The Washington herald., 1920-11-03
HITCHCOCK HAS
BIG FOLLOWING.
Popularity Laid to Unique
Methods in Presenting
Comedies.
By o. o. MCINTYRE.

NEW YORK, Nov. Raymond
gay island as a theatrical institu-
tion. \ rumor trickles from the
Rialto that a theater is shortly to
be built and named for the comedian
and here he will cavert from one
season to the other. For several
seasons he has been presenting a
light, frothy musical melange. but
it is Hitchcock they go to see.
His easy familiarity of appearing
before the curtain and greeting the
audience as it arrives, calling them
by name, Introducing one to the
other, explaining the plot of the
show and even leaving the stage to
shake hands with some notable or
other constitutes an evenings en-
tertainment in itself.
The men-about-town and women
too who crave public attention dote
on this sort of thing. II means
much to their warped standards to
be recognized in a public place. 1t
is said that one man, aching for
publicity, sent an emissary to
Hitchcock with note describing
himself and a check for 5000 to call
him by name as he entered.
The actor waited until he arrived
and silently presented him with an
envelope bordered in black. Inside,
without comment, was the 5000
check. Hitchcock, like Fred Stone,
Is a super-clown sans the acrobatics.
He does not hesitate to interrupt
the performance at any point
Hence in the middle of the second
act he suddenly appears, holds up
his hand as though he has some
thing of vast Importance, something
that cannot wait, to tell the au-
dience. The show stops. Hitchcock.
telegram in hand, announces: Z
have the honor to report that Phila-
delpEia has just completed its quota
for the Third Liberty loan"
Some nights patrons find him SELL
ing tickets in the box office. Other
nights he is acting as head usher
and upon one occasion after the
show he was outside in uniform
solemnly performing the duties Of
the carriage starter.
There is a hoity-toity attitude de-
velcpinG among the hotels and res
taurants regarding the govern
ment's investigation of their food
Irices. They have appointed
spokesman and refuse to see the in
vestigators. Those who call are re-
ferred to their spokesman, who is
in turn surrounded by lawyers. It
is plain that food prices are not to
be lowered without a struggle. Per-
haps a little solitude in a cell might
soften their hearts toward the gov-
ernment so they would at least an
swer questions of investigators.
On upper Broadway there is
little cigar and stationery shop
where husbands OF the neighbor-
hood drop in of evenings to smoke
and chat There is a large chair
that is always empty. But it sits
in the circle. 1t is all proof that
sentiment may be found in unusual
places. The chair was a favorite
resting place Of John Bunny. the
late film comedian. who loafed
there when he was in town. The
neighborhood loved him. Across the
street is a theateF named for him.
For eighteen years he has lived in
Bowery lodging house. He came
and left daily at certain hours. And
as was the custom paid for his
lodging mighty. Two weeks ago
he disappeared. when he returned
he came to say Sood-by. He was
going to the south of France to
loaf the rest of his life. lie had by
frugality saved $40 week out of
salary of $40. And on the way to
the pier he was robbed of it all.
save his second class ticket. Now
he is back as lodGer. going and
coming with the same regularity.