Evening journal., 1920-03-16
kent, COMEDIAN,
HAS SALARY TILT
Star of Somebody's Sweet
heart Wins Decision Be
fore Producers Tribunal
WIFE AND DAUGHTER
TRAVEL WITH ACTOR

II Ike Wilmington. II seems like
home and when / came out on the
stage tonight and the audience re-
sponded 20 me so finely. I Just felt
like pl8ying the best there was In me. II"
declared William Kent. star OF some
bOdy's Sweetheart when The Even
ing journal reviewer invaded his dress
ing room last night The scribe was
glad 10 assure Mr. Kent that Whining
ton returned his enthusiastic and
friendly sentiments.
You have a wonderful hotel The
So room ! have here couldn't be equal
ed FOR Sl2 a day IN any other hotel IN
the entire country" ne continued.
"and don't you thing Wilmington is
growing fast?'
As the reviewer spends a consider
able part OF each day climbing over
the outer dcfenses OF Wilmingions
building operations. ne agreed with a
heartlncss which must have puzzled
the tctor.
II was something Of a shock 10 have
seen the curtain go down upon an
acrobatic comedian and then 10 come
upon n quiet. cultured man OF polished
manners, In his den. and be- told II
was the same man. only Tie prcpos-
ferrous gray cap OF the FIRST act. hang
ing upon It's peg roassurcd the scribe.
Mr.. Kent, whose neatness. even fas-
tdiousnoss Of personal belongings
and surroundings would delight a New
England housewife. fastened four
pearl studs In The evening vest OF the
second act and remarked.
Did you hear the scandal about me ?"
The reporter grew eogelc-oyed. but Il
wasn't a romantic scandal, my dears.
Mr. Kent, differing from his manager.
Arthur Hammerstein, had gone on
strike, and besides being lniunctloned
from Joining another company was
summoned before a board Of theatrical
directors Charles Dillingham;, Al Woods.
Hammerstein and other mighty men Of
the theatre.
The young comedian said the differ
ence struck him funny. A few years
ago he had walled hours 10 see even
the Office boy OF one OF these men. Now
they were an waiting upon him lie
laughed as he went ln he has an IN
fectious laugh. The managers an Joined
In and he won his salary contention
Next year he VIII probably remain
under Hammersieln management. and
may have a principal part ln a While
Collier play. at present known as
Never Say Die"
but u may be Good Morning Ella
or some title caught from n chance re-
mark Of an Office boy. by the time 70 Is
N.I a..
achieve a title" commented Mr.. Kent
Before next season, though, there
VIII be a brief automobile vacation. and
this led the comedian 10 his really big
interests IN life he took out their
photographs, beautifully cOlorcd By a
Chicago friend. dark-haired. slender and
very pretty. Mrs Kent and three-year-
old, curly-haired Betty Kent His fam
fly accompany Mr. Kent wherever ne
goes. Little Miss Betty. a beautiful and
bright little mortal Is watched over by
1 devoted nurse, and goes 90 bed before
show time Mrs Kent enjoys taking o
part IN The chorus Just for fun.
Betty Is TO decide whether she VIII
'ollow In her distinguished fathers
heairical footsteps. In answer 10
luery. the star said:
Il don't know OF any previous the
.trical talent Ia my family. My father
S a strict man who Goes not especially /
pprove OF theatres Maybe / get u /
rom some ancestor two or three hun
lred years back. / always liked act
ng."
Here the violin solo making Mr. |
ient's entrance cue for the second act, /
rev to an end, and his slage-call |
ame.