The Washington herald., 1909-01-10
MISS FRANCES STARR.
Her Brief but Brilliant Career on
the Stage.

Miss Frances Starr. whom Mr.. Beiasco
selected TO play the title role Of The
Rose Of the Rancho and who is now a
fuII-fedged star in Eugene Walters new
est play. The Easiest Way. at the Be
iasco Theater this week. is one Of the
youngest actresses on the American
stage, and by her sudden eminenee vim
dicates the favorite maxim Of some Of
the best critics Of the stage that there
is no experience for young actress or
actor like that gained In a stock COM
pany.
Miss Starr vas born in a small town in
Upper New York State. and her home Is
in Albany. where her mother now resides.
her father having died while she was
mere child. She made her first appear
ance on any stage with an Albany stock
company, conducted by Frederic Bond.
This was in June, 1901. She played in
genue roles IN that company during one
summer. and the following year went to
New York City. where she entered the
old Murray Hill Stock Company, under
Donnelly's anagement-
Miss Starr for one season played all
kinds Of parts. and then was permanently
engaged as ingenue the next season. To
the training she there received she as
cribes g great measure Of her success as
an actress. although. mOdestly enough,
she now admits that all she acquired by
years Of experience and study was COM
pleJely dwaTfed by the rapid development
Of her powers under Mr. BelascO's per-
sonal training when he decided that her
natural qualities justified him in intrust-
ing so important a role 10 her.
Four years ago she went 70 the Pacific
Coast, being engaged for the Alcazar
Stock Company in san Francisco. under
the management Of Frederick Belasco.
There she proved herself favorite in a
variety OF roles played il the East by
the leading actresses. and after one sea
son returned East She was engaged by
the Castle Square Theater Company. OF
Boston. and on the completion Of her en-
gagement returned 70 New York Here
she became identified with the Proctor
Fifth Avenue Stock Company, headed by
Charles Richmsn. who played her lover
IN The Rose Of the Rancho" last season,
and Amelia Bingham. and when Mr.
RiChman made his debut as a star she
vas engaged for a prominent role in
"GallOps
Mr.. Belasco engaged her 20 play the
heroine in The Music Master with
David Warfeld. Miss starr taking the
place made vacant by the retirement OF
Miss Minnie DUpree She adapted her
self so completely 20 the role that she
added materially % the charm OF the play
by an unaffected sweetness Of temper
her refreshing girlishness. as well as by
her insight into the possibilities of the
role. And then Mr.. Belasco one day in
formed her that he had chosen her to
play the heroine OF his new production.
The Rose o. the Rancho"
Her work in that play was 50 striking
that M Belasco chose her 10 star in the
Waitel piay. The Easiest Way. Again
she promises 10 win a big success.
Frances Stars views on the drama. il
may be- said. reflect somewhat the per
soualty. as well as revealing the mind.
Of the young woman. First Of all. she
IS devoted 70 her preceptor. David Be
lasco. who is her ideal. she entered her
hotel in Philadelphia recently and met
q friend. The glow Of the unexpected
greeting came through tear-dimmed eyes.
7 have Just happened upon a most aw-
full scene" she said. u saw the police
wagon back Up here and take in three
derelicts One was a poor old woman.
Il seemed her only crime was that OF
poverty. And some specimens Of hu-
mainly. men and women stood around
and grinned-
Mr.. BelaScO tries so hard 10 keep me
happy that I don't suppose I ought 10
watch those things. but ] cannot help IL;
Mr.. Belasco's constant plea il 20 keep me
happy Only to-day he sent ne tele-
grant was 50 unexpected. too-saying
he was pleased with the newspaper re-
views which he bad been watching He
closed with the words. Keep happy and
we'll He IS always doing those unex-
pected things: always 50 gentle and kind
and thoughtful He is just Ike dear.
kind father. and We ali worship him.
His guidance IS right as wen as wise