The San Francisco call., 1910-09-11
Melancholy End of
Noted Actor

Melancholy End of
Noted Actor
TITLE attention has been paid to
| the passing of Harry Courtaine.
- who in the SOS, was a petted,
much forgiven and much beloved
player on San Francisco's ria1to, Harry
Courtaine died August IS at the city
hospital. RandalPs island, New York.
His body was buried in the actors fund
plot in Evergreen cemetery. He had
been at the hospital since 1892 Cour-
taine, who was one Of the picturesque
players of the old school, was born in
Dublin and was. at the time of his
death, about so years of age. He made
his theatrical debut in his native city
and later went to London, where he
played at Drury Lane theater. He
came to America in 1857. He married
Emma Grattan, who was in her day
a famous burlesque actress. She died
in the home for incurables at Fordham
in 1898
Of Courtaine it is said that even
Lester WaIlack was jealous. Cour-
taine's comedy was of the light va
riety which Wallack affected with
such great success. and as a character
actor, old time play goers of this city
will tell you that Courtaine had no
rival. Intellectually he was brilliant
Educated for the priesthood, he aban-
doned that career. impe1led in part no
doubt by those characteristics which
later made him his worst enemy and
interfered with the wide success which
otherwise he might have achieved In
Greek, Latin and Hebrew he was a
scholar; he was an authority on polit-
tcal economy and a clear thinker and
witty commenter on any subject. Those
qualities. at least, are attributed to him
by those who have never forgotten
debonaire Harry Courtaine.
1t will be, hope no breach of trust
to append a letter which would be
marred by rewriting The name of my
correspondent is withheld at his re-
quest
Il give you what know" says the
letter, as a matter OF news and for
your own guidance, in case you desire
to extend the article. and not as per-
sonal note coming from me.
The fire destroyed much old and val
liable material which have gathered
relative to old time dramatic events in
this city What 1 did not lose I sent to
Peter Robertson. who. believe. will
one day, from his own experiences and
from data that he has collected. write
splendid volume on the stage in Cal
ifornia. He is the only one who could
do justice to the subject. Lacking i'm
mediate data I have to trust to my
memory to great extent in what L am
about to relate.
Harry Courtaine was player in this
city in the SOS and 7Os. L know that
he was connected with the old Amer
lean theater. located d, in Sansome
street between Halleck and Sacra-
mento, where the Carmen Johnson
building stands today. and nearly op-
posite the Bank of California He was
also a member of stock companies In
Maguires opera house in Washington
street above Montgomery; the Metro
poIitan, on the west side Of Montgom-
cry street near Jackson; the old OIym-
pic, on the northeast corner of Clay and
Kearny street. and the old Bella Union.
in its classic. not it's hectic. days in
Washington street above Kearny, just
opposite Portsmouth square.
he was one of the best light come
dians ever on the stage. He PLAYED the
principal parts in Lend Me Five shil-
lings. Box and Cox 'O'Callaghan's
Boots 'Toodles,' such parts as Sir Giles
Overreach, Major OfGrady in The Col
leen Bawn.' and many of the leading
roles in the old time comedies and
farces of the other days. He suoportaA
such players as Mrs Judah Mrs Elis-
abeth Saunders. Lulu Sweet. Sophie Ed
win. David Anderson, William Barry
| (these were old time good actors Of the
| SOS and sO's). Dan Setchen and Edwin
Adams The last time that Courtaine
was in San Francisco. I believe. was
with Frank Daniels in Little Puck in
the SOS. That was at the old Bush
street theater. then under the manage
ment of ]. ]. Gottlob. Courtaine took
the part of the professor and had the
we'll remembered line, There are only a
few of us left which nightly brought
down the house. That is the last time
L remember seeing him or conversing
with him in this city. though I after
ward met him in New York
He was a courtly gentleman whether
he was himself or his other self that
was occasionally exhibited When tha