New-York tribune., 1920-03-07
Cecil and Cleo Lean
Vow They Will Always
Be Together on Stage

Duke scsmpersd about tho sitting
room happily. He played "dead," he
sat up. he sneezed, he fetched his mas
ter's shoes. It was easy to see that
Duke had not worry in the world
Cecil Lean had Just finished reading
tho reviews Of "Look Who's Here" to
his wife. Cleo Msyfeld. and her mother.
They were favorable. Cecil flashed his
wonderful teeth in one Of his best
smiles; Cleo, In q voice only little
less Of drawl than it is on the stage
OF the Forty-fourth Street Theater, ex-
pressed her pleasure. Relieved of the
strain and anxiety Of first night, they
we're the picture of content in their
apartment in seventy-third Street;
Duke, clever little bulldog, knew it and
completed the picture.
Some of the reviewers said that al
though the programs stated that Cleo
Mayfeld was with Cecil Lean, it some
times appeared rather that Cecil Lean
was with Cleo Mayfeld.
"But Cleo is not like some other
women. She does not want to push
ahead too quickly. You know, she
hasn't been on the stage for very
long time and am an old hand" Cecil
Lean said.
"No, don't believe in rushing to
stardom," Mrs. Lean added in her fasci-
mating Kansas drawl; zone should creep
gradually toward the goal"
Duke, puppylike, would not stay still.
On the road he assisted Mr.. Leans
Japanese valet in the dressing room,
and will soon motor down to the the
ater here and resume his duties. Mean
while, he must have something to do.
SO ho made a dash at the heap Of
newspapers. picked one out indiscrlmi,,
papers out Of it. A few words from
Cleo, the matrimonial expert, and he
uuieted down temporarily.
| Not many seasons ago, Miss May
feld's first in New York and her debut
on the stage, Cecil Lean was starring
in "The Man With Three Wives" at
the Forty-fourth Street Theater. Cleo.
who was not yet Mrs. Lean, had a
small part in the play. Now they have
come back to the same theater; Cecil
has three wives during the evening on
the stage, and Cleo Mayfield is one OF
them. If coincidence means anything
there is opportunity for speculation
here.
A boy soprano at the age Of ten,
Cecil Lean was successfully salesman
in an art store, railway clerk. and then
school teacher before he went on the
stage in musical comedy, playing in
"The Burgomaster," touring the South
with the Boston Lyric Opera Company,
and playing with Frank Daniels in
Miss Simplicity" and other musical
! comedies. He became star in Chi
cago and played there for so long that
he was regarded as a product OF the
city Of the big wind, but Cecil denies
chat hn ryo hntv, {r tba c+ockuordc vii
lage, and declares he is much more of
a favorite here than he ever was in
the Western metropolis.
~ was born in London, Ontario, but
went to Detroit when very young. My
father, who was an Englishman, be
came president Of business college
and later l taught there"
All Of Miss Mayfeld's stage expert
ence was obtained in New York City.
She came east from Hutchinson. Kan,
WAS given a small part in 1.-THE Man
Lean, and has appeared with him ever
since.
~ don't think I'd know how to act
without him." the tall, wistful-eyed
comedienne said.
"our styles blend 90 we'll that we
Will never separate on the stage excep.
In case Of illness. am fast worker
ana MlSS MayUeIo Is SLOW WORKER
and the contrast seems to make a per-
works and write much Of the STUFF
for her." the lively Cecil said, his per-
feet teeth again visible in broad
smile.
Before "Loob Who's Here" Cecil
Lean appeared in New York in "The
Soul Kiss" with Adeline Genee, his hrst
here; "Bright Eyes," "The Man With
Three Wives" "The Blue Paradise
and miss 1917" Cleo Mayfield was
with him In the last three.