New-York tribune., 1917-12-30
By Salita Solano

By Salita Solano
"The first time We saw you, Miss
Claire, you were jumping into the air,
propelled by what felicitous thought
we know not. and eating an apple. Be-
tween bites you sang and tossed a
braid Of hair over your shoulder
Ina Claire's brow furrowed and she
pressed her finger into n marcel wave
TO indicate she did not recall the
picture.
"And then you went away and two
minutes later a little Harry Lauder
strode forth, and, with a shock, we
recognized his red nose as your own"
"Heavens, my past confronts me!
Why, that was when l first began in
vaudeville, because the song with the
apple was my old Blind Pig l re-
member that had few weeks book
ing, and mother and ] started out
filed with hope and six limitations.
Soon there was lay-oT which made
ne despair, but which led TO my first
musical comedy engagement in Jump
ing Jupiter"
"And now you preach the advan-
tages OF an early and determined
start. You were a mere child then"
Il must have been. Tn just TWEEN
ty-three now. From the hour I was
four years old ] was mad for the the
atre and tortured the family with imi-
tations and my own idea Of the art
Of acting. Oh, was intense in those
days. only wish could act ne we'll
now,'
Our expression upon hearing this
wall must have lacked sympathy. But,
anyway, no one could look at Ina
Claire and feel sorry for her any
more than one could be moved TO pity
for the sad plight Of William G. Nc
Adoo, Olga Pctrova or members Of
the sugar trust.
Poor Ina Claire! Enviably good
looking, a Belasco star with one OF
the seasons successes, oozing talent,
anxious to learn, aware of the differ
ence between what is worth while and
what is destroying, and with start
at twenty-three that only gunfre or
marriage can bring TO a full stop. Let
your tears fowl Ina Claire has need
of them.
And now you will consider we are
advancing a curious contention in as
serting that Ina Claire has q modest
opinion OF herself and what she has
done.
81 haven't accomplished much yet,
for I'm just beginning, and have every
thing TO learn" said she.
Fancy a member Of the theatrical
profession declaring she has some
thing TO learn! History was made In
that moment on n rose-colored couch
while the chauffeur waited below.
The profession" IS persistently per
meated with q conceit so deadly that
il constitutes an insurmountable bar
rier TO artistic success. From the
popular" star to the lowliest "under-
stander" Of an acrobatic troupe (who
fondly fancies he doesn't wiggle in
, crucial moments as much as do other
"understanders"), and even the extra
man in movie mob (who knows that
some day his worth will be rewarded
because his eyelashes curl far more
Geliciously than those Of the present
leading mani, all are bursting with
vainglory.
Actors who go-as occasionally they
do--to see the work Of real artist
I sit unmoved and critical, contemplat-
I ing whether the cause of this par
ticular players promotion from the
/ ranks was influence, an intrigue or
money, deciding in favor OF the in
trigue. "How do they get away with
it7' they murmur from time TO time.
Perhaps the costumes occupy some
small attention; or IL may be a past
and unforgotten scandal, revived 70
ease the boredom. An actor who
should go to admire and 20 learn.
wearing the becoming garment Of
humility, would be stupefying inno-
ya;ion.
Yve,te Guilbert, the great diseuse,
gave matinees last season in Boston.
Among actresses playing In town, one
was sufficiently interested 70 attend.
We saw her coming up the aisle at
intermission with hat and wraps.
"How do you do and Why are you
leaving so early" we inquired.
"My foot is sore. You have no idea
how u hurts when ! step on H."