
she wondered If he were q descendant
of that distinguished Tyrone Power
with whom she had played when she
was a girl in her teens at the old
Chestnut Street theater in Philadelphia.
Ma Power was not long in the city be-
fore he heard OF Mrs. Saunders and as
soon as an indisposition would permit,
he went to see her in her little home
in the Mission that has become little
short of a Mecca to the theatrical folk
visiting San Francisco.
The meeting between these two, hold
ing one interest dear to both, one that
had endured over the great span of
years, had a sweet solemnity, a real
sacredness about it. AS Tyrone Power,
tall and virile, entered the room, Mrs.
Saunders, little and dainty and gentle,
arose to meet him.
He hesitated as he came into the
roOm,' she laughed, las though he did
not quite know what kind of an old
crow he was going to see" With an
exceedingly keen sense of humor. Mrs.
Saunders quite enjoyed this little side
light. Mr.. Power was yisibly affected
a
lady who welcomed him with cordial
grace.
Almost the first thing she told him
was that he looked like his grandfather.
The years are dimming her sight, but
Mr.. Power sat where she could see him
best and together they talked of what
was dear to them both. Mr. Power re-
membering the story OF the tragedy
that had been repeated to him, told how
the little family awaited in England
for the husband and father who never
returned. and Mrs. Saunders, in turn,
told the story of his last engagement
in America when she had appeared with
him in The Irish Ambassador" Ac-
centuating the marvellous memory she
has, Mrs. Saunders repeated to- Power
many of the lines of his grandfather s
play. This voice from the past was an
experience that Power will never dupli-
cate and one which could come to but
few men.
DO me honor" Mrs. Saunders said,
with a quaint little courtesy to the two
visitors who followed, for I have seen
the great man, Tyrone Power He is so
sincere, he lives in the uplifting spirit
of the great play he has done SO much
to interpret. He blessed me when he
left: he knelt beside me-and 1 just q
plain, little, old woman"
But Tyrone Power came under the
spell of this rare soul who is nothing
short Of benediction to her friends.
Born Jefferson, bred an actress in the
days Of the rare generation Of players
now gone, Mrs. Saunders retains every
grace and charm of manner and all the
melodious richness Of voice that made
possible for her to play all manner and
kinds Of parts from the Queen Mother
in Hamlet" to every boy on the stage.
Power wanted Mrs. Saunders to see
The Servant in the House" and she
was almost tempted to CO.. but, fearing
the excitement of such an occasion.
said: Il have appeared in many parts
but l would not want to play the role
of disturbing the play"
To make up for this disappointment
both to himself and to Mrs. Saunders
Mr. Power will send her his own prompt
book of the playa genuine compliment
from one actor to another.