New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-11
Out of Russia Into
Hectic Adventures
OF "Blue Lagoon

Harold French, the young actor who
was brought to this country by the
Shuberts to play the leading masculine
role In "The Blue Lagoon" the drama
tization Of H. Dc We're Stacpoole's
novel of the same name, has had
particularly solid foundation for his
theatrical career. He was a member
for several seasons of those celebrated
repertoire companies that fourished IN
Birmingham, Manchester and Liver
pool under such directors as John
Drinkwater, Miss Horniman and Basil
Dean In productions of the classics
and the best of tho modern plays he
gained an experience that has been of
inestimable value.
II was with John Drinkwater's or
| ganization at Birmingham for a sea-
son." he said, playing in such dramas
as Rostand's fantasies and in the
directors own remarkably powerful
one-act play, X Equals Nothing Mr..
Drinkwater is great teacher as we'll
as great thinker, and I take enor-
nous pride in having been associated
with him."
Mr.. French entered Miss Horniman's
famous company at Manchester, ap-
peartng in plays by the late Stanley
Houghton, Granville Barker, W. B.
Yeats and others. After season with
this organization he Joined Basil Dean,
who was producing Shakespeare and
the principal modern Continental
dramas at Liverpool. He played in
many productions, including "Han-
nele," and then, his services being in
demand, Joined the Haymarket Thea
ter company in London, which was
presenting Jupiter Rex" and other
classics, UNDER the direction of E.
Lyall Swete.
II made my first appearance on the
stage at the age of fourteen in Gran
ville Barker's production of "A Winters
Tale continuing at the same time my
preparation, arranged by my father,
for tho navy. The lure of the theater
proved too potent, however, and l soon
los. interest in naval career. Never
theless, l had to satisfy my fathers
wishes in regard to the preparation,
and continued to study at Edgehill
College in London. Eventually he gave
his consent for stage career, and
after appearing for four years in
Where the Rainbow Ends children's
play, given annually at Christmas
time, I Joined Basil Sydney in a COM
pany touring the provinces. Next
came my repertoire engagements and
the season at the Haymarket.
when the war broke out enlisted
In the Royal Flying Corps and served
three and half years at the front.
After the armistfce I had a remark.
able adventure in Russia as men,
Der Of an enterprise to make propa-
ganda films, under the auspices of the
British government. This experience
lasted six months, when Lenine,
Trptzky and company decided that
anti-Bolshevik propaganda could be
| dispensed with on their soil. We then
went to Lithuania, where we remained
to complete the pictures, which, in
cldentally, were distributed throuph-
out Europe
Returning to London, Mr.. French
was engaged by Robert Lorraine FOR
an elaborate revival of "Cyrano de
Bergerac." This was followed b,
summertime" by Louis N. Parker.
and "The Wonderful Visit" nlav
which. though unsuccessful, had tho
UNIQUE collaboration Of H. G. Wells
and st. John Ervine. Then came "The
Blue Lagoon" in which he won not
able success.