The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-11-04
bELLEW WAS
A PIONEER
MAT IDOL
Women Si0Tned The Theatre
Whom Handsome Actor
Was TO appear

Harold Kyrle Beiew whose death
occurred this week at Salt Lake city.
was not only one of the most finished
actors that England ever contributed
to the American stage, but he was
one OF the very first of that type which
has become commonly known as the
! matinee idol. Ii might be said
safely that Beliew, indeed was the
! first Of the notable romantic actors
that caused women to stampede the
box offices
Bellew was handsome man and
the exquisite finish of his dramatic
lart accentuated mis- physical attract
iNeness. Whether lighting cigar
cite in his famous role OF "Ranles
or whether engaged in the duel with
seven foes in the tragic staircase
scene OF a Gentleman of France,
Beilew was the acme OF stage grace.
Everything he did shone with the
brilliant polish OF clear-cut diamond
Born in England and the son Of an
English minister, Bellew had d vari-
ed career in the ffty-six years of his
interesting life. His father wished
that he Should enter the ministry,
and his education was begun along
that line: but when - years old
Kyrie Bellew decided that ne was not
fitted for the pulpit, so he ran away
from nome and became 4 sailor. He
Went to Australia and while there
tried his fortunes in various ways 1t
was at this time of the gold craze n
Australia, and BelleW Joined the
great mob that was rushing 10 the
fields of the antipodes
He didn't succeed in finding very
much gold, so ultimately he drifted
10 Melbourne, where he became a
court reporter and later dramatic
critic. Mr.. Bellew returned to Eng
land after the death OF his father lie
had mad enough OF the sea, he said,
and decided to stay on dry land and
seek permanent employment Of some
kind The idea OF adopting the stage
had not centered in his mind until
he saw an advertisement in Lon
don newspaper for low comedy
man TO join a company that WAS do
ing the provinces. MIR. Bclsew Was
not low comedy man: in fact, had
never been any nearer the stage than
the point which stops at the critics
seats. but he decided to take that job.
He applied to the manager, answered |
several awkward questions and final !
ly was engaged. Thus began in 1919 !
Kyrle Bellows singularly successful |
career on the dramatic stage
MIR Bellew made his American de /
hut at Wallack's S theater in New York /
ii 1885. He remained there two /
Years, playing many parts, aud cap |
tivating the hearts oi Broadway pat 4
rons OF the theater Women fairly /
raved over his appearance and bis /
acting and it is matter Of record /
that after the matinees they used to I
wait by hundreds near the stage door T
of Wailacks in order TO get peep (
5t the distinguished player.
Later, when Mir Bellew returned to I
ondon, he met Mrs James Brown I
Potter, who was taen at the zenith I
lf Acr meteoric rise in the drama iol-
lowing the 'Osler joe episode and q I
arrangement was made
between them. This association PROV
ed a notable event in stage history [
and was characterized chiefly by a /
our OF the world in which Mr. Bel
ew and Mrs. Potter introduced for
he first time the English drama in I
many parts of the orient A tour OF Il
America by these co-stars also prJY- 4
ID splendid success, but after three 4
ears Mr. Beilew temporarily aban /,
Toned the stag and went TO Australia /
o develop some gold lining proper
les
In 1901 Mt BelleW returned to War Il
acks tbeater the scene OF MS earlier
riunpbs, and presented in New York Z
Or the first time "A Gentleman
rance II had been years since I
lany old admirers OF the actor had s
cen him. and his return proved a I
riumph. He appesred older, his hair !
aving turned to a clear polished t
.hia although this was a change {
lat seemed to adj to the romantic
caring of tae actor II
"A Gentleman OF France was fol- lc
wed by a short season in the all II
ar Romeo and juliet company. {
zen came Rallies" the odd detec-
Ye play, which, from an artistic and
nancial standpoint proved kyrie
enew's greatest success. Few plays
American stage history ever have c
tanned the popularity Of Raifles
the title role Bellew seemed ~ c
I'VE been nodded for the part. No !
ie could conceive of any other act !
in the world playing The part bet 4
-r(~xytAfT- : ,.,.,f:,,,- c,it Ut,,.,,,