The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-10
Comedian Absolutely Refused
to Talk About Self Except
to Tell History.
TRACK RIVALS EXPLODE
Wagging Jaws and Jawing
Ways Hang Up New Records
in Luna Park.


their art In the "Hitchy-Koo 1918"
classic at the Globe Theatre have been
getting up very early in the afternoon
daily and then devotlng every possible
moment until early bedtime the next
morning to getting themselves In trim
for the momentous athletic event known
40 the "IIitchy-Koo Track and Field
Day"
Even the boss of the show. Hitchy
himself of late has been walking all
the way from the Lambs Club to the
stage door of the Globe Theatre, or the
entire length Of Longacre Square. before
performances and back again to the
Lambs Club after the show Is over
nightly instead OF rollsroyceing as in the
old days, Athlete Hitchcock knowing full
we'll that unless one is in training one
has no business engaging in heart break
ing track and field events.
Also the gentlemen of the ensemble,
all of whom were entered In the event
known as the wrist watch disentanglins
contest, and Athletes Leon Errol Roy
Cummings, Earl Benham, Athletesses
Irene Bordoni, Eleanor Pickles Sinclair.
Ray Dooley. Ruth Mitchell, Lucille OAR
ling and all the rest of the boys and
girls in Athlete Hitchy's show have for
weeks been training from sunset until
dawn In the Forty-second Street Couhtry
Club grill against the coming of the
great day when they were to vie for
place in the world of Drawn and muscle.
All Arrive in Trim.
Wherefore the entire company fol-
lowing a particularly early afternoon
breakfast yesterday, arrived at Luna
Park, Coney Island-the scene of the
track and field events-trained to the
minute and glowing with the red eyes
and blue lips of youth.
And II was a good thing for the audi
ence which had bought tickets for the
"Hltchy Koo 1918" show at the Globe
Theatre last night that 1t was somewhat
hot in the sun yesterday. even at Coney
Island, for otherwise II IL doubtful that
the show folks ever would have got back
to Broadway in time to give a perform
ance. Because It so happened that a
very sunny spot out in the middle or
Luna Park was selected az the scene OF
the most severe endurance tests OF the
whole programme of nerve and muscle
6tralning events
These endurance tests were known as
the "long distance monologuc" and the
''press clipping contest" only male men,
bers OF the company being permitted to
take part in these two gruelling events.
OF most Importance, perhaps, was the
long distance monologue inasmuch as
the nature Of this contest was OF kind
TO try the stoutest souls.
The idea of the contest was simplicity
itself. despite the fact that participation
in the event required almost superhuman
No. ., - A. 4,
this event was called by Starter Jacques
Pierre and Handicapped Harry Kline OF
the business end OF the "Htchy Roo
1918" forces all the male actor athletes
taking part in the long distance mono
logue" FIRST drew numbers and then
ranged themselves in company formation
out in the Luna sunlight
Some Contest:
Then the actor fortunate enough to
draw No. ! took his stand out in front
of the rest Of the actors and at the
word Cor began to talk about him,
self. The rest of the actors in company
formation had to listen. And IL any
actor among the listeners had the physi-
cal strength to keep from talking about
himself while No. 1 was talking the
actor-listener who restrained himself
longest won.
Oddly enough the boss of the show
Old Hitch. drew number one. But
Hitchy was generous: he refused to
begin the long distance monologue. For
an audience he might have had not
only the suffering Leon Errtl. Roy Cum.
innings, George Moore, Earl Benham and
all the lesser lights of the "EIitchy-Koo'
troupe. but also a great throng OF limo
cent bystanders from the Ave boroughs
and beyond who were spending the day
in Luna Park.
Ladies and gentlemen" cried HitcIy
modestly when Starter Pierre had yelled
GO! and all the other actors. alread
beginning to sweat under the strain
had clamped their fingers firmly onto
their upper and lower Jaws. why tall
about my own accomplishments? VIII,
speak of a career that already Is known
to every little child In two hemispheres
mo. l shall graciously give way to
number two. knowing full well that who.
ever he may be his recital of his OWL
achievements at least will have the nov.
city which an account OF my own uni.
versally known contributions to art
would wholly lack. All l could DC
would be to bore you with the details
of the way l knocked them cold In m,
homo town of Auburn. n. Y, when
while still a mere boy and an amateur
the learned critic of the Auburn Morn.
ing Sunset said OF my work In an anna.
teur performance OF Hazel Kirk at tn,
First Presbyterian Parish Hall In the
winter OF 188t---"
Just a Slip of the Tongue.
THE same year 1 won a medal 70,
eoft shoe dancing at Amateur Night IL
Pat Moneys old Saratoga Chips bur
lesque show at Sam T. Jacks Theatre IN
Chicago" screamed Athlete Roy Cum
innings. whose two listed grip on his lowe,
features had slipped. 81 was only a xix
tfen, Hitchy. but as heaven is my Judge
the way I knocked that fast audienc,
cold WITH
SO they threw Athlete Cummings GU
OF the lineup before II had dawned upoI
him that by weakening he tad lost al
chance of winning the solid gold media
which was the first prize for the lon,
distance monologue event.
with Ingomar' on tour" the Lowell,
voice OF Athlete Hitchcock could b,
heard saying evenly when some OF IN
Noise which attended the throwing on
of Athlete Cummings had died down .
bit, (which. as every student OF tn,
American drama knows. was my frs
professional engagement. And VIII
take UP your time by telling you tina
in 1890. upon finding myself in financia
straits in Philadelphia. the eminent MI
John Wanamaker-who doubtless ha
heard of my various mental and physIca
Rifts-gave me a flfty-two week engage
nent back Of the gents half hos
counter in the old Wanamaker store a
Thirteenth and Market streets
"And why, ] pray you, should ] Dor
YOU further with the details of m