The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-23
BELOVED ACTOR IS
 BILLY CRANE" DEAN
 OF AMERICAN STAGE
Veteran of 70 Years is Still Youngster- Comes to Jefferson Tomorrow Night in "The New Hen rietta"- Supported by an All-Star Company. Colonel Watterson Pays an Earnest Tribute

, The boys mother was Mrs Harriett Holman, who had been a celebrated ac- tress in her time. She had formed a lit tie company of her own and used to tour the country presenting repertoire of plays, farceS, patrOmines and operettaS. In the company were three of her own children. Perugini was also a member, and so were Williahm Davidge, Jr., Charles Drew and others who became prominent on the stage.
 After Mrs Holman had heard Crane sing, she sent for his father. The result was that he was apprenticed to her, he to give his services in return for his training and board. Speaking of this bargain, MT. Crane said recently: Mrs. Holman always said she got the worst of it. I'll admit I did have a won derful appetite at the time Mrs. Holman insisted my provender kept her poor.'
 After his apprenticeship, Mr. Crane re- mained with the Holmans for five years, succeeding to the comedy roles in the operas they gave in those days. His first character was that of the notary in "The Child of the Regiment" This Was at Me- chanic's hall, Utica, N. Y, July 13, 1S63 In those days bill or an evening would as a rule. include little farce comedy, a pantomime and a one-act operetta. In addition to appearing in all of these. MT. Crane would sing and dance between acSs. f.f .5 Leaving the Holmans. Mr. Crane be- came the low comedian of the Alice Oates company. MT. Crane believes that Mrs Oates was the first to start lne musical comedy idea. She would insert m some of the comedies airs from the operas, and ner success was pronounced.
 Between seasons with this company, Crane went to Boston and was the first n nf lion ta r,1a Le Blanc in "Evangelne."
 Mi- Crane next joined out' with Hoo- ley's stock company in Chicago. He had something of a reputation as comlc opera comedian by this time but he saw no future in that branch of the stage. and he decided to be straight come dian at considerable loss of salary. Louise Hawthorne, Kate Salisbury, James O'Neill Nellie MoHenry, John Webster and other well kEown players of the time were with the Hooleys, and MT. 1 Crane had to start at the bottom. He 1 soon became stage manager, however, and worked his way forward rapidly. 1 His next engagement was in a play called Our Boarding House."
 An actor namer Stuart Robson was l engaged for the same part" MT. Crane said in telling of this, "and there was a misunderstanding. l found that Robson
 
 | him. The role of M. T. Elevator in the l same farce was then rendered to me. i We played a season, and this was the be- ginning of the team of Robson and Crane.
 At the end of the season the two men decided to star together. They secured Forbidden Fruit" and made their first starring venture in it. Then came 'Sharps and Flats" "Our Bachelors, ,' and 'The Comedy of Errors" The latter was such success that the two actors decided to stage a number of classics on a large scale. They revived the "Merry Wives of Windsor and then brought out one of their greatest successes. Bronson Towards "The Henrietta."N
 | The actors separated in 1889, since which time Mr Crane had devoted him self to the production of American plays. Among these have been Newport" "The Senator" "On Probation,p For Money, The American Minister" Brother John. D The Pacific Mail, His Wife's Father, A Fool of Fortune "A Virginia Court ship, Worth a Million" "The Head of the Family" Peter Stuyvesant" "A Rich Mans Son. David Harum,'' 1.-The Spenders,' Business Is Business .'The American Lord" "The Price of Money. .'' Father and the Boys," "The Senator Keeps House." and others. He also has appeared in vaudeville and in several re- vivals, including one previous revival of t"The Henrietta