davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Work Is the Passport
To Success in Acting
AS Elsewhere, Saws Ross

Who're Is Chicago? Geographical
ly it may be located definitely enough,
but its place in the mind of New York
theatergoers (mainly recruited from
Rochester and Providence and way sta
tions north and south) is a peculiar
one. There is Thomas W. Ross, for in
stance. In 1903 he came to New York
after ten years spent in a stock COM
pany in Pittsburgh, and in the title
role of "Checkers" became overnight
one Of the most popular Of American
actors.
To-day probably only members of
his profession and playgoers west Of
the Mississippi could tell what has
become of the actor who created the
role of Checkers, because of the fact
that Mr.. Ross has played in Chicago
years since his big New York success.
So far as the general New York public
Is concerned, he might as we'll have
been playing In Kamchatka or the
Solomon Islands. He has been rn-
fortunate In the few plays that have
brought him to Broadway in the years
between 1903 and 1920; and he has
been fortunate in the main in the
plays which have kept him In Chicago.
From his experience in the two cities
Mr.. Ross has come to consider Chicago
auolenceS more loyal than New York
audiences.
"In II Nex York" ,,' he said in support
in new play II It's failure they
generally forget Frank. In Chicago
they may find Franks new play as poor
as the New York audiences did, but
they come back more often to see
Frank In another play. They are more
loyal than here in New York, possibly
because New York audiences change
entirely from year to year. while out
there you have more people who come
back year after year"
Mr. Ross has just begun work for
Metro In screen version Of one Of
the famous Drury Lane melodramas.
playing the part Of "heavy" villain.
He has appeared for the screen a few
times before, but it was in the bad
old days of the motion picture indus
try. so that he counts this picture his
real beginning in screen work. He is,
comedian though he is, glad of the
opportunity In the villains role, be-
cause OF his theory, applicable on stage
or in studio, that the good actor is
the one who Is not limited to the in
terpretation of a type. This theory
probably owes its origin to the ten
years that DIR. Ross spent in stock in
Pittsburgh, when he played "all the
roles that there are," while he was
waiting and preparing for his oppor-
tunity. He believes the stock com
pany that was the school of the
actor Of another generation must as
we'll be the school for the actors of
this day because it Is as true now as
ever that work and practice are tho
only passports to success.
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Amateur Spirit an Asset
To the Sincere Player,
Say MIR. and Mrs. Coburn

Hr. and Mrs. Coburn are actors and
producers, but 1t Is doubtful if when
tho time for the accounting of profits
comes there Is q division of the sur
plus as there Is between ordinary part
ners In business enterprise. In other
words. Mr.. and Mrs. Coburn work to-
gether with only a broad. general di-
vision Of the tasks contingent upon the
preparation and carrying out Of pro-
duction: If q play comes into the
Office either Mr.. Coburn or Mrs. Co.
burn reads it-whichever happens to
receive 1t. Sometimes they read them
together or to one another. They have
learned from their experience in pro-
ducing outside of New York how to do
these things.
"You don't get your experience here
IN New York first" Mr.. Coburn said,
"you get it here last"
Outside of New York, besides other
productions, they have revived sixteen
OF Shakespeare plays and have played
together 400 times in Macbeth" Next
season they are to appear in their own
production of the tragedy here. They,
60 the chance to Go things, they say,
BY taking the responsibility upon them
selves and by playing on the road.
'"lf you want the chance to do things
you must take the responsibility your
self. You must love your work so
60 through in order to do it," said Mrs.
Coburn, and Mr.. Coburn nodded his
head approvingly.
In . broad way, Mrs. Coburn occupies
herself with the artistic side of the
business, while Mr.. Coburn looks after
the business end Of things. In many
Of their production, and now in their
"S Showers" which moves tomorrow
to tho Plymouth Theater from the
Harris, there have been many young
women in the casts.
said Mrs. Coburn, but rather the en-
semble. We like to choose girls with
. background of refinement, with
schooling, and with ability to speak,
and give them every opportunity to
do so. Everything is done to make
them happy, and they are given cos
tunes to wear in which they look their
best. / never dress two girls alike in
the ensemble. In real life you scarcely
ever see two people dressed alike.
That's what we are doing constantly
in real life for our work in the
theater."
All the ability a girl possesses is
utilized by Mrs. Coburn. She does not |
adopt the material attitude in her
dealings with the girls, but attempts to
understand them.
"And think l do understand them.
We have had many girls in our pro-
ductions, for we have never had a
small cast play. Sometimes l wish we
had"
Intentionally, both Mr.. and Mrs.
Coburn try to get away from the
theatrical in their work on the stage,
and some times they are called ANA
teurs for doing so. Both Of them know
the value of dramatic technic, but they
strive to get away from the hackneyed |
and seek fresh things.
Actors run the risk Of becoming
'shoppy' if they are not careful" Mr..
Coburn said. "Some of them forget
to associate with other people in their
own profession and become unable to
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Castanets Represent
The Male and Female
ut the Species, Saws She

w hen you listen to the entrancinr
c!lcK OF the castanets in the hands of a
dark-eyed Spanish senorita as she
dances, do you notice that one seems
to have the low pitched note of a mans
voice and the other the soprano tones Of
woman Actually the castanets used
Wy spanish dancers are so designated
one the man. the other "the woman"
or the bass" and "the sopranoo
So says Isabelle Rodriguez' Of Far.
celona, whose Spanish dance in the first
act OF "Florodora" at the Century The
ater IS one Of the most attractive
speclaltles of the Shuberts' revival.
.s,,,, see that string?" she said recently.
mat Is how | tell them apart when I
w'sh TO change them from one hand to
the other quickly. That little red string
IS on the handle of the man. the bass
II IN the dance the male is to predomi-
nate-to dominate as men love to do
! use the bass castanet in my right
haho' but II the woman Is to be su-
preme-as she generally isl use the
soprano castanet in the right hand"
Mile. Rodriguez made her debut n
her native barcelona at the age Of
flve. Her mother was an opera singer.
Conception Guve. while her father,
LUIS Rodriguez, was an operatic tenor
OF Barcelona. Both appeared in the
form Of light opera which Spain has
developed the zarzuela. 1t was while
her mother was singing the soprano
role IN the zarzuela Maria del Car
men" that Isabelle made her first ap-
pearance on the stage AS her mother
sang she danced upon the stage in
immature version of the standard
Spanish dance
IN Paris later, while attending ballet
schools. she appeared at rOpera
Comique, at the Treatre National de
pOdeon, at the Grand Opera and IN
the Theatre Femina. The Shuberts en-
gagged her for Robinson Crusoe Jr."
at the Winter Garden in 1914, and she
has danced in subsequent Passing
Shows
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Ada Lewis Tells Peri1s
Of a Cruise ON Dry Land
I'm Her Gasoline Boat

Ada Lewis, who is just now one of
the most amusing of the many pas
sengers on "The Night Boat" at the
Liberty Theater, stepped from the
deck OF the famous Graf. to her dross-
ing room and led the Triune reporter
into a discussion of travel by land.
In spite OF a professional attachment
to sesgoing life just at present off
stage she prefers to talk of automo-
blles. That there is just as great a
source of humor in cars as in ALBANY
boats seemed to be established by a
few chapters from her experience with
the former.
"of course" she said, "the first car
that I bought was Ford. saw ons
IN IN window, and no other car but the
one IN the window would satisfy me-
Some little time after / had bought
1T was In Washington and with the
spirit Of conscientious sightsee-
TOOK my sister out to see the Wash
lngton Monument. When we came to
the monument 1t occurred to mo that
1T would be shame to have the bow
who was driving the car miss this op
portunity.
"As little later" continued Miss
Lewis, Lew ~ bought larger car. AT the
was living in Hollis, out on Long
Island. Late one nj ght, when the
pavements were covered with q light
sleet' we came driving down town, and
at crossing we sk!dded INTO q taxi
that was rushing to hospital with q
man about seventy years Old who was
thought to have about half an hour
to live. When we skidded into the
taxi we took one wheel off neatly.
The four men who had tenderly car
RED the old man into the taxi at his
mouse jumped out to look at the dam
age, and when they looked back in
the taxi to find their dying charge
they found him standing behind them
inspecting the wreck with an inquisl-
tive gaze. The incident impressed me
most of all as proof of the power of
curiosity
THAT one night lived the life of
heroine Of motion picture serial.
After the crash l climbed into a taxi.
and after few blocks it began to
spin round and round on the sleet tho
While | screamed madly. The driver
assured me that he was doing his best,
and begged him, by all that he held
sacred, not to do his worst. After he
had got Strengthened out, two mystcri-
Gus women appealed to me to take
the opposite direction to mine. But
was not in n particularly sympathetic
mood by that time, and 1 passed up
that particular portion Of my adven-
lures. That is the kind of an evening
you find only in the motion picture
scrlal--or in life"
The latest incident Of Miss Iew;s,s
adventures with cars took place neaY
her home in Hollis. In spite of an nd.
mittedly superior ignorance Of all tho
vital machinery Of cars she decided
one day, that she would drive her own
car, and near a little station sho tried
to get the machine undor contro, H.
purred and ratified and banged and
coughed, but showed no eyidence ~ NO.
ing willing to 90 ahead. In few
moments tho station agent came run.
ning out very much excited. Hc
stopped as he saw Miss Lcwis hard ot
work and became calmer.
"oh. 't's you. Is It." he said. n
y tttnoughs some one was trying to steal
shs trunks out Of the baggags roouaT
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25

Plays from one language to anotA..
MISS Brooks is Of the opinion that ~
following Il, qualifications are necess.r.. -.
Thorough knowledge Of the hIsy; or;~;ry.;;
language of the play. an eoualiv thas
ough knowledge of the language int
wh!ch the. play is to be translst.S
wnlch should also be the mother tonsr.
o. OF the translator, and knowledoe -
the theater. 0'se Ok
;, Most of the translators hers -,
flil some OF these qualifications. hut
very lew can fill them all. In order !"
reproduce exactly in English for Amer.
originally in French it is necess.r', ..'sn
understand thoroughly the Frs,sr 70
language and the French peon,. '"sn "a
understand thoroughly the Enc,;sS
language and the American peonle and
to have an inside knowledya of su tI
theater. Word for word tran.la+,eas
give no idea of the spirit. the :hS1
ings, the real meaning that the .ntho-
intended. Then, adaptations of Frsnch
pays Dy Americans who do not kno-
france, or the French people and hav.
little or no knowledge of dramstio
1echnique are almost hopeless. In
rrencn they say, Bonnet blanc est
.o oiahc bonnet, which in English means,
PIX 81 OF one and half dozen Of the other
translated literally it is Hat whits !.
white hat seemingly meaninoIs.s 70
phrase. The French language is mi,
OF ldloms and especially in modern
plays it is necessary to know an
language and to be able to find ~
exact words in English for real tram
lation" 'i""s-
Although Miss Brooks is busilv an.
gagged translating and adapting plays
from the French to English. she wonIj
not consent, she says, to translate ana
adapt plays from English to French '-
The language into which one 4.
translatlng should be ones mother
tongue. Although I know French ney-
1ectly, realize that / am not French
and that is why l do not think nv
translation and adaptation of English
plays INTO French would be successf,,I
1T would be much more difficult for me-
70 70 hnd the exact equivalents in
trench OF many English idioms than il
IS for me to find the equivalents ~
French idioms in English" -
Last year Miss Brooks went abroad
70 consult with M: Donnay regarding
ing and translating. Although she had
seen him twice before. at a sunct;on
whlle she was at school and at Nina
Gullbert's home, this was the first time
she had spoken to the author.
1T IS really an extraordinary coin
cidence. Both times when l saw Mau-
rice Donnay I desired verv much -
speak with him, but l was too much
scared. When he received letter tell
ing him that was going abroad to {.
consult him about a play he did not
recognize my name, but he recognized
me when he met me. Now the second
play, The Man Hunt which | am
adapting, has an excellent part in it for
me- If any one had told me about tan
years ago when, as a girl of fifteen. I
met him at a school luncheon, that /
was to translate and act in one of bis
pays, gays l should have fallen over" Miss
brooks rocks said, laughingly.
MISS brookss translations of Mau-
rice Donnay's plays are the first thst
nave been done in English.
:, he has promised me that he Will
allow no one else to translate his plsvs
into English she said. p'-''
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Mr.. and Mrs. Coblrn
Many Seek Overture Prize

Seventy-sevcn compositions have
been received in the competition for the
$500 prize offered by Hugo Riesenfeld,
director of the Rivoli, Rialto and Cri-
tcrion theaters, for the best overture
suitable for presentation at these
houses. In addition to the cash reward
Mr. Riesenfcld promises a presentation
by Mt least ono Of his orchcstras and
free publication. with all royalties to go
to the composer. 1t has been estimated
that 1t VII take Mt least two months
to judge the compositions and choose
the winner,
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25


CAPITOI-Alice Brady In "sinncrs I.
"A Dogs Life" Chaplain revival
the first act OF Wagncr's "Lohengrin. .
sung In English topical and musical
features
RIVOLI-Ircne Castle in "The Ametenr
Wife," "What Could Be Swaetcr"
BROADWAY--Vctor scastrom in "A
Man There Was" Down On the
Farm, a comedy, topical and musical
features.
sIRAND--Constance Talmadgc In "Thc
Love Expert" Ernest Truck in "stick
around" comedy, topical and must
cal features.
RiALTOyHoudinl. In "Tcrror rsland",
',Jhs Great Nickel Robbery" sun
shlnc comedyj topical and musical
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Jane Cowl the Medium
OF an Interview With
Author of Her Plav

When "Smilin' Through" in which
Jane Cowl is appearing at the Broad
hurst Theater, was in rehearsal tho
plot of the play and the identity Of
the author were guarded vlgilantly,
Thtat the author is Canadian and
play was admitted by the producers
but beyond that-nothing. He was
not present at the opening of the play
but recently Allan Langdon Martin, for
that is his name, came to the city
and returned to Ottawa before he
could be seen. So through Miss Cowl
he has been interviewed by proxy.
"Allan Langdon Martin is nom de
plume" she admitted. "That accounts
for my, hesitancy in answering ques-
tions about him. If he does not want
his identity known l am bound to re-
spect his wishes in the matter. To
guard this and protect his idea in
writing 'Smilin' Through until the
play should be presented were the two
things responsible for al the secrecy
during rehearsals.
~ can, however, tell you something
about Mr.. Martin and the splendid
without any breach Of faith, Miss
Cowl decided.
have known OF him for some time,
and he has always believed 1t possible
to dispel the human fear Of death
through better concept on the part
Of mankind Of immortality. Mr. Mar
tin is. however. a practical. everyday
business man-the sort of chap the
world would hardly suspect of such
ideals AZ those with which 'Smilin'
Through Is saturated. From the
standpoint OF his business life he has,
therefore, not wanted his identity
kncwn in connection with the play.
Ih1o was not done merely to protect
MS business interests. but because he
1s!s that his message would be more
encctive under nom de plume.
MI. Martin was in active service
during the late war. He saw hundreds
ot bis comrades go vest He stud
aed the manner of their going when
ssver he had an opportunity to do SO
because OF his deep interest in this
transition which we cali death. And
sne more he saw the more convinced
ns became that nothing happens to
thc:s who make that transition. He
so,d me once last fall, while was
Ienearsing' 'Smilin' Through that
tScs 1919 only in the thought Of
snose who look on and never to the
n' supposed to be experiencing it,"
NJ! ~. 'nIs idea across was his pur-
rt"ndaa writing the play. He never
ssnda. but he does believe that Ssea ~
ana hate blur our vision and cramn
our possibilities. And there ia no
xssF 80 great as the fear of death
~ ~ vas what no had seen people SUI.
1er because Of their terror Of what
must IN reality surely be only a transi-
tsen from one phase of consciousness
ehosher that led Mr.. Martin TO
We Smii'n' Through" In the end.
when hate ig conouercd ~ -.
hsart Of John Carteret the vail wh,oh
ess separated him from his beloved
3oT 90 long period is lifted and he
learns that his Moonyeen has zone no.
whore at all; that the things which
hsvs blinded him to her presence are
stinaey." ""N ''-
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Carey Wants Logical Stories

Harry Carey, star of many Universal
photo dramas and one of the pioneers
IN the silent drama, has played COW
boy roles since the days when a long
cross country chase was enough to win
success for a picture Forced Dv his
own success to play this type" part
IN the future, Carey wants stories
WIN more OF the human clements in
them-plausble, logical stories to ,
meet the more critical standards of
the motion picture aud ,ences of to-day.
The day has passed." the star de-
clared. when you can make an uadi-
ence believe that one man with n six
shooter can hold back 100 men until
he escapes through window"
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Revival of Gilbert Comedy
EsS 6ss:ass as

"Pygmalion and Galatea," W. s.
Gilberts comedy, will be revived for
two matinee performances only by the
Actors Fidelity League for the bene-
ut of the Vacation Association, at the
knickerbocker Theater on next Tues
DAY and Friday afternoons, with Fay
BANTER in the role of Galatea. To
complete the program George M.
Cohan and William Collier will appear
IN one of their specalties, and
blanche Bates, Holbrook Binn and
Jose Ruben will appear In Facts" q
new one-act play.
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
At Outlying Theaters

oaUBERT-RIvIERA 49, Mammals Az.
1sir." the Harvard prize play. by
Rachel Barton Butler. will be tho at.
traction.
BTANDARD-Emmett Moore's 1reIand
. Nation" and Larry Reilly and bia
Irish players will be seen here.
COtU3fBA--Barnsy Gsrard's "Follies
u so4 Dsy" will b. tho attraction.
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Screen Popular i'm Japan

TWO ten million dollar motion pic
ture producing corporations have
recently been formed in Japan and
hundreds OF motion picture theators
are being erected there, according to
NJ; nr; lwaho Iauchiya, physician to the
nous PlayerssLaskky studio in Holly-
vood. Calf. away
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
IvO Dawson Back to America

lvo Dawson, we'll known on both the
English and American stage, has re-
turned to this country after five years
IN tho British army. Dawson enlisted
as private In the infantry, and was
dlscc,harged aa captain In the fold
artillery. He has recently completed
Is. a. Rolfe production.
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
"Apple Blossoms'' Longest RIM

apple Blossoms" tho Krcislcr-
Jncobi-Le Baron opercttn. which cloecs
at tho Globe next Saturday to make
way for THE Girl from Home" Charles
plllln9ham,a latest musical production.
ssason's musical offerings. ''
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25

speak of anything except the show
business"
Talking about their search for fresh
things In the theater, Mrs. Coburn
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25
Joseph Brooks's Talented !
Daugg hter Is to- Translate u
Donnay Plays for America

When Virginia Fox Brooks }o4nr
the cast Of "Sinbad," the Winter Gar
den production in which Al Jolson
played for so many months, those who
knew her intimately looked on in
New-York tribune., 1920-04-25

Dancer to Appear for Screen
Bessie Mccoy Davis, the actress
widow of Richard Harding Davis, will
star IN series Of motion pictures to
be made for William Fox.
The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1920-09-30
PRODUCE REVIEW

Poultry prices are lower, due to
increasing supplies and lighter de-
mand. Prices, however, are higher
than the corresponding week a yeaI
ago.
Poultry packing plants are now
generally so fixed that they have
sufficient help to take care of a lib
eral volume of poultry. Even mar
keting is suggested, in order to pre-
vent glut a few weeks hence,
which would have tendency fur
ther to reduce prices.
Butter consumption is reported
generally to be larger and market
and crop conditions justify strong
effort being made to maintain fall
and winter production.
Nearly 100000 pounds of butter
arrived during the week from South
America, selling at some discount
The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1920-09-30
oLDTIME MINsTRELsY

Those who enjoy the oldtime
minstrel show, the sort that grand
father used to take grandmother to
in courtin' days, as well as the rag
gy jazzy dancy brand Of modern
melody and fun will enjoy J. A. Co
burns Minstrels at the Tabb Fri
day, October /. The Louisville
Courier-Journal says. "Coburn's
Minstrels opened weeks engage
ment yesterday afternoon. Incl
dentally its the best attraction the
Jefferson has housed this season,
and deserves the cordial greetings
of amusement seekers. They are
recommended to all those who love
good minstrel show" And who
does not love a good minstrel
showf With bright costumes,
splendid singing, jokes, fun, dane
ing. From the oldtime darkey of
The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1920-09-30
MS swEErnEART some

The mocking bird is singing in the
blossoms and the dew
A song about the sweetheart that
thinks the most Of you;
The sky is bright and cloudless when
he sees her eyes of blue
Thnt's why he is singing of his
sweetest.
The red rose is loyal, the white rose
is meek,
And both of them are looking like
their loving lips would speak.
We know they would be kissing the
dimples on your cheek
That's why they are looking their
sweetest.
Sing. sweetest mocking bird. Sing
about her eyes;
With dreams that make the morn
ing on the hills of paradise
Tell her there are lovers bps to
kiss her sighs-
Sing in the blossoms - sing your
sweetestl
The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1920-09-30
First World Series
Game October 5th

The American League won the
toss at the meeting of the National
Commission and the first world Sc
ries game will be played October 5
in the American League city winning
the pennant.
The first three games will be
played in the same city, October s, 6
and z. On October the teams will
travel and on the ninth will open a
four game series in the National
League city. On October 13 they will
travel again, to play in the American
League city on October IA. IL a
ninth game is necessary it viii bc
played in the National League city
October 16.
The National Commission also
decided that if the American League
race results in a tie between Chi
eago and Cleveland a three-game
series will be necessary to decide the
winner. In that event the first game
will be played in Cleveland, the Sec
ond in Chicago and the third on neu-
tral ground.
The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1920-09-30

the cotton patch to the Beau Brum-
nell Of soft shoe terpsichere, min
strelsy distinctly American, stands
in a class by itself among thsatri-
cal attractions. Joe Coburn and his
company are among the oldest en-
tour, they are a household word.
With everything new every season,
with clean bill Of comedy and
fun, with a record of keeping faith
with its patrons for more than
twenty years, they are ever well
come as one Of the seasons favor
ties.