New-York tribune., 1919-11-23
AMUSEMENT NEWS AND STAGE DOOR CHA
Secret of Cozy Feeling
In the Big Hippodrome
Lies in Genial Manager

Lies In OenlaI Manager
When this year my respected Aunt
Jane, after her annual visit to the II -.
podrome, sat down and wrote a little
note of thanks 10 the playhouse for the
pleasure she had experienced in "Hon,v
Days." l smiled at her simplicitv
When in return she received an equally
charming note, saying that the manage
ment was always delighted to know thai
it hid succeeded in pleasing it's patrons
and hoping that she might find the seme
seat awaiting her for next years
production. signed "Sal'ie." she in turn
laughed at my sophistication.
nd then | remembered other sig
nficant trifes. The fact thu ~ 9,
soldier who passed through New Yort
insisted on going there and returned N
take his family, his sweetheart or his
buddy" The fact that my small
cousins always come home from their
thanksgiving party at the Hip full o.
excitement and thrilling tales gboui
exploring expeditions into the very
depths of the great playhouse. where
they unearthed ali sorts of UNEXPECTED
treasures from real elephant TO y
Chlnese dragon or a gilded chariot.
Where was the secret of this ioljv
friendly atmosphere? What had nrs'
vented the Hip from turning into vas.
amusement factory, as impersonal in ;.v
attitude toward patrons as b,nkino,
house or manufacturing concern9
lhe answer to the whole riddle. from
the smiling faces of the giant dooruan
70 the soft voice Of "Sallie" of the mai
order deNartmen+, ard the conr-osv a.
the oozen or more young men who oc
cupy the big box Offices to care for tho
waiting lines. lies in the little Office a.
the right of the lobby-the Office whose
uoor 9, IS never shut. If eventually the
World and his wife and his chi'dre,
pass the gateways of the Hippodrorne
at least half the time the whole family
stops for word with Mark LuescbeT
| had heard of Mr. Luescher before T
knew of him as The spectacular producer
VINO launched "The Spring Maid, and
as the man who made show history bv
MS brilliant exploitation of the mysterj-
Gus m SKIER Domino Rouoe" on the New.
YORK. Root. before Zeigfeld took j. over
for his "Follies." l imagined him large
imposing, dictatorial.
And l found slender, boyish-lookinp
/ person. with hair streaked with grav =
low and perfectly modulated voice and
the keenest gray eyes in the world
twlnking behind his glasses. As he sar
at his desk. cigarette in one hand ang
swiftly moving pen in the other. he wa
tar more suggestive of the professjona
world tnan the theater. The per
] stopped work and the owner rose Wit,
a smile.
II want an interview BEGAN some
what dlttidentl, but the words were
taken out of my mouth. ooh. thar
flne," said Mr. Luescher cordially: con,
entire cast Is at your disposal. | vii
send word to Mr.. Burnside, ard he
VIII ind any one you wish. Who is
1t! Belle St-ry 'Po~d'es,' Clvde Cool
or perhaps you would like to tall
TO the diver?"
But interrupted in my turn. "Oh
no. said, "I'm not looking for tn,
actors this time
Well, admit the elenhan-s a'wevs
seem seem good for story" said Mr
Luescher; "If you'll wait just half !;
second FL ca / Jerry. HIS kir~ Of ths
Underground domains. He mus, get yo,
some apples"-- But once more
broke in. "No, it isn't the elephant.
either much as love them" I began
When Mr.. Luescher hastily apologizod
ROW stupid of me-" he said. 90
course. ou are interested in 'App,t
bioss oms.' There are some really re,
PSOPie III tNGt cast,
But he got no further Desperatel,
sald: NO no. no. | came TO inter
view YOU. To talk about you. To 6nf
mt who you are and how You marare
90 Keep everybody happy and friendiS
for once Mr.. Luescher looked utter,,
dumfounded. He took long reviv.
ing pun at the cigarette, and ther
CHARLES Dillingham;
-, NO." | said. This is the storv a.
the ever courteous Mark Luescbar 90 y.
that lead won't do.r '"'
casting somewhat hunted loot
aSout Sut Mr.. Luescher began once ,nore
since my connection with the DiI'ino.
nan nam forces But he got no fnrraev
That's OUT" | said. Sorry b,,+ ''.e' fo
once you really win have to talk abo,,.
"oh, we'll" he said with a smile s..
give up Let's talk about the farm M,
ITly Iy own farm, back in Connecticut
mere are some apples that vare ;nst
sent IN this morning" 'N9
ana from q recess behind +be dasJ
POO cod basket full of wondo~f,,
4I Iu Iaidwlns and real country russets
ti'e hiho tnat you can't buy in FiftI
u lrhlt Shons. Ard between hites
NC to!o me all about the prize .Jersey
req pigs and the two aged ponies tha,
n;on,ony ever rides. but who are or
os eleied TO board and lodging for the res.
oi thelr lives for yeoman service don.
b;t 1tis ago II lie assured me that ever,
W. ;,a oi mrs Thanksgiving dinner woulr
and an "Vnae- wa aat grown from the turkey down
al'u we got so excited DISCUSSING IN,
relative merits of Plvsnoutb s',is B@cIs anc .nc
Nwyandottes that rgot all ahor. ~,
Ineater 7 and so did he. 1t was oniv "a. a.
rose TO go, with an app from Sonth.
port IN each pocket and one in NJ nv
; nano' that l thought to ask how h \
ma managed a,ways to keep smiling am;
"'s snsuitlfold demands and yexations
: is A1ser AT n all" said Mr.. Luescher, "th
tbe;r p ;ne peoples theater. 1t is real
host P<si,y' any only some one must pl: