The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16
By GEORGE c. TYLER.
r 7 is hardly fair to ask me about
the stars I have developed. as
. you express it, / really haven't


~ r 7 is hardly fair to ask me about
the stars 1 have developed. as
- you express it. really haven't
developed any, in the strict sense Of
the word. They developed themselves
under my direction. That is the best
way to express it. I gave them the
opportunity and I assisted with ad-
vice, with exploitation and with plays
which 1 obtained for them or which
] had written with their personalities
IN mind. The credit for. any success
they achieved belongs, however, to
themselves.
Charles Coghlan, one of the most
finished actors of modern times-in
ever saw on the stage-was the first
player to become a star under the
direction Of the Liebler company, OF
which was the general director. In
fact, the Iiebler company began with
him. The facts Of our coming to-
gether have humorous aspect when
viewed through the telescope OF time.
but they were decidedly unhumorous,
let me tell you, twenty years ago.
~T had decided to become an in
dfvidual producer. When I arrived at
that determination I had the ambi-
ton but no ready cash. heard that
Charles Coghlan had play he was
anxious to have produced. At that
time he was a very well known
player, but he had never been an In
dividual star. He was best known as
q leading man. He had played with
Mrs. Langtry, with Mrs. Fiske and for
many years in the support of his
Gster Rose
Both in Same FIX.
Il got into communication with him
and suggested that I go to his lodg-
ings to hear the play read. l was a
great admirer of his acting and i
thought that he had possibilities as a
star He sent back word that he would
prefer to come to my hotel and read
the play. I afterward learned that
he was living in most unpretentious
surroundings and that his pride would
not allow him to receive any one at
home. Did he but know 1t, I was
in something of the same fix myself.
I owed a hotel bill Of 1871 and was
nearing the limit of my credit with
+ tho particular hosiery where I was
4 living. My room was a modest one,
small and on a court. 1t would never
DO to receive Coghian thes e: 20 "a"
"I hit upon the idea OF giving him
Nlunch in the dining room and of hav-
ing the play read across the table.
When he arrived he was a picture OF
shabby gentilty. but he had the
courtly manner of a grand duke. To
keep up my particular bluff / ordered
n quart OF champagne with the lunch
When l saw the head Waterfall the
manager into consultation after I had
given the order 1 was in fear for a
minute or two that the game was UP.
I kept watching them out of the cor
ner of my eye and trying to listen to
Coghlan expound the merits OF his
play at the same time. They finally
decided to take a chance and the wine
was opened.
1.-THE play was The Royal Box an
adaptation that Coghlan had made OF
an old English play called 'kean.' l
became enthusiastic about its pos
sibilities, asked for few days In
which to consider the matter, and
brought It to the attention OF Jack
Reed, a theatrical friend who had
previously approached me with the
Information that he knew a man who
as willing TO invest a few thousand
pillars in a play. This man was Theo-
re A. Iiebler. well known lithog-
pher. We introduced him to Cogh-
and preached the subject of the
n b. Coghlan looked SO shabby when
meeting came OF that Liebler
ked at me s; ally, but he forgot
. ut his personal appearance when
\ talked to him for a little while.
7 agreed TO go along on the PROPOSE
!. Jack Reed was taken in and the
a OF Liebler q Co. was organized.
x 0pghlan immediately touched IA