New-York tribune., 1920-03-14

A& unes dramatic section who write
~ about what they like best in it
are to be believed, the interview
with the great and near great Of the
stage is very popular form Of COM
blning the news in colorful way with
something Of the personality of the
man or woman in the public eye be-
cause Of work for the spoken or the
silent drama.
Realizing, as the public must, the
value to play or picture of this free
advertising, it may prove revelation
to learn that the way Of the inter-
viewer is not always strewn with the
rose petals of welcome, that his life
is mot all beer and skittles."
OF course, there are the wise play
ers, playwrights and play producers who
appreciate the opportunity offered to
state their views and to impinge their
characters, the merits OF their offerings
and their plans for the future upon the
playgoer's mind. But there are others.
Among these are those who think it
more aesthetic or more ethical to pose
as the shrinking violet, who would
not stoop to seek publicity or even to
accept it when thrust upon them or
presented on silver salver Then
there are those who, through ignorance
or negligence in preparation, have
nothing to say for publication" These
usually indulge in trite and vitupera-
tive arraignment of the critics, espe-
cially if visited on the day following
their own openings, when the reviews
contain any suggestion of Improvement
in play, production or playing, or, in
fact, anything at all save unstnted and
sometimes undeserved praise
Let us lift the curtain for moment
on the bare "backstage" of realism and
cite few actual and recent experiences.
Some years ago a newspaper man,
probably a young and inexperienced re-
porter in some small town, and perhaps
inadve vertently, misquoted one member
OF now famous stage family, or for
got, perhaps, and used in his story
something said in confidence, or at least
not intended to be printed. 1t may be,
even, that the player interviewed did
not realize until 1t appeared in relent-
less type that the something should not
have been told.
! Be that as it may, the result is that
the entire family has consistently re-
fused to be interviewed ever since
Quite recently one of them was in
duced through managerial! importuni-
ties to make an exception to the rule
and when his interest was aroused
launched into an impromptu and clever
ironical lampooning of the dramatic re-
viewers, based on the familiar land
Brutus is an honorable man." which
Shakespeare so powerfully placed in
Mark Antony's address to the Roman
populace above the still warm body of
assassinated Caesar. 1t was good copy
But early the next day, after fam
lily conference or just merely plain
case of ''cold feet" the interviewee got
the unfortunate interviewer on the
phone and demanded galley proof
of the story. The story had not been
written, and "galley proofs" do not
leave newspaper offices under any cir
cumstances. But the star begged off
and what was left of his interview
was tame compared with what would
have been written-what he actually
said.
Then the other brother made the
supreme effort Of his career, and with
great success. He was therefore sir
the news" as the newspaper men say
An interview with him on his success:
and his ambitions for the future wa!
just what the theater public wanted
1t was the obvious thing for this col
umn to-day and was intended to occup,
this very space. Enthusiastic over hi
wonderful reception, the younge,
brother readily accepted the chance
offered to tell of his work on tn
part in which he had just scored a,
epochal triumph, Of his justified hope
and plans. But at the last moment he
too, reneged and the palpitating pub
lie Is left like pilotless "blimp'
houndering in mid-air.
SO much for the illustrious family