New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-10-06


is his fourth profession. Perhaps "oc-
cupation" would be a more exact word,
considering that Mr.. Bacon began his
career as the village photographer
Back in Mountain View, the small
California town where Frank Bacon
was born, there still stands the build
ing, in which are two rooms, where
Mr. Bacon was won't to pose bashful
newlyweds nd-later-their protest
ing offspring. But. slong about the
time the actor had to shave every day,
cameras and darkrooms began to bore
him and he looked about for something
more interesting to which to devote
the talents he felt lurked within his
youthful bosom.
Like many others, Mr.. Bacon had al
ways nursed the delusion that life on
a newspaper was just one thrill after
another. Wherefore he went to San
Jose, the nearest city, and pinned on
the steps of THE Mercury" until some
one let him try his hand at being a re-
porter. Delighted, Mr.. Bacon sat down
and waited for the murders to begin.
But somehow the city editor, having a
practical cast of mind, seemed to want
the newcomer to devote himself to
weddings, funerals and euchre parties
So this, too, palled, and Mr.. Bacon
excitement. In his spare evenings he
acted with an amateur theatrical or
ganzation. putting his heart into it
more and more as he became disillu-
stoned with politics. And in the course
of events. no one electing him to any
of the offices for which he ran, Frank
Bacon threw "respectability" to the
winds and went trouping.
For several years he travelled in
stock companies, fingered in repertory
organizations. and even took his own
aggregation to Portland, where he re-
manned for two years. His experience
with character roles then brought him
an offer from the famous old stock
company at the Alcazar Theatre, San
Francisco. He accepted, and remained
there for seventeen years, playing a
different part every week. The earth
quake brought the actor East, and now
he is the chief attraction in Light
MIN" at the Gaiety Theatre, as we'll as
oo-author with Winchell Smith of the
play.
When Julie Opp Faversham and Lee
Shubert present the gigantic patriotic
historical play of "Freedom," Marcia
Van Dresser will return to the speak
ing stage after an absence of several
years. Though she made her debut as
an actress, Miss Van Dresser abandoned
the theatre for grand opera, in which
she has risen to high distinction here
and abroad.
Her first important role as ali actress
was as the adventures in The Great
Ruby" in whwich she followed Blanche
Bates in Augustin Days company at
Days Theatre in New York. She
played Ada Rehan's part IN the same
play when this actress went to Lon
don. Then came a season as leading
mezzo- soprano with the Bostonians,
after which she appeared as leading
woman with Viola Allen IN Marion
Crawford's ''ln the Palace OF the King"
Her last appearance on the speaking
stage was as co-star with OTIS Skinner
when she played Francesca da Rimini.
The actress then went abroad to
study for opera. Her debut on the
operate stage was made at one of the
leading Continental opera houses as
Elizabeth in 'Tannhauser.' Returning
to America at the outbreak of the war
she became leading soprano with the
] Chicago Grand Opera Company for two
seasons. Though Miss Van Dresser has
not yet appeared in opera in New York
City, she has been heard here in con-
cert.
Jane Cowl wants company all her
own. And those who know her say
she'll get it.
In truth, she has made an excellent
start in that direction already. In the
company supporting her in "Informa-
ton, Please." are Orme Caldera, Henry
Stephenson, Cecil Owen, Hetty Ora
ham, Helen Salinger and one or two
others, all of whom have now been APP
pearing in plays with her for the better
part of four years.
Miss Cowl's idea, however, is not tc
form a repertoire company, if the truth
be known. She has little taste for rep
ertoire. On the contrary with the ex
ception of Lilac Time" which she
played two seasons, and not even tax
ing into account "Within the Law,
Miss Cowl has not played for more thar
one season in the same play. A play {
year has been her motto, and she has
been pretty consistent in living up to it
What she does want, though, is 1
company each acquainted with the
other, each familiar with the Others
peculiarities which can bring out tn,
best that is in a play.
Acting, after all, is Interpreting, Miss
Cowl argues. 1t is as susceptible o.
teamwork as is any other line of effort
Individually, other actors may be quit,
as good-better, perhaps, in simila
roles-yet if her theory is correct Mis-,
hal; hot