New-York tribune., 1920-09-12
Methodisnn, Journalism
And Stage Combined to
Make Brock Pemberton


I took my degree there in 1908. When
White let me have the money he said
| could work and pay it back to him
some time. What if / should die be-
fore ! pay it back to you? I asked.
Then you can shovel some coal on the
fire for me and work it off down be-
low he answered.
Until the desire to do big city news
paper work struck him Pcmbcrton
worked on The Gazette. He was the
the staff. The Sun was the only New
York paper which made It's way into
the shop at Emporia, and il any other
New York papers existed Pcnlbcrton
did not know of them When William
Allen White was East he told Chester
Lord Of his young star reporter. Armed
with letters from White and Walt
Mason, he came to New York ten wears
ago in search of metropolitan expert
cnce. He went to see Mr.. Lord, but
there was no place for him ON The
Sun. Finally, after a weeks search, he
visited The Mail with letter 10 Frank
Adams (the same +. p. A. vino CON
ducts The Coming Tower in The Trib-
une).
Frank came out wearing big COW
boy hat. He read the letter, went in
to see the managing editor, and in five
minutes the latter sent for me. 'W;u
to work the next day. did q variety
of things. contributing occasionally to
F. P. AS always in Good Humor.'
Then the dramatic desk became vacant
The managing editor called me in and
asked me if knew anything about The
theatcr. 1 used to review the plays
that came to Emporia,' told him.
'Woul Id you like to Try it here he
asked. SO | got my chance at dramatic
criticism and the first thing was
called upon to review was Every
woman"
For about two years Pcmbcrton was
Louis Defoe's assistant on The World
and then he spent about three and a
half years as dra. Tic editor Of The
Times. When Art:'ur HOPKINS offered
him position in hi, producing or
fession.
"When ! came to New York I had
no idea of going into the show bust
ness. In fact, had no idea Of stay
ing in New York. expected to get a
year or two Of experience and then
go back to Kansas to run Il paper Of
my own. Gradually. as felt that |
was getting along we'll, | gave up all
thought Of gong back 20 Kansas.
found it very hard to give up the
newspaper business and go with Ar
thur Hopkins at the Plymouth. | did
practically everything there except di.
rection, and learned a great deal 1t
was just chance that pat ne into the
show business"
Brock Pemberton's background Of
experience behind his; first production
was his seven years of dramatic work
on newspapers and his three years
with Arthur HOPKINS. lie had seen
much that was good and much that
was bad and he felt he kncw what
to do and what not to do in connection
with play production. so he deter
mined to take chance and try it on
his own
Il thought once that it was ncccs-
sary to be an actor in order to direct
a stage production, but in my cXpc-
rienccs with Enter Madame found il
was not so. What is needed is :; Ger
tain amount Of ability to handle pco-
pie. Engage people OF intelligence and
let them act. If they do it correctly.
good If they don't, you suggest changes
and work it out together with them.
Yes, it's wonderful to have had my
filst effort go over so we'll. 1t gives
one courage and also capital for other
things IF the future"