The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04

reporter hurried back to his seat and
laughed with the rest Of the audience
at that discordant screech that the
actresses neighbor back home used to
think was singing.
Her biographer begins:
In a quiet, comfortable little homo
in Rochester. n. Y, where order and
the strictest discipline reign supreme,
where old granddad sat, and a grand
dad clock chimed the hours away, We
find little Alice Hills playing her first
| part.
Alice was about Z years old, and the
stage setting for her first effort was In
her very own home, where she had
every comfort to be wished for. How
ever, the reward for her first bit was
not nice notice from leading critic,
applause from an enthusiastic audi
ence or even kind word Of apprecia-
ton. 1t was a good thorough spank
Ing. And her first character part was
that OF initiating an eccentric old
granddad with such success as to war
rant sound whipping from an unap-
preciative mother. Then there were
some English cousins from Europe
Y
Rochester and who talked In such a
way as to inspire new material for
Alice's mimicry powers. She immedi-
ately started rehearsal, and met with
such success as 20 be sent from the
table at each meal to save embarrass-
ment among the elders. So knowing
the true beginning Of Alice's career
we can't wonder she is of the theory
that actresses are born, not made.
At the dignified age OF IA this little
girl was the proud owner of a beauti-
full voice, voice with a sweet, soulful
quality, that didn't exactly 60 with her
talents for mimicking and comIcally
characterizing her grandparents. but 1t
was voice which soon found its way
into church choir and demanded a
certain amount Of dignity OF the mis-
behaved Alice to hold the position OF
contralto soloist. 1t was through her
singing In this same choir. still only IA,
that her career was seemingly pointed
out. and she had an opportunity to
study abroad aspiring to opera. Then
something as unexpected as the dis
covery Of this little girls beautiful
voice came. something as unexpected
aCllnE
came-the sudden illness OF her much
beloved father. which necessitated our
Alice to play her first real character
part. for she became the man of the
house, as II were. without a rehearsal,
When circumstances necessitate a
quick decision as to lucrative line of
work rather than desired profession
we sometimes find ourselves entirely
out OF our sphere. But this was moi
the case with Alice. for these unlucky
circumstances were the cause OF a
most beneficial engagement in the
stock company of her very own home
town.
Would 1t be too much to ask one II
. believe that Alice's first part was a
Biblical one? They placed her imme.
diately in The Holy City" which
needless TO say. was a good start. I,
was the first OF 1853 parts which Alic,
} fell heir to, ranging in everything
from Shakespeare to Uncle Toms
Cabin" and covering five years Of
valuable stock experience.
From season with De Wolf Hop.
per and Marguerite Clark in "Happ,
Land" Alice became the gypsy girl ir
Reginald De Koven's Golden Butter.
, n.y." part which was elaborated b,
Mr.. De Koven himself to meet Alice.
unlimited talents. and a song called
1.-THE Elf King was written for the
ever radiant voice OF our little Roches-
ter girl.
Then came the Spanish girl II
Mime. Sherry" and the sentimental
milliner with Hyams & Mcintyre In
"Girl OF My Dreams" and wei
equipped was our Alice for a Spanish
girl, for she possesses the first inKre
dients in two large eyes and an olive
skin. From these suitable things (suit
able only because OF Alice's success IN
them) We find her at last arriving bas
and baggage into the land of rea
Dreams Come True-character work.
Her Caroline Pickett, with Kolb 4
: Dill in Peck OF Pickles." was tn,
first, followed by a character vampir
with Christie Mcdonald in THE Littl
Misses with FritZie Scheff in Illus
bands Guarantee the bride in Her,
Comes the Bride" and now in TAX
, 1t From Me-" now running at the For
ty-fourth Street Theatre. which ha
caused many a proper old person I,