The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-15
Mr. Otis Skinner Tells Dolly How His Friend, MT. Booth Tarkngton, Happened to Write "Mr Antonio0 For Him
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

IA Vow what shall this story be about? uW Naturally about MT Otis Skin S VI ner since he was the most impor- tant parsonage in Birmingham yesterday, and because countless hundreds are awaiting, too. with palpitating expec- tancy to hear something of this popular and renowned actor, which makes it more difficult, for it would seem that ev- erything which might be said about him has already been said.
 Then, too. the old dilemma confronts one, as it has confronted many more il- lustrious writers than your humble scribe, namely:
 'Is it possible to write dispassionately when ones feelings are intrigued? Fancy sitting in judgment upon the exposure of ones eyes!
 Tearing away the drapery from the feet of ones idol is a risky business you know; nine times out of 10 they are clayr'
 Ever since the early days of "Ths Honor of the Family''-nay, farther back even than that-Mr Skinner had been to me an ideal, one of the very best ac- tors I've ever seen; then along came ''Kis- met and MT. Skinner again eorrob- orated the estimate I had put upon him.
 Yesterday when I had the pleasure of a chat with him, shortly after his arrival here, I found him the same charming, elegant gentleman, the same stunning and attractive personality that radiates charm, not only on the stage, but in everyday life; courteous and responsive, cordial and gracious. sincere, unaffected, frank, utterly without pose, a delicious sense of humor. Could one ask more of a man? Or even of woman?
 Tell, me, MT. Skinner I begged, after an exchange of greetings why you are one of the best actors in American" 2 Am I?' he questioned, the faintest rip- pie of a smile emphasizing his modesty in the matter, as he gravely replied:
 "A long line of forbears, priests, minis ters, suppose; traditions that governed my early life. Anyway, it isn't so ter rifically bad, being black sheep. You recall, don't you, MT. Mark Twains Autobiography when he told of going back over his family tree and finding many of the Twains who were pirates, brigands, and all sorts of terrible things? suppose there must be something of the sort on every good family tree, so I became that vile thing known as an ac- tor"
 Which reminds me that for long time it seemed as if you were going to be identified with 'Kismet,' as the great play of your stage career" I observed. How could you have liked that?"
 Few actors really are found who are identified with only one play" said MT. Skinner Certainly the great est actors of the ages have been men of marvellous versatility. Take Sir Henry Irving, for instance. His reper- toire was more varied than that of al- most any other actor you can men tion. The Bells Faust" his Shake spearean productions. It was the same with Edwin Booth, whose Hamlet was considered by many his greatest spearean roles than any actor of his time With Tomasso Salvini, his coun- try demanded repertoire; it was a question of compulsory versatility and his Samson his 'Othello' and various other roles demonstrated this. Even Joseph Jefferson, who more perhaps than any other actor was identified with a particular role, Rip Van Win kle, had long line of successes be- fore that, so you see nearly every actor of renown has included in his roper toire many characters.
 And from the oriental splendor of 'Kismet' to the exotic atmosphere of Italy in Mister Antonio, you verify the