The New York herald., 1922-08-20
Big Fortunes for
Many in the Play
of Monte CriSto'
James OyNeill and William f.
Connor Among Those En-
riched by Play.

anure DumaS, tneu u play dctcu by Les
ter Wallack. Z. l.. Davenport and James
O'Neill and now in its third form in
Fox photo drama.
There are few people now living in
New York who link the preceding gen
Grafton with the present through their
intimate personal connection with this
celebrated drama. The only surviving
member of the original cast Of James
o'Neill's production OF 1883 is Forrest
Robinson, we'll known character actor.
living at the Lambs Club. He played
the juvenile role, Albert dc Morcerf, In
the OfNeill production at Booths The
ater, February 10, 1888.
Good lord I" exclaimed Mr.. Robinson
last week. Don't try to tell me / am
the only surviving member of that cast
which appeared with dear old Jim
O'Neill. Why, there must be any num-
ber Of young fellows still running
around who acted on that occasion
William Seymour, for instance, now one
of our veteran stage directors was there
the first night. and l distinctly remem-
ber that he rang the curtain up and
down, even though he did not act a part.
There must be many others. and al
though / was youngster at the time
remember 1t perfectly. 1t was a great
night. butsdont remind me that seem
to be the only survivor. 1t makes me
seem old when, as matter or fact,
never felt younger or better in my life.
If you don't believe me I'll take you out
to play golf and prove it,
William r. Connor, who made for
tune as the manager of James O'Neill
for nearly twenty y-flve years. was found
in his office in the Globe Theater Build
ing. He has retired from active theatri-
cal mana cement. but retains his office
because Of his lifelong friendship with
Charles Dillingham;. He is now very
wealthy. most of his money having been
made out of Monte Cristo," and at the
time OF the interview Mr.. Connor was
busy with an architect. discussing the
plans for the erection OF new million
dollar apartment house.
Made His Fortune Also.
yes" said he, reminiscently, Il have
to thank my dear departed friend James
O'Neill for most Of the good fortune
that came into my life. It was in 1883
that Mr.. O'Neill asked me to become his
manager. He had played Monte Crfsto
for six years and his former manager
had died. / undertook the direction or
his tour and remained with him for
twenty-five years. In that time the sue
cess Of Monte Cristo' was phenomenal.
Time and again Mr.. O'Neill tried to
break away from 1t, for he believed the
public might grow tired OF 1t, but cach
time his new play failed and We had TO
revive Monte Cristo.
I'm 1890 or 1891" continued Mr.. Con-
nor, II was in Toronto with Mr.. O'Neill.
A nice young newspaper man, who was
evidently new to the game, walked into
the old Princess Theater and found
sSf,at he was looking for job. He had
come to Toronto as the advance agent
OF q. musical comedy which failed.
put him to work at the princely salary
OF $50 a week--a big salary in those
days. He became the publicity and ad-
vance agent for James O'Neiu III
Monte Cristo' and made such hit
that we kept him with us until his
boundlcss ambition led him to break
away and produce plays on his own
account.
THAT young man was George e.
Tyler, afterward producer Of some OF
the greatest plays on the American
stage. Later on, in 1901. / became Mr..
a
but we are both glad to remember
that each OF US practically started our
careers with dear old Jim O'Neill ana
that wonderful play Monte Cristo.
which made me q fortune ana 1 know
that Jim O'Neill died a rich man. l
once tried to figure UP how many times
he had played II ana ! figured that
o'Neill acted Monte Cristo' b.s71 times
and that the receipts were more than
s10,o00,0oo. or course the play was
done hundreds OF times before that by
Lester wallack and r.. L. Davenport,
but IL never obtained tremendous sue
cess until James O'Neill acted It."
MT. TyIer's "Reminiscences.
Mr.. Tyler, formerly the producing
Americas foremost managers, was
found in his office In the New Amster-
dam Theater Building.
YES" admitted Mr.. Tyler. with a
smile, II began my career as advance
agent OF James O'Neill In Monte
Cristo' and I am proud OF It. / had
been working on newspaper In Chilli
cothe my home town. and / wanted to
break into the theatrical business, SO
came TO New York looking for job
The first engagement / really had was
as advance agent for q musical comedy.
but that was only for a few weeks and
l was left high and dry in Toronto.
Il applied to Mr.. Connor for an en-
gaRement and he took me back to meet
Mr.. O'Neiil. and right away I was en-
gagged. That was tho turning point OF
my life. l stayed with Mr. O'Ncill Ave
years and then broke into tho business
for myself The very next scason
produced The Christian, success
which speaks for itself, and from .het
time on / was an independent producing
manager.
> "In 1901 went into partnership
with Mr.. Connor and Mr. O'Ncili for a
mammoth spectacular revival Of Monte
Crlsto' We produced II first In Bostor.
and then brought IL 10 tho Academy
OF Music here loved the play and l
loved James ONeill. / could tell you
thousands OF stories about him, but l
don't suppose you have the space 20
print them Some day l am going IN
write my memoirs and then ! can tell
n lot OF interesting facts about Monte
Crlsto,' which certainly broke all rec
ords wherever IL WAS played.
with the wonderful development OF
motion pictures I can realize that WILL
lam FOX has probably accomplished on
tremendous scale what wc tried to
DO with the limited facilities OF painted
scenery ana calcium lights Our great
scene, OF course, showed Edmund Ddntcs
rising from the ocean after his cscars
from prison and climbing upon IA rocky
island TO announce The world Ia mine !
Have you got that IN the p.cture?"
THE tntarvfcVor neaurnd Mr.. Tyter