The Washington herald., 1914-12-16
Voice of the" "Mopies" Calls
Another Popular Actor
Richard Buhler Declares the Realm Of
the Reel Wonderfully Fascinating
Field in Which the Ability of the
Player Is Put to the Acid Test.
By JULIA CHANDLER MANz.

BY JULIA CHANDLER MANz.
The siren voice of the "movies'' has
lured another popular American lead
ing man into the realm OF the reel.
And who do you think 1t is this time?
None other than our own Richard
Buhler, who is impersonating such a
yirile portrait OF Judah, the Prince of
Hur. more familiarly called "Ben-Hur. %
IN the play OF the same title at the
National Theater this week.
| In a delightful chat which / had with
Mr.. Buhler yesterday other matters took
precedence for a time, for Of course
wanted to know Just why he had left
the Poll Players last summer when he
was reputed III, and again why he had
elected to once more essay the title role
this season in Gen. Lew waIlace's IA
nous story after having spent three for
mer years in its portrayal
Yes; the rumor that I was Ill when
left the Poll company was all true
enough. Weeks and months Of appearing
In twelve performances a week while re-
hearsing for new piece at the same
time will eventually undermine any con-
stitution. You see I had not come to
Polls with the intention Of remaining so
long as / did. 1t was November a year
ton OF "Evangeline," in which / played
the leading masculine role in support Of
Emma Goodrich. that a limited engage
ment as the leading man in the stock or
! ganization in Washington was proposed
TO me and 1 accepted the offer with no
other intention than that II should be
for a few weeks.
Interesting Experience.
But you see"' he ended with a char
acteristic little gesture, which expressed
without words Just how he had let the
weeks drift into months until he was
afflicted with brain fag through such
strenuous work as is entailed by twelve
performances weekly.
And since you were with the Poll or
ganization?" l questioned. Whereupon
Mr.. Buhler gave me an enigmatic smile
and was silent.
And since?" I reiterated. determined
to know.
Il have had one of the most inter-
esting experiences OF my professional
life" he finally told me. 'T have played
The Thief with Dorothy DonneIly for
the Box ONCE Attraction Company, Of
which William Fox is president,-pIayed
Tor big screen production"
And the tone in which the informa-
ton was given was so keen with inter-
had been ensnared into the realm OF the
reel for more than the one production
Of which he spoke
Yes" he said. lit is true Just as
soon as this Panama Pacific production
Of 'Ben-Hur' releases me, at the close
of the present season. 1 am going TO
star in my own play. Paul Revere
which Is going to be rechristened The
Spirit Of 70 for the film production,
and can't tell you with what eager
ness I am looking forward to it,
confessed bit Of surprise and want
ed to know IL he didn't like playing the
big stellar role In ''Ben-Hur," the mart
In which he has made such a splendid
triumph.
It isn't that" came the quick response.
Il do like it There is a wonderful spirit
In the Tale OF the Christ as told by Gen.
wallace, which fills an actor connected
with its presentation with something like
insplrauonal fervOr. Then Messrs. Klau
& Erlanger and Joseph Brooks have al
ways treated me royalty. Under such cir