The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1913-07-26
written for the United Press)


back again, the stage folk, watchin
both sides of Broadway for a mex
seasons engagement. August l is tn
traditionally accepted time for actor
and actresses other than stars to be
~ gin hunting for engagements an
most of them save those who hav
good things in stock are foreheade
enough to get to the Big Town
few days ahead of time. It's the earl,
bird that gets the worm, they figure
and by the same token it's the earl.
worm that gets caught, in the opinion
of the wary managers, most of whom
take refuge from the deluge of ap
plicants by remaining out of towr
or in the seclusion of their private of
fees until the time comes when it is
imperative that they engage theil
winter players.
August, therefore, is the playtime
of the actors and actresses who are
aptly called the children of the
stage" They crowd the Rialto, which
is the name given that part of Broad
way holding the bulk of the towns
theatres, and all the managers Of
fees, from noon until night, and noisy
reunions occur almost every moment.
Friends of a former season meet for
the first time in months, maybe years,
and they just have to stop and talk
it over These are busy days for the
sidewalk policemen around Forty-sec-
ond street since the edict against
street lettering has been rigidly en-
forced. The stage folk are habitual
"standees" when on Broadway.
The stage folk are all optimistic,
that is. when they are being looked at,
though a close student of human ma
ture, if a bit unsympathic, might call
them "four-fushers. 1t is rather an
amusing study in physiognomy, to
watch the hurrying crowds of actors
these late summer afternoons. II they
happen to be alone, hurrylng on thelr
weary rounds from agency to agency,
one is more apt than not to see
worried, anxious look on their faces,
a furtively hunted expression about
their tired eyes. But at the corner
thew meet friends. An amazing change
of countenance takes place Win
lightning-like rapidity. The lines of
anxiety disappear as if by magic, ana
their faces become wreathed with
smiles and confidence.
No. they have not taken an engage
ment just yet, because it is SO early
in the season, and they want to see
some of the new Broadway shows be-
fore going out, and besides they are
undecided between two perfectly
bully engagements. Oh, yes, several
managers have made them offers, but
one show is to go all the way to the
coast, working fifty weeks, sure, while
the other is to tour the southern cir
cult where the weather will be heaven /
ly all season. They just cannot make
up their minds which to take. Both
jobs are characters, you know, and
thew are tired of characters and would
like a chance at some real work.
Surely. The friends understand
perfectly, for they are on the horns
of similar dilema themselves. And
then, wishing many farewells, they
hurry in opposite directions, accom-
panied by the same old weary look
and the weary round of agencies con-
.inues until closing time.
This season the Rialto throng is
arger than for several years past
They are here from north, west and
south from Canada and as far west
Is the Pacific coast. Last year was
IN exceptionally hard one on road
shows The trail was dotted early in
he season with their whitening bones,
md for that reason hundreds of men
md women came to town earlier than
hey ever did before to "get in on the
round floor" Because of last win
er's disasters Chicago rather lost
restige as an engagement center and
many actors who have heretofore
nade the Lake City their headquar-
ers. have come on to New York.
'ormerly the majority of the No.
ompanies and the popular price mel
drama aggregations have been made
D in the western center, but this
ear a great deal of business former
' done in Chicago is being attended
, on Broadway.
Then, too, according to old time OBJ
ervers, there were more than the
sual number of recruits on hand this
me. Dramatic schools are on the
lcrease throughout the country, and
cores of youthful aspirants. girls
nd boys, have come to Broadway TO
" to break in. They can be picked
1t on the Rialto by the freshness OF
leir faces, the absence of makeup,
lie amazement on their faces as they
are bewilderingly at the high build
rs and the eddying throngs, and
silly by their failure to join the
groups before the Cohen
Harris building.
Nobody but the actor knows the
carrying grind of hunting an engage
ont Along Broadway from Thirty