New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-11

dens. Here he stayed put for five
years, associate player with such bud.
ding stage geniuses as Blanche Bates
Douglas Fairbanks, Bruce McRae, Ty.
rone Power Henrietta Crosman, Fred.
erick Perry, Harrison Hunter, Henry
Kolker and William B. Mack.
Manager Believes, transferring his
activities to Boston, took the boy with
him, and he became the child wonde,
of the Castle Square Theater stock
company, later leaving that organiza-
ton to descend upon. New York for the
purpose of making his Broadway bow
in play from the Believes pen. But
the Gerry Society interviewed, the play
was not produced and Ernest was with
out an engagement.
Bruce McRae heard Of this and was
instrumental in getting Ernest the
boys role in road company of "Alke
Sit-by-the-Fire," headed by Mary Shaw
From this Barrie piece he was gradu-
ated into George AIDE comedy, 1.-The
Land Of Dollars" in which Ezra Ken
dali was the star.
When the AIDE play ended its career
Ernest, now determined to try his
wings on Broadway, returned to New
York and was engaged for the part of
the diminutive negro jockey in Lillian
Russell's "Wildf1re." But the negro
makeup, as he puts it, caused his New
York debut to be made under q
cloud" and it is not matter of rec
ord that the critics or the public &C.
claimed him sensation.
But the dark cloud has its silver
lining, and George V. Hobart, one of
the authors Of Miss Russells play, re-
membered the dusky jockey when his
musical comedy, "Girlies," was being
cast. Hobart's interest in the boy
landed him in one of the principal
roles in that New Amsterdam Theate1
production and was rewarded by young
Truck making a genuine hit. Incident
ally, it caused Mr.. Truck to make his
/! bow as a benedick, for 1t was in the
Played Opposite Mary
Pickford for David Belasco
From "Girlies" Ernest went into
"Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm" play
ing the New England chore boy in that
comedy. This role kept him at the Re-
public Theater for six months and was
succeeded by an engagement with Ralph
FIarx in CDR DA Tuvau
His next role was that of an English
Johnny in "The June Bride" Lew
Fields musical piece that opened and
closed on the road. Returning to New
York he was summoned to David
Belasco's sanctum. A boys costume
was given him, which he was hidden
to put on. He was then ushered into
room, where he found young woman
dressed as little girl. The young
woman was Mary Pickford, and Nh
Belasco, studying them together, err.
gagged Truck for Miss Pickford's stage
vis-a-vis in "a Good Little Devil
Then luck stepped in and took hand
in his affairs. "Overnight' was done
into musical comedy, and under the
title of every Good Eddie" it gave him
chance to score in grown-up role
Since then he has not played the boy.
From Every Good Eddie" Mr.. Truck
was advanced to co-stardom with Rich
ard Bennett in "The Very Idea" Their
came "Please Get Married." to be fol
lowed by "The Bashful Hero "Nc
More Blondes" Don't Be Afraid,
Page Mr.. Cupid" "Blue Bonnet" ane
"Pitter Patter."
| Sandwiched in between the stage en-
gagements of this youthful veteran
have been numerous photoplay appear
ances opposite Mary Pickford, Shirley
Mason, Louise Huff and other of ths
younger screen stars. So. what with
one thing and another, to say nothing
of watching over the upbringing of two
sons. now aged seven and nine, Ernes'
Truck has managed to keep fairly bus,
since those days when he was known q,
| the youngest and smallest Hamlet o,
any stage"