Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-05

OLIVER MOROSCO,
MAN WHO CAN DO
MOST EVERYTHING
California Producer Is Acrobat,
Skilled Manager and Various
Other Things
is A STRIKE BREAKER

About the lobbies the green rooms and
the box offices of the playhouses of New
York one hears illusions to "the man who
can do everything" Inquiry brings forth
prompt answer "Why. oliver Morosco,
of course"
1t is because he is "the handiost man
about theatre in America" that Mr..
Morosco is termed the man who can do
everything. He began his career as an
acrobat with the well-known family Of the
same name. When he ceased being an
acrobat he became treasurer and press
agent of his fathers big theatre of melo-
drama. the Grand, in San Francisco He
wore very black suit which matched the
Eloom of the big theatre In it's empty mo-
ments, and his expression was serious With
years of responsibility has come lighter
nature. At that time he was wont TO climb
on the paint frame and help the scenic
artist paint scenery. His youthful energy
was also lent to the aid of the property
man. When he had been graduated by cir.
cumStanCos from the position Of a salaried
man to the proprietOrship of a theatre. his
Janitors went on strike. Mr.. Morosco
removed his coat and cleaned the theatre,
and cleaned II well. The janitors. having
fbeen Modified. returned to work. Mr..
Morosco was by no means allowed to sit
back and rest. The billposters struck
Hiring small boy to help him, the young
man who wouldn't be licked jumped on the
billpoStinF wagon and for two weeks posted
his own bills. He got 'em on straight too
and in good places.
But In the midst of his. tribulations he
ala not forget now to play the piano He
improvises and has written successful sal
able songs. He dances so well that when
ne directs chorus it does not turn up its
collective noses at him and say rude things
9ehind It's hands. For he knows stage
dances and can do them, and show others
the steps He is n playwright having writ.
ten original plays and collaborated on many
others Give me the idea, that is all I
ask | can do the rest" he says as easily
as ne says, May | escort you TO your carp
lie is in most productions his own stage di.
rector. He has written scenarios for his
moton'picture company and directed five
reei features Tor them in California. He Is
co-author OF 80 Long Lefty" the successful
musical farce now at the Lyric as well as
canary Cottage" another musical play
which he used to open his New York thea.
ire Besides these musical plays he has
produced this season up Stairs and
down. "Mtle-a-Minute Kendall" "The
Brat and THE Fugitive" The latter two
are at present among the successes in the
metropolis. He is now preparing to return
10 Los Angeles, where he will make five
new productions during the summer The
nrst one Will be musical version of Sadie
Love to be called what Next" in which
he will star Blanche Ring and her husband,
Charles Winninger.
IL was during the preparation of Canary
Cottage for New York that Mr.. Morosco
demonstrated that the title given him was
right 1t was during a rehearsal that his
assistants confessed that their pride in
their own resourcefulness had taken flight
A bit ashamed they were because the OBJ
stacle, or rather the obstacles. before
which they capitulated were small They
were in fact midgets. The Ergotti midgets
two tiny men acrobats. were engaged for
Canary Cottage" but when they reported
for rehearsal nobody knew what to do
with them, for they knew no English word
Mr.. Morosco looked, smiled, thought and, as
Is his habit, acted He beckoned to the
pair of little men and hurrying from the
stage signaled a taxi As he expected. the
wee men were at his heels. The universal
language of pantomme had informed them
that he was the man in authority. He
opened the cab door, smiled and the midgets
jumped in.
ITO the City Athletic Club" he ordered
Arrived there, he again preceded the human
mites, who willingly followed him into the
gym. They watched him approvingly while
he slipped into tights. then he faltered Had
he forgotten the art? He had feared that
his legs had lost their cunning. But at the
sight of the midgets all of his forgotten
skill returned He quite forgot his mission
while he turned forward and backward
somersaults, strolled on one hand and waved
defiance with one foot at the sky; he won
the undying esteem of the midgets Finally
he showed them exactly what he wanted
them to do.