Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-09
DAUGHTERS OF WELL
KNOWN ACTORS WILL
MAKE THEIR DEBUT
NEITHER GIRL Is SIXTEEN
YEARS OF AGE
Parents In Both Cases Have Objected
Vigorously but Inherited Pro-
cIivlties Refuse to Be
Denied
BY JEAN CROSBY BRIDGHAM


Though mothers wall and fathers tear
their hair, Electrically inclined daugh-
tiers will have their way. I met charm
ing examples of this Thursday.
Two girls, daughters of we'll known
local theatrical folk, are making their
debut this week in Los Angeles-the
one, Miss Mercedes Temple, daughter
of Edgar Temple and Clara Wallace
(Mrs. Temples stage name) and La
Cigale Ferris, whose father is the pop
ular actor, aeronaut, etc., etc., Dick
Ferris.
These girls are so close to the six
teenth birthday anniversary that their
first appearance on the stage holds
more than the usual amount of interest,
and they are only school girls, too, the
former having recently returned from
Holy Angel convent on the Hudson
and the other being just home from an
exclusive Minneapolis boarding school.
Each is starting on headlong career
toward theatrical stardom, and present
indications are that they will reach the
port of their dreams.
In little Miss Ferris case the only
drawback Is her father, for he cannot
be reconciled to the idea of his little
girl rushing madly to her dressing room
every night and donning her war paint.
week at the Majestic, though her name
does not appear on the program, as her
part Is small.
As Christmas Gift
Miss Ferris has been to school in the
east ever since Mr.. and Mrs. Ferris
came to Los Angeles to reside, and at
Christmas Mrs. Ferris, better known as
Florence Stone, told her husband that
If he would send for La Cigale she
would not expect another Christmas
present. SO the one desirable gift ar
rived, and when Friends" was put on
at the Majestic the Present, ably Sec
onded by Mrs. Ferris, pleaded for
part. dick was proof up to the last
minute, but had to give in at the end,
and so La Cigale is happy.
ST was not at all nervous my frSl
night" she said; "just excited. I do
not think I can ever give 1t up now,
there is such fascination about the
life that it holds you when you have
had taste of it. And then 1 was born
and brought up in stage atmosphere,
SO what else should 1 want to do?"
"I do not know what shall do after
this engagement, for father is so set
against my playing"
But therei What can "Dick" expect
when he gave her her name-La Cigale?
The name alone makes a noise like the
center OF the StdSe.
Despite All Opposition
Miss Mercedes Temple is a good illus
tration of knowing what you want
and how to get it. This energetic
young person, in spite of opposition
from every one but an aunt, who aid
ed and abetted her. has Joined the
chorus at the Burbank and is appear
ing in "Gay New York"
"No, I do not like being a chorus
girl or appearing in tights" she said.
1.-THE first night went on tried to
efface myself behind the scenery, but
now 1 am accustomed to it.
at do not intend to stay in the chorus,
but I want to know the business from
top to bottom, am going ahead as fast
as possible, and no one can stop me.
"I cannot say which I prefer-the
drama or opera. The only thing that
would suit seems to be comic opera,
which would include both.
"The first time / ever appeared on
the stage was in one of those cheap
little 10-cent theaters on an amateur
night, where the audience throws
money at the person it likes besty
was only years old. but begged father
to allow me Just once and so he final
ly consented. / marched proudly on
and sang 'Hullo, Central, Give Me
won the prize.
Miss Temple inherits vocal talent
from both fathef~and mother, the for
mer having been her only teacher.
She is an outdoor girl also, and is
one of the best girl swimmers at the
California beaches. Her prowess last
summer attracted widespread attention
when she swan from Bristol pier at
Santa Monica to Venice and back. As
Miss Temple remarked incidentally,
1.-THE water was cold"
She loves animals, too, does this
walking down Broadway one cold rainy
day last winer with her thoroughbred
Spitz tucked under her arm, she hap
pened to spy a miserable, yowling, wet
cur in the gutter. Forthwith she went
into the nearest restaurant and