South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-04
Theatrical Day.


The discerning reader viii probably
observe before he has perused half
this column that our Theatrical day
is very much much Ia Verne Stock Co
day and that we have quite ignored
certain other meritOriOus histrOnic cell
ebrities who have either drawn their
first breath in, or inspiration from, our
snug little community, and have since
hied themselves TO distant parts. These
latter. while entitled 20 indivual mem
ton, we Will reserve for Celebrities
Day. and in this issue will cOnfine our
selves TO La Verne stock Co. This
highly entertaining organization, indi-
vidually and collectively, has already
been introduced TO the south Bend
public through the press over the foot
lights and on The Aisle. But they
have not been welcomed TO our buzz
yum as Feller Citizens. The pleasure
is left US 20 present them To you from
this angle. and inasmuch as they pro-
pose 10 stick around and 10 accept our
laws, language and customs and are
quite worthy OF Teller Citizenship, we
trust YOU Will take them into your
hears and let them borrow your but
tonhole scissors or waffle iron or
whatever they might want. and be as
neighbOrly as YOU know how.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have with
us tonight:
vi. Robert Vessels, who is not tall
enough TO interfere with the trolley
wires. but too tall 10 pass through the
stage door without warping, is the son
OF a minister and started out in life
to follow his fathers calling How
ever, as smoking a calabash pipe was
not compatible with the dignity Of his
profession, and as he was powerful
attached TO calabash, he fOrsOOk that
piOus vocation for the stage, and now
feels free TO enjoy his pipe at all hours
OF the day or night.
Mile. Grace Fries, wI>o can portray
a Insufficient stenographer just as
truthfully as she can a million-dollar
debutante. was born and raised in San
Francisco. Unfortunately. severe
seismic disturbance bumped up its
back under the coast city early one
morning ande made existence there
very precarious for the nOnce. The
nOnce covered "A period OF several
years and in the meantime the Fries
fortunes were wiped out. Nile. Fries
was compelled TO seek a means of livi-
hood and chose the stage. That's the
answer.
VI. Herbert Curtis first saw daylight
on foggy evening in Richmond. Va,
just twenty eight years, one month
and nine days ago. NJ. Curtis ia
great nephew of Robert T.. Lee, and
upon investigation we learn that Rob-
ert +. Lee was the name of a soldier
"A race horse and a steamboat. In
fortunately. Mr.. Curtis neglected 10 in
form us which Of the three he was
related to, but the steamboat is pro-
badly the most famous
VI. Guy NuIham, Of independent
means and young man who finds
less sport in spending money than in
making IT, when a mere lad used to
model clay figures with such skill that
his proud parents decided he should
become a great sculptor. Accordingly !
after some preliminary training, he |
was taken as a student by Frederick /
MacMOnnies in 1906. However, before |
he had completed his first year Mac
Monies was commissioned 10 make |
the pioneer statue for Denver and
young Guy was left 10 his own devices
for occupation. He chose the stage as
an outlet for his artistic propensities. !
BY virtue of his early training in soul |
pture he has very light and sensitive |
touch, which is plainly noticeable |
from across the fOotlights.
Nile. Olive Blakeney, dainty and de-
mure. is native of Kaintucl6y. a state |
famous for its beautiful women, fast |
horses and smooth likker. Needless |
10 say. Mile Blakeney is not familiar /
with the likker but has more or less |
TO do with the fast horses. Her faith |
er kept a couple of bluegrass thor |
oughbreds and at the age of ten thir |
fair haired little Miss conceived an 4
ambition TO become a circus equestri- /
enne. With the cooperation of Uncle |
Jeff, the darky coachman, she got the /
more docile Of the horses out in the /
pasture lot back of the stables and |
tried some fancy bareback riding /
The fancy part Of her performance /
consisted of a single high dive, head /
first, from the sleek back Of her mount /
and though II was a drop OF only five /
feet. Mile BlaSney said 1T looked more /
like a hundred, and besides she didn't /
land in the most comfortable position. |
Her interest In the circus died on the |
spot.
Mile. La Verne also had a few ex-
periences. While playing the part of
an old cOlOred nanny at the Casino
Roof in New York she put on her
makeup at her boarding house 20
save time The landlady imported
Colored help from Culpepper. Va, and
they were the genuine old time south
ern article. a new and ignorant
house-maid by the name of Alice had F.
recently taken a place there. and be /
came quite attached 10 Mile La Verne /
taking particular care To have her /
rooms always in order and otherwise \
demonstrating her admiration for the \
actress. She had never seen Mile. la i
Verne in her makeup and one day !
just before the latter left for the 1