The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05

Mr.. Carr's father was a rabbi and
Alexander was intended for the pulpit.
The family came to this country from
Russia when the boy was years of age.
At ~ Alexander had made UP his mind
that he was not cut out to be q rabbi.
Argument seemed futile, so he settled
the difficulty by running from the home
In Winnipeg and Joining a circus. One
OF the clowns became III one day and
young Carr was hurried into the sick
mans clothes. that looked even funnier
on him than on the clown for whom
they were made. His face was chalked
and he was lifted up to the back Of an
elephant to ride In the parade. Cars
first public appearance was q hit. He
cut UP so many antics that he kept the
crowds on the street laughing. Then and
there he was enrolled as a regular
clown. After n year In motley he Joined
a medicine show, where he got more ex-
perience In a week than the circus af-
forded in a season. He was the star
performer. and II was pretty nearly a
continuous performance, but he was
happy and the So he received each week
seemed a lot OF money.
But Carr wanted to be q real actor.
so he Joined a repertoire company, play
ing school houses, court houses and
town halls, where tallow dips and oc-
casionally kerosene lamps served as
footlights Here he interpreted at one
time and another almost every kind OF
role in East Lynne" Lady Audley's
! Secret" and all the old favoritea In one
OF these plays Carr had the part OF q
young Jew. The manager OF a play
called ION the Stroke of Twelve" saw
| the performance and coaxed Carr's
manager to release the boy In order
that he might play a similar role in his
play.
The role was that OF a villain, but
| Carr persuaded his new manager that
the Jewish patrons were offended at
what they considered a caricature OF
their race. The manager finally told
Carr to change the lines. He prac-
tically rewrote the part, making the
character a hero instead OF a villain.
His success was such that next season
Carr was starred in the role which had
been expanded from bit to the domnat-
Ing character OF the play. That was
the making OF Carr. The company
came to New York and played at the
old Star Theatre at Broadway and Thir-
teenth street Several local managers
saw him there. After that Engagements
were easy. Afterward came Mr.. Carrs
remarkable impersonation of David
Warfields Music Master" IN wine,
Woman and Song at tho Circle The
atre. and, by the way. Mr.. Carrs ideal
actor Is Warfleld.
A year in London and long en-
gagement with Weber a Fields estab-
lished Carr more firmly In the public
esteem, but Il remained for the role of
Norris Perlmuttcr in the Glass comedy
to place Mr.. Carr In the foremost rank
OF actors. Incidentally he declares that
that was the hardest work he ever did
Mr.. Carr saws that Ndtcruss Ia different
from any other Jew ever seen on the
stage He is the first that ever made
love seriously, for heretofore the love-
making of Jews on the stage has been
roaring farce.
Mr.. Carr Is a singer Of exceptional
voice and training that began as boy
when he often sang in saloons for the
price OF his supper. But that was years
ago. although Mr.. Carr Is now only 80
years old.
THE greatest factor in any success.
I may have made as an actor says Mr.
Carr. "is the experience I got tramp.
ing the roads studying all kinds 81
people at first hand. Most Of the type.
: have portrayed on the stage 7 knew
, well from those old but happy. carefre,
days An actor cannot have too much
experience Of life. He should study al
kinds and conditions OF men, and the
only way TO do that Is to fraternize Will
them"