New-York tribune., 1920-11-14
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When Frances Starr was a school
girl in Albany her favorte study was
not in the curriculum. Nor was it even
known to her teachers. But she kept
at it just the same and pursued it first
hand every time she could get away
and attend the theater, for this de-
lighted her more than anything else in
or cut Of the class books. Her decision
to devote herself to it came after see
ing a performance Of Mrs. Leslie Carter
in a revival of "Zaza."
She made her first appearance on the
stage in 1900 as Lucy Uorrison in Rob
ertsons Home" During the next few
seasons she gained experience in vari-
Gus companies, appearing in association
with Charles Richman in "Gallops."
Writing about Miss Starr David Be!asco
gives this account of his belief in her:
When first saw her play watched
her performance with the closest at
tention Her entrance was greeted by
spontaneous outburst of applause.
She was almost a child then, a sweet
faced girl, delicately formed, with a
beautiful forehead ard tine intelligent
eyes. WAS most favorably impressed
BY her performance, but at the time |
ad no part for her
"Hcr opportunity came in the second
eason of The Music Master Miss
Minnie Duprce was to leave the COM
amy before the close of the season and
/ needed some one to take her place
remembered Miss Starr and with my
irend and stage manager. William
Dean, | went to the Garrick to see her
in 'Gallops.'
"In that play the hero staked his all
on a horse race, and The future happi-
ness of the young lovers hung in the
balance as the race took place. The
heroine and coaching party were near
the track, and Miss Starr stood on the
steps of the coach facing the audience
As the race was being described Miss
STAIRS facial expression was so re
narkable that she held the audience
or several minutes
The various expressions of hope, de
pair and JOY came and went accord
lng to the movements Of the horses
the tumult of applause was tribute
not to the play nor to the scene, but to
the perfection Of Miss Starrs art. And
as nm exhibition Of pantomime | have
seen nothing to surpass it.
II gave instructions to Mr. Dean to
send for her to ask her to sign q con-
tract as soon as possible
The appointment was made for
1880 in the morning. When arrived
at Mr.. Dean came to me smiling
broadly. Miss Starr is in my Office
he said; she has been waiting since 4
o'clock. | found her even more at
tractive than | had Imagined, Her
hair was soft and light, her eyes deep
blue, varying into gray, and the chang
'ng expressions of her earnest face
Wero delightful.
She was pale and fearful. 1T has
always been my wish to work for you,
she said. | learned that her manager
at the Garrick Theatcr intended to star
her in play. but she expressed a
willingness to come with me if only
in bit five lines long. | offered her
the leading part of Helen in The Music
Master and she was delighted
told her to go to Mr. Dean and make
what salary | gct,' she exclaimed. The
only agreement I want is that YOU
don't change your mind I insisted,
however, that contract be signed,
and when Mr.. Dean made it out she
wanted to put her name to it at once,
but advised her to take it home and
read it over. She took it away with
her, but afterward she confessed that
she had stopped in a telegraph office
on the way to her hotel and signed it,"
The flrst play in which Mr.. Belasco
presented Miss Starr, heading her own
company less than six months after
he had seen her in "Gallops," was
The Rose of the Rancho" in 1907. 1t
was first acted at the Majestic Theater,
boston, and was brought out in New
York at the Belasco Theater. Mr..
belasco, who knows his southern Cal
lfornia so we'll, made the stage a de-
ilghtful garden as setting for the
charm OF the new star. The plot mad
TO 40 with the tragedy that underlies
Cailfornia hlstory-the taking of the