The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-03
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

Every Johnson has his Boswell anu during the past week I had the pleas ure of meeting the man who mas gained for himself this distinction with MT. Robert Mantell, the great Shake sperean actor.
 The man and author is MT .. J. Bullet, the business representative or MT. Manten, and the close intimate friend of the renowned actor, who better than anyone else Is in posi- tior to tell the story of the romantic life of this popular interpreter of Shapeaspeare.
 MT. Bullets visit to Birmingham gave me the pleasure not only of hearing from one who knows many interesting inside facts about Mir. Man. tell and his successful theatrical ca- reer, but also of meeting the man who has written down the facts.
 MT. Bullet is a young man of pleas ing manner and address. For many years he has been very close to MT Mantell, and his admiration for the great actor, his belief in MT. Mantell's superiority of intellect and talent, and
  reer of this noted tragedian. makes him at once an unusual and original character.
 Mr. Bullet is an ex-newspaper man. having done some notable work with some of the most important newspa- pers in this country, feature writing" managing editor and reporter, being among his most interesting expe- pcriences.
 MT. Bullet was in particularly happy frame of mind when I met him and asked him to talk about MT. Man tell--the subject nearest and dearest to his heart-and he frankly admitted than when he set to work to talk about his favorite actor it was hard to stop and I promptly told him that I wouldn't stop him, but let him talk to his hearts content.
 You see, when I talk about MT Manten I talk in volumes" MT. Bullet saia- 'I've just finished writing 'The Romance of Robert Mantell,' and it is now in the hands of the publishers. This, of course, is an exhaustive re- view of his life and his stage career, and many unusual points have been brought out which the public never before has heard of. Especially is MT Mantell interesting at this time-this southern tour he Is making presenting a repertoire of Shakespearean roles with the innovation of Richelieu.' the only play included outside of Shake speare, as he is heralded far and wide as the modern Booth. During the pres ent tour Mr. Mantell has demonstrated the fact that he is undoubtedly the worthy successor of the great trage- dian. If I were to quote facts to you I'm sure you'd think them unbeliev able. as there Is an impression prev alent in some minds that Shakespeare is no longer popular, either artistical- ly or as a box office asset, but let me say this: In New Orleans MT. Man tell played for two consecutive weeks and the standing room only sign was out at every performance; in Nash vile he played a weeks repertoire and played a return engagement to crowd ed houses; and in Atlanta--everywhere 1t is the same Doesn't this absolute ly banish the theory that Shakespeare spells ruin? Isn't this a crushing blow to the idea? The veteran critic. Will liam Winter in his recent book, .Shak espeare on the Stage points to Mir Mantell as an especially shining example of the reverse of the theory, and then goes on to show that the enormous fortunes accumulated by a Jew modern plays. such as Rip Van Winkle' and The Music Master are