The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-10-03
Fame on Stage by DUN Efforts
: LsLife Dream of John y. 5 Baby
Mural Mccormick, ~, Grand
daughter of Oil King, Says
She Lives Only for Her
Career to Make
Reputation in Europe Before
Essaying Debut Here.

NEW YORK, Oct. Miss Muriel
Mccormick, placed by wealth on the
top of the worlds social pinnacle, to-
day told of her LIES innermost dream
excellence in the art of the stage.
And whatever ] achieve in this
ambition of mine must be done by my
very own self, not by the daughter OF
Harold F. Mccormick and not by the
granddaughter of John d. Rookie
Teller"
As this was said, early in the inter
view. Miss Mccormick sat brislkly for
ward on the big lounge in her mothers
apartment at the Hotel Plaza, from
which she could look out on a rain
blown corner of Central Park. She is
nineteen years old, but mental and
spiritual earnestness has lent her an
odd maturity.
Her Garb Simple.
She had come suddenly into the
room, gray from a heavy sky. a mo-
ment before. She wore a black dress.
rather plain, with long straight lines.
Its only adornment was a small circle
embroidered in white below the neck
line at the left. In II appeared to be
woven a key that would not reveal its
meaning. except to the merest few.
Though one usually has some clear
and definite idea about what most
women are wearing, 1t required a con.
scious purpose to observe and remem.
Der the details of this unusual girls
dress.
would look; slightly oval, with q stern
delicacy: a little whimsical play about
the corners Of the well.shaped mouth,
warmth and understanding in the
brown eyes; a dash Of freckles on the
forehead and cheeks that seemed to
find no apology for themselves neces-
sary.
The brown hair was brushed ne.
curely back from her forehead and
held tightly at the back, as II its
mistress meant to be firm with 1t.
Stage Her Every Life"
"Of your career" she was asked at
length. She answered swiftly, as
though she were stirred:
THAT is my very life. 1t seems
to be everything. almost. that live
for. And It has always been so. ]
cannot remember the time when l
was too young to dream Of II. can
not go back so far as to find q time
the dream and hope OF a career on
the stage did not thrill me, and mean
everything to me.
And it seems l have always been
studying for 1t, too.
From the age OF two the greatest
punishment that could be melted out
to me was the denial OF the theater.
I've almost lived before, and behind,
the footlights.
No, have never appeared before
the public. I had planned to make
my debut in the drama last year in
the Burgtheater. That is az famous
IN Vienna as the Coincide Franchise
Is in Paris.
But the newspapers published about
TWO lines on my work and my study,
and almost a whole pa &c on who my
parents were and who my grandfather
was. / was Disguised. I determined
tnat should never appear on the stage
il | could only be 'sent.off' by my
family.
will go into opera or drama? That
will depend upon my voice. I hone II
will be opera. But must one not have
voice training for the speaking stage
and dramatic training for the singing
stage?
Whatever Is to be my destiny I shall
know in year. / shall embark. II Il
IL the drama, my debut will be in Der.
I'm. because I am best in the German
language. II II is the opera, Europe
or South America. That will depend.
Not to Start Here.
oh. no: 1 should never attempt a
Debut in America. II is my country,
and 1 should like to have my career
here. But an artist must come TO
America with a name already made
II began here / should have to take
= very small role, or be given q lead.
ing role on the strength Of my family
rame. I shouldn't want 20 do either.
II know already that have learned
IS much about dramatic art as I can
learn from theory and teaching. For
the rest, must learn from experience.
made my diploma last year with
Maria Moissi. She is a Viennese, the
wife and teacher Of the greatest Wen.
nese actor, Alexander Moissi, successor