New-York tribune., 1920-05-09
Van and Corbett Work
Well Together Because
Of Mutual Admiration

When Billy B. Van and James J. Cor
bett were added to the cast of "What's
in Name" at the Lyric Theater they
were in the position Of entering a pro-
duction that had already been running
for some little time. With this in mind
they had themselves modestly heralded
on the program as "the intruders."
But the way of Van and Corbett has
been the way of q Napoleonic book
agent with "the lady of the house"
You know, those persistent fellows who
get their feet across the door jamb
quietly and stealthily and float into the
eloquence. Van and Corbett have made
some such progress. Originally they
made one appearance; then another
was added; then another was added;
then--in short, they are, in their own
words, weaving themselves into the
fabric of whats in a Name"
The Tribune reporter caught them
on the stage of the Lyric Theater in
the last moments of a hasty rehearsal,
for Van and Corbett have added to
their work in the production by nearly
impromptu first appearances. On the
of them had prompter within ready
reach, but everything went smoothly.
In a moment or two the rehearsal
was at an end, and in the comparative
quiet OF the dressing room, it was sug-
gested that Van discuss fighting and
Corbett the business Of drawing
laughs. This suggestion came as the
result of the remark of the former
champion that, in spite of the fact that
he has been an actor for twenty five
years, and has not boxed for nearly
fifteen years, the moment his name is
seen on theater program the aver
yes, Jim Corbett, the boxer" Jim Cor
belts fame as boxer has overshad-
owed the reputation that he has gained
in the years that he has given to the
stage and, of late, to the screen.
Billy Van was asked by Jim Corbett
to step outside, SO that Corbett might
speak freely of his teammate.
~ turned down chance to work in
the pictures" said Corbett, once Van
was beyond earshot. because l liked
to work with Billy so we'll. It's much
because he makes it so easy. Of
course, he's one of the most expert
enced men on the stage at drawing
laughs; but it's the confidence that he
gives to the man who's working with
him that counts. There's always the
unexpected; the new lines and laughs
that he gets at every performance.
Then he's not jealous of his lines; if
happen by accident to break in on one of
his laughs, it doesn't matter. The an
swer is that he's not temperamental,
conceited actor, but a hard working
human being"
When this analysis and description
Of his friend had been finished, Cor
be.t summoned Van, and the latter told
something Of his side Of the story.
"Some years ago." he began, 81 wrote
for Ebert Hubbard little piece called |
The Seriousness of Being Funny and |
Pm going to write another for his son |
on the religion of business-the re-
ligion that should be carried into prac-
tice in the theater. If a manager ad-
vertises certain attractions he should |
give them to his audiences; in other
it is important that man
should keep his word, whatever busi-
ness he may be in. For myself, find
my satisfaction In my work. am not
fitted to become the world champion
that Jim was; | haven't the business
ability to organize a big corporations;
find my satisfaction in making peo-
pie laugh. l have spent my whole life
loing that"