The San Francisco call., 1909-02-14
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NOT successes. They roasted them, -
said Frederic.
Why" said T.
Because he was san Francisco
boy. ] guess said he
But when Gus Frohman took him 70
the Madison Square theater he pro-
duced May Blossom and was, after
"Chums." which he wrote when at the
Baldwin in this city. his first real
success. Then came Hearts OF Oak,
with Herne as collaboration, and
which ran for many years at various
theaters throughout the country. Mean
time David was getting on in New
York and making people notice him. So
Daniel FrOhmau secured his services
for the Lyceum theater there and Be
lasco converted the playhouse from a
liability to an asset In Frohman' s
ledger. The place had lost money un-
til BelascO took it; then it made money
and has ever since. He associated him
self with Henry c. de Mile, who was
a professor Of languages, and the two
cOllaborated in successful plays Dan
Palmer sent him TO London TO look
over called Back" which David pro-
nounced good and which theater goers
viii remember was good. He brought
The production to this country and pre-
sented it for Palmer in New York All
this time he was growing and expand
Ing and learning Thirteen years ago
after he had been a producer and a
director for others, he determined TO be
a producer and a director for himself
That's how The Heart of Maryland
was written. and Mrs. Leslie Carter
under his direction. toured the country
ana came even 10 Belasco's native city
That was his first Individual success
But it is not By any means his last
The last is Walters The Easiest Way
OF which David Belasco told me much
Tt is the most emphatic and startling
success that New York has witnessed
IN the last 90 years. 1 would not be
surprised II IT would remain right
there in New York for two years"
we viii not see it then for two
years?" / asked
Perhaps. Who can tell. have nj
string OF theaters which would trail my
drama across the continent an
alone in the world, theatrically speak.
ing. But, as I have said. am keepine
my eyes open and my ear 10 the
ground Sometimes I think / hea,
sounds or approa ching change. Mean
time j VIII not overlook anv onnor.
tunity to extend my theatrical activity
and L may have other interests thar
those I now control
said ] hoped he'd find a few more
successes like the Walters pIav. argu.
Ing that the demand for BeIasco thea
ters might create a supply. But I'm
not here on business" he said again
though ] suppose I'll read some new
plays. ] have a suitcase fun OF them
Al this and much more David
Belasco said while the train ratified
from Sacramento to the Oakland pier
He was tired with his long journey
and worn with lack of sleep. but still
he made believe that he enjoyed the
interview.
Where are you going to stay?"
asked.
The first thing am going to do
u we can get across the bay this CFri.
day) morning viii be to go TO the
home Of my father and greet him once
more after 10 years That's what
came west 10 do, and that will be nay
first pleasure and duty"
DO the ferries cross the bay in the
early morning, Fred?" he asked
turning to his brother Of the Alcazar
Sure they do said Frederic. The
boat would be bound to take Won
across the bay even if you were the
only passenger on the train"
Then Wei 90 home" said David