The San Francisco call., 1909-02-13
life is FULL
OF PLOTS,' SAYS
THEPLAYWR|GHT
David BeIascO Tells How the
Three Ps" Win Success
in New York
Returns to Scene of Birth and
Holds a Big Family
Reunion
Master of Stagecraft Delights
Aged Father by Buying
Play From Him
By Arthur L. Price

David Belasco was yesterday the eld-
est Of nine children. He was still a
conspicuous dramatic author, the most
consummate master of stagecraft in
America, the proprietor of two notable
theaters in New York and one in
Washington. the manager of a con-
stellatiOn Of stars. and, withal, the
most clerical looking individual who
ever entered a theater; but the glory
Of the world was shunted at the Oak
land mole early yesterday morning,
and Belasco spent the day in the cen
ter Of his immediate family. He was
with his father, Abraham Belasco; his
sisters, Mrs. Sarah Mayer. one of the
owners of the Alcazar theater, and
Mrs. Hannah Heringhi, and his broth
ers, Fred Belasco. the other partner
in the Alcazar: Walter Belasco, the
popular actor at that theater; Edward
Belasco, treasurer of the theater;
Henry B. Belasco, superintendent OF
the Alcazar building, and Sollie Be
lasco and Isa Belasco. the only sons OF
the house who are not in some way
connected with dramatic entertainment.
FAMILY REUNION Is HELD
At the home, l7O4 Sutter street,
which Mrs Mayer shares with her
father. David Belasco spent the after
noon, greeting relatives and kin as
they came in and devoting most of his
time to his father whom he had not
seen for lS years. 1t was a family re
union with a parent and nine children
10 give it force and effect-a larger
family than Belasco ever dramatized.
Belasco's arrival in the city of his
birth after an absence Of 13 years was
made at an i'll hour. The adroit stage
manager did not approach San Fran
cisco IS propitiously as he could have
effected an entrance for a star of his
creation. But this defect must not be
laid against the dramatist. The stage
director of the greatest railroad drama
in the country. E. H Hartman and
his Southern Pacific road managers
were the only persons this side OF
eternity who may be blamed for the
fact that the train bearing Belasco ar
rived at ( o'clock in the morning
Belasco was accompanied west by
Acton Davis. dramatic critic on the
New York Evening Sun, who is consid-
cred one of the two or three best in
formed men on the drama in the United
States. 1T is too long a journey TO
take alone" said Belasco.
TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Fred Belasco went to Sacramento to
greet his brother. and dramatic
writer's of the local press also went
up the road and returned to the city
with the genius Of the stage. To that
extent II was a, triumphant return to
the city of his nativity.
Immediately upon reaching San
Francisco. BelascO and his brother
drove to the home in Sutter street
where the aged father was waiting up
70 welcome the son he had not seen
for bakers dozen of years. After
anectionate greetings had been ex-
changed, David Belasco went to the st
Francis, where he and Davies regis
tered.
David Belasco was UP at IL O'Clock
and went to the Sutter street home
again, where he stayed during the aft
ernoon- He viii be in San Francisco
for two weeks A severe hoarsenese
kept him indoors yesterday. bur he
hopes to be able to revisit rts of the
city he knew OF old and hunt up old
friends soon
Belasco said he came west to see his
father and relatives and not with the
object Of buying plays. but his FIRST
act rather bellies the latter statement
for before Belasco had been in Sau
Francisco u hours he purchased a play
outright and made a first payment nj
$loo IN cash to the successful author
BUYS PLAY FROM FATHER
What Belasco discovered when he
reached the city was that he had !
playwright in his family. It was ,
great surprise to him.
He reached the Mayer house at II
o'clock, and as soon as his father
Abraham Belasco, had exchanged greet
ings with him the old gentleman said
David, ] have written a play for you
and II you like it I'd like to sell il to
you"
Father. let me hear st." exclaimed
the producer Of the big theatrical sue
cesses of New York
Belssco senior Went of to his treas.
ure box and returned with a five act
drama The entire family gathered
around and listened with the utmos,
attention while the old father read
from his manuscript
I'll take it. father" declared David
1T is a good play. It has pathos. COM