Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-12

business amounted to ten thousand hundred dollars
seven thousand. Miss Allen established star
and Leber & Company entered upon plans for big
operations.
years ago Lebler & Company have starred Eleanor
Robson Elsie Janis Kyrle Belew, William Faversham
Dustin Farrlum, William Hodge George Arliss and
other famous actors, and have been powerful
leaders in the theatrical war that IS still raging
ONE of Americas famous stars, who is also sue
Cessful producing manager, first saw his name IN
big type the result of successful bluff The star IS
Henry Miller The he able to bluff is Charles
Frohman.
When Mr. Miller at the zenith of his popularity
leading of the Empire Theater Stock Company,
he intimated to Mr.. Frohman that it would be an ex
celent idea to place him at the head of an independent
company. Frohman agreed and declared he would do
as he found a suitable play. When awaiting
this devoutly wished contamination Mr. Miller set about
expedite the discovery About the same time Charles
Klein, then comparatively unknown dramatst, was
looking for to produce play in which he had
great faith. He Henry Miller day, and told him
that the play just suited the Miller personality and
acting methods
The suggestion came at the psychological moment
and Mr.. Miller fired with enthusiasm. Before
waiting to hear the entire plot of the story he seized
Klein, and the two hurried to the Frohman Offices
Leaving the author outside, Miller projected himself
into the presence of Charles Frohnan and announced
that he had found the play.
"Fine!' was Frohman S comment. sit down, Henry
and tell me all about it.
The young leading man was stumped. 10 save his
story Klein had told him. But to make such add
mission meant the loss of that opportunity which
knocks seldom at ones door. Without the flicker
of eyeash he began rattle off the story of the play
Bv rapid speaking and quicker thinking he managed to
unfold narrative that fairly bristed with dramatic
situations borrowed from old plays he had read, in
which he had acted when he stage beginner but
which he thought his auditor would not remember
When he finished he sat in fearful silence, wondering
if the story had sounded plausible. 1t had. Frohman
pressed several buttons. To his 1ieutenants who
he q
gaging cast and turned to his new star.
"You take charge of everything, Henry he OBJ
served. "When YOU get the rehearSals going let me
know, and I'll go down and look at your play
Miller stumbled out of the office and down the steps
When he reached the waiting author that man was in
nervous frenzy and demanded to know his fate; but
Mr.. Miller grabbed his arm and whispered
Get away from here quick possible! It's all
right He's going to do it, but this no time for ques
tions-especally from him."
week later Frohman informed that Miller
had the play in shape and he stroed down the street
rehearsal At the end of the first act his COM
ment
"Very good indeed; but where's the situation in
which you did SO and so?'
That's cut out Miller hurriedly explained. 1--WE
found that it nerfered with the smooth action of the
play"
I'm sorry, unused the other "for liked that situa
ton"
At the end of every act similar questions asked
and similar replies made. When the final
acted MIR. Frohman said
well, Henry somehow or other it seems very much
changed since you told the story; but it looks like
a pretty good play. Go right ahead with it
Henry Miller went ahead with it, and Mr. Frohman
had no reason to regret the Changes" The play
"Heartsease.7 1t made Henry Miller star, and it
made Charles Klein playwright. Both have done far
bigger things since; but both remember with chuckles
of delight that daring coup detat carried out with
brilliant success by Henry Miller and silently APP
pauded by Charles Klein. But it several years
later before they found to tell Charles Frohman
the true history of "Heartsease.'
RILLIE BURKE is perfect example of the power of
- the public to star an actress She starred at