New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-11
Wbe G6olutiom of a 5tar
Grne8t Truer

Although the success achieved bv
Ernest Truck In "Six Cylinder Love-
at the Sam II. Harris Theater is toe
recent to be properly classed as his
tory, this diminutive comedian. lust
turning thirty, has come into his own
on Broadway as the climax Of enough
years of experience to put him among
the veterans of the stage.
The Oldest inhabitant Of Kansas CITY
can and does point with pride ia
"Ernie's" record. For not ONLY was
Mr.. Truck born in Kansas City, blu,
it was there that he made what might
be termed his first appearance as q
professional player. This occurred
when he had reached the ripe old age
OF seven years. but even before this
professional debut he had rolled up a
two-year record as a prodigy of the
Middle West lamp and wick recital cir
cult
When Truck was three years of age
his parents moved to Rich Hill, Mo-,
mining town, where his father had
been appointed by the local coal OPP
orators as physician to the miners in
their employ. simultaneously with
this migration of the family travel
ing repertoire company stranded in
Rich Hill, and the star of the organ
ization, Edwin Melvin, who had played
with Booth and Barrett, fell ILL., The
other members of the company scat
tered in various directions, leaving
their star to shift for himself. With
out funds, alone and friendlcss, he ap-
realed to DR.. Truck for treatment and
this, willingly given, established a
friendship between the actor and the
physicians family that was to be IN,
strumental in setting Ernest Trucks
feet on the path to histrionic fame.
Youngest ard Smallest
Hamlet on Any Stage
When Melvin recovered no elected ia
remain in Rich Hill and open a school
Of elocution, and, out Of gratitude 70,
the kindness Of the boys father and
because the actor dlscerned talent in
the youngster, he undertook the task
of teaching him the elements Of act.
ing. But Melvin's sole experience had
been in classic roles, and so Ernest
just entering his fourth year, fell tc
mastering the speeches Of William
Shakespeare.
The first public appearance of the
youthful student was at recital given
by the old actors pupils, and Erne st
programmed as the youngest and
smallest Hamlet on any STAGE" ap
peared in the ghost scene, with his in
structor towering above him in the role
of the Spectre.
At the end Of two years studies
Ernest's mother took him to Kansa.
City, and there an alliance was formed
with Helen Fairlamb, another chile
phenomenon of elocution. For more
than year the two prodigies toured
Missouri, Kansas and Illinois, appear
ing in a repertoire that included
scenes from "Romeo and juliet" lingo
mar" and Grip Van Winkle." Then {
second return to Kansas City brough
young Truck to the attention of O. D
Woodward, manager of a local stocl
company. Woodward was putting OF
stage version of "Quo vadis ?" ane
Ernest, learning that the role of littl.
Aulus had not been filled, applied TO,
an engagement
"Do you think you could play tn,
part" asked the stock company man
ager.
Certainly! I've played Hamlet,
was Ernest's response.
Woodward laughed, but the boy 20,
the part. He stayed with the organ
ization for two years, and became sucl
fsvorite that special productions Of
Little Lord Fauntleroy" and 9TH,
Prince and the Pauper" were made il
order that he might be featured.
Moving to Denver, young Ernest
now full-fedged professional, becam,
member of the Walter Clarke Bel
loves stock company at Bitches Gar