New-York tribune., 1920-02-22
Lillian Roth at 6 Decided
To Be an Actress and Now
AT 9 She's in 'Shavings
By Iahbel M. Ross

Pstunia could scarcely be ignored in
IN interview Of this kind. After con-
ceiving = passionate regard over the
footlights for the irresponsive creature,
who figures almost as much as her
nine-year-old mistress in "Shavings,"
We went behind the scenes at the
Knickerbocker Theater, and to our i'm
mense satisfaction found Petunia cud-
died In the arms of little Lillian Roth.
Elbow do you do, Lillian 7" we began,
tentatively.
"Oh, arc you from paper?" queried
Lillian. "Let me introduce Petunia."
This was precisely what we had
wanted. We solemnly wagged Petunia's
lifelcss hand, lifted her red hood, which
was all awry, and gazed into pair Of
bs = ffty-ffty interview.
~ suppose Petunia Is your one and
only love p we asked the child.
"Well, like her. She's good old
thing, but she's only rag doll. like
china dolls who can go to sleep and
have pretty hair"
This was disillusionment We hugged
Petunia ardently A vision Of the
entire rag doll family rose before us
and we were up in arms in its de-
Tense.
"Well, Lillian. II you don't love rag
dolls, / do," we said, laying Petunia
tsnderly on the dressing table.
"Now let's talk about you. What do
you want to be when you grow up?"
Lillian, it might be explained, Is
playing a heavier child part in "Shav-
lngs" than any other juvenile actress
In New York at present and Is doing 1t
remarkably we'll.
She sat back meditatively after the
fashion Of the grown-up stars and
enumerated on her baby fingers the
things she would like to do.
First" said Lillian, 81 want to be
q great actress--a very great actress,
indeed, with my name twinkling, you
know, on Broadway"
This was quite what we expected, but
Lillian hadn't finished with her castles
In the air.
"Next, should like to be married
to a rich man and have lot of chill
dren and teach them myself"
We looked at Petunia. Did the
shadow of a smile fit across her i'm
passive features. or were we dream
ing1
should like to do" added Lillian. T'd
like to put peoples pictures in the
paper and write pieces about them"
Instead OF looking at Petunia, we
A1uSHcu outright tnlS Time.
Lillian is beautiful child, intelll-
gent and spirited, and she hasn't been
spoiled, although she has been in
pictures and on the stage for three
years. She has done so many things
that she can scarcely remember them
all.
II didn't start this work by acci-
dent" said Lillian. I teased and
teased until mother took me to a
picture studio. Other little girls were
doing 1t, and I wanted to start it, too.
be on the stage. l have played child
parts in The Inner Man, 'Penrod' and
The Betrothal.' Also l was in Per
shing's Children The Little Lost Sis
ters,' and l forget what else. It's fine
working in pictures, but like the
stage best, especially when have
big part like Barbara in 'Shavings.' l
was so thrilled tonight when l heard
the people clap"
Lillians big brown eyes sparkled
With excitement and her head bobbed
Gently confessed that she preferred
ingenue parts-not that any one would
be apt to associate her with ANYTHING
else.
But can you add and all the rest
OF !" we inquired anxiously.
"Well. should say l cam" was the
prompt reply 81 go to the Profess
sional Children's School and l love it.
In fact, I'd sooner go to school than
act. I'm not chazy about arithmetic.
but like reading and spelling. don't
know whether it is that learning your
lines helps you, but anyway, my lessons
seem to get easier every day"
Then Lillian showed us her lovely
first-night flowers, and told us that she
had q sixteen-year-o sister who
played in "The Magic Melody"
As we left the dressing room we heard
her clear voice ringing after US;
"Petunia says good night to you and
come again."
Y With horror we remembered that va