Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-07

Los Angeles like Miss z. We could
have libraries, symphony orchestras,
municipal bands, gyms for the play
grounds and all that. We could shine,
It doesn't cost a city much in return
for these things. Why know place
where some rick folk have given
million to bring forth a fine city park
with fountains and resting places and
a playground In 1t. All the city had to
do was to keep up the place and spend
$25, 900 for a statue to the donor
"The playground idea is growing in
the east. especially in Boston. They
are teaching the kiddies to sew and
sing. Foreign-bo children learn folk
songs as well as American patriotic
hymns. Such things as Maypoles
slides on the schoolhouse roofs, roof
gardens and other things. just to make
the little ones happy, are seen every
where. Maybe the far-seeing-some
call them dreamers-realize that hap
piness dispels criminal tendencies.
"Why don't some OF our Los Angeles
millionaires- get busy and show some
real patriotism?"
Students of drama, literature, art
and human nature will find much of
worth in the lectures DR.. Richard Bur-
ton is giving at Cumnock hall. DIR.
Burton combines intellectually with
common sense (Which is intellectually
raised to the nth power) in his dis
courses on the drama and dramatists.
His words enable the student of the
drama, the constant and the occa-
sional theatergoer to understand
plays, authors and acting better He
is delightful in delivery and master
of his subject, so that, if the writer's
advice were asked, he would say, 'Do
not fail to hear DR.. Burton in the
three remaining lectures he will give
Monday, Wednesday and Friday of
this week"
Because OF the fact that several Los
Angeles players have experienced the
sensation of coming to the 'front.'" 1
give herewith George NJ. Cohans ideas
on the subject.
Have you noticed how many young
actor and actresses have come to the
front in the past few years? Perhaps
you have-I know I have-and the fact
is being discussed right now on every
corner of the White Way where Thes
plans and song and dance artists gather
for the purpose of discussing any and
everything theatrical.
"Have you tried to figure out why so
many young actors and actresses have
Perhaps YOU have-I know have, and
think 1 have got the proper dope on
the sudden rise of the youngsters.
"We'll say, for instance, an actor
plays a part in a play which happens
to score a success. This actor We'll
say, gets $1OO a week for playing this
part in this success. How much do you
think the same actor wants for playing
this same part the following season?
Not less than 5000. and as much more
as his nerve will allow him to ask for.
but does the dear lIind-hearted man
ager fall for the hundred raise? No,
Gertrude, dear, he does not. What
then does this perfecto-smoldng. Wine
drinking. baseball loving, well-dressed
show promoter do? Why, sweetheart,
he simply turns to a member of his
office staff and says Alfred dear,
run up to Hartford and look that stock
company over and see If there isn't
some clean-shaVen young juvenile in
the bunch who can play Boostem's part
for about As bucks a week.
"And Alfred slips quietly up to Con-
necticut and grabs the great unknown
and brings him into the fold All, but
does the dandy little never heard of
guy from Hartford fill the bill? Does
he give the same satisfaction to the
playgoing public as did Boostem? Yes,
kind sir; he does. In fact, he is better
in the part, and doesn't play over three
or four performances when the genial
manager discovers he has a find and
rushes back to the boys dressing room
with three years contract and a
promise of a big future. But does the
young rube from Hartford sign those
accursed papers? No. Pet, he says he
will, if the dear kind-hearted producer
will boost the figure about $3.50 more a
week.
what then does his nobs. the man
ager do? Argue? No, Phyllis. He
again sends for Alfred and Alfred is
sent to worcester to look over the local
favorites, and again Alfred brings back
with him a nifty, blonde gentleman
who has had Worcester at his feet for
two seasons. And this same nifty little
fellow is there with the wild talk about
hundred more a week when the flu
ture contract question arises.
"And so it goes on; the salary-jump-
ing, hit-making actor who is well