davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The American Jewish world., 1922-12-08


should be of especial interest to Jew
ish readers since not only Mr.. Belasco
and Mr.. Warfeld, his star in the pres
ent production, are both Jews, but be-
cause the Shakespearean comedy Mr..
Belasco presents has been severely
criticized as well as highly lauded by
Jewish playgoers.)
When Mr.. Belasco began to rehearse
"The Merchant of Venice down in
Wilmington, Del, with David War
field as Shylock, everybody, from the
owner OF the theater down to an in
corruptible usher, told us it simply
couldn't be done: nobody would be
admitted to rehearsals. So we took
off our hat, hoping we would be mis-
taken for wardrobe mistress or an
actress out of makeup, and walked
boldly into the darkened theater, feel
ing and no doubt looking like a con-
yicted pickpocket.
From the lobby filled with whirring
sewing machines and costumers fran
tically bending over robes of gold and
scarlet and purple for last stitch,
one seemed to step into another world,
the darkened auditorium, where few
actors, already in costume and make
up, sat in front waiting for their
scenes. Against a gray street set,
which somehow suggested the cramp-
ing confines Of the Venetian Ghetto,
the clown, Launcelot Gobbo, pranced
and cavorted, dragging Old Gobbo af-
ter him. He paused uncertainty as a
voice rose out of the blackness below
him, very tired voice, courteous,
gentle and whimsically pleading.
Stop, please! Why didn't those
passers-by come in earlier? Try it
over again, Gobbo, and give them
their cues. Weinberg (this to one of
Shylock's co-religionists disguised for
the occasion as a Venetian gentle
man), you have to cross faster or
slower or you'll bump right into Old
Gobbo. Try it again. Now, Bert Ito
the individual who stood on the stage
acting as his ieutenant), get that
mob coming down. Go on, Gobbo."
Launcelot Gobbo, by actual count,
pulled his suffering father across the
stage a half dozen times until re-
assuring "All right, Bert" came from
the auditorium. Then realized with
a start that all this painstaking re-
hearsing of difficult bit of business
already perfected had been merely for
the benefit of five or six "supers"
who passed down one of the narrow
streets. I turned to look at the pro-
ducer, his massive white head great
blur in the uncertain light; little
below medium height in stature, lean
ing now and then on his cane. Moth
ing bizarre or compelling about the
wizard of the American stage stand
ing there in his shirt sleeves, yet I
found it hard to turn away to the
picture before me!
A mob of twenty or more rushed
upon the stage, quaint in mask and
domino; there was the sound of gay
music, of laughter which rose, only
10 be halted by the mild, patient voice
from in front:
~ think we've decided to cut down
hat music-a little-just little. This
sn't the real carnival. People will
,e disappointed and say, DO they call
hat carnivalv But it's only taste
wait till the end of the act. Try
crossing again." to very Jewish
ooking individual clad in rose color.
At the word the merry makers piled
,ut and tore laughingly upon the
The American Jewish world., 1922-12-08

oAuSiC, SlIlhulS 10TH VlSudliZGQ W1Cn
painful clearness why the carnival
merry-making for the Christian often
meant woundings and death to the
Jew; / wondered whether any but a
Jewish producer would have been able
to conceive that brilliant but wretched
figure among the maskers.
just as | wondered moment later
how anyone but Jew, no matter
how great the actor, could portray
Shylock, the suffering son of suffer-
ing race. From the dark doorway of
Shylock's house came voice discuss
ing trivial enough details from the
clown, Gobbo, but heavy with the Golus
tragedy. Looking on Warfeld's face
as he stood there, dignifed, patient
under his wrongs, / recalled with a
sudden stab of recollection how while
in the South | had never seen the face
OF an educated Negro without it's look
OF inscrutable sadness, the look of the
man who finds himself an alien in the
place he desires to call his home.
A sudden tenderness crept into the
voice and bearing Of the money lender
of Venice as he drew Jessica to him,
a very lovely, wilful Jessica as played
by Miss Julia Adler, whose father has
given the Yiddish stage it's greatest
Shylock. But the white-haired man
outside wasn't satisfied. David" he
called up, "if you're really fond of her,
show it, pat her shoulder that's bet
ter. You remember how we did it
two weeks ago? Well, never mind,
do it your way, of course, but I
wouldn't be abrupt with her."
Only an act, but it seemed miles
away from the Ghetto street to Por-
tia's sunlit halls at Belmont. The
scene was one of entrancing beauty,
yet so exquisitely conceived that it
was with surprise afterward that I
learned the court ladies wore gowns
costing five hundred dollars apiece,
while Portals robes ran into the thou
sands. It was all like fairy pag-
cant, where one doesn't feel at all
surprised to see that the prince is
robed in cloth Of gold and the princess
wears crystal slippers.
But the man with the cane wasn't
thinking of fairyland just then
"Gratiano," as that individual made
his entrance, remember you're not
gallant; you're soldier; come in
again, please. That's it, put your
hands in your belt. And take off your
hat. Better make yourself up bit
younger"
Then the court scene with it's rich
background and it's officials in. habits
that you felt must be correct because
of the Belasco passion for perfection
in detail, as witness the heavy formal
ity toward the Duke, the touches like
the law books, the money bags; best
of all, the two lone Jews who stood
ready to rejoice with Shylock in his
short-lived triumph. They creep away
at the end, through a side exit, while
the mob outside yells derisive greet
ing to Shylock. Only a tiny detail,
but large enough to mirror the hide
ous persecution of that day which en-
Uttered the lives of all of his coun-
5rymen and at the end finally goaded
The Jewish money lender into mad
ness.
But sometimes. such meticulous. de-
,ails are better appreciated by spec
;ator than by actor! AS the creaking
# the shifting scenery almost
lrowned the lovely prelude to- Act ",
heard half humorous growl behind
ne. "What are you looking so cross
or, addressing a blue and silver.
The American Jewish world., 1922-12-08

you've got to come on sooner OF
half the house will be out of their
seats and going home. Jump on the
stage, and, for Gods sake, start to
sing right away. Try it again and
softer-that songs a fade-out. I'm
derstand?"
The jester understood and the music
of an older day and the dawn-Iit
garden faded away altogether. I
found it hard to come down to earth,
but the voice of stout person in
sober black jolted me into reality
again.
Somebody took all my brown
POWDER" snorted lady who looked
very much like the wardrobe mistress
| was trying to impersonate, etook
it right off the shelf"
Have you been seated here all
through this rehearsal?" demanded
voice at my elbow.
l turned and looked up into a face
now guiltless of Shylock's tragic lines
and beard, the benevolent countenance
of "The Music Master" and "Peter
Grimm and David Warfeld.
I'll" stammered, wondering
now to explain my unlimited pres
ence.
His eyes twinkled as though he
sensed my embarrassment. "Did you
like 2" he asked genially.
tits wonderful" l gushed namely.
Then was spared from further in
antics, for Mr.. Belasco himself
strolled toward us.
eyes, it's going along" he said
modestly in the course of my most
informal interview, which doesn't
come into. this story at all. "I've GER
tainly enjoyed putting it on-one of
the greatest plays ever written. Yes,
I'm told that it hurts the feelings of
some Jews to see Shylock on the
stage. Well, they just don't under
stand that If he's presented with SYM
pathy he stands out as a great tragic
figure. If Mr.. Warfeld's Shylock
makes people feel that Shylock was
deeply wronged and goaded into his
revenge, can't see how my presen-
tation of the play can hurt the Jew.
Why, I'm as Jewish as anybody. When
was a boy of thirteen or SO and
was barmitzvah and my Cousin Able,
an old, old man with an enormous
beard, used to come to our house
to teach me Hebrew" he broke. off
w answer Clc question Oh Srlmy
individual in overalls, and I felt that
the story of Cousin Able must re-
main unfinished forever.
Outside in the lobby the sewing
machines still whirred and a frantic
worker declared that she'd worked
twenty years for Mr.. Belasco and
that particular costume couldn't be
reftted in time-and she knew it. A
all, boyish looking man drew out
1is watch, wondering whether the
lotel candy counter would be open
after midnight and declaring he'd
nave to have a bar Of chocolate to
go to sleep on. Near the exit girl
N furs spoke Historically. "Don't
speak to me; after rehearsing since
zen this morning I'm so tired I want
% scream!"
Turning, I saw David Belasco walk
ng down the aisle, his shoulders
tagging a little, his step little
weary. But his voice was cheerful,
almost buoyant as he called to a
group of workers busy in the wings.
All right, boys, keep up the lights.
IN going to work around for sew
raj hours myself"
The American Jewish world., 1922-12-08

BERLIN, (J. G. B.)-Ex- Chancellor
Wirth has become engaged to Miss
Guttman, Jewess, step-daughter of
the late Hugo Herzfeld, who was well
known on the stock exchange.
The American Jewish world., 1922-12-08

WiCnOuI geCC1ng all twisted up and
breaking our necks. It's great life!'
He stopped abruptly, for at Belas-
co rehearsal one grows still as death
as soon as the curtain is drawn. So
hope nobody heard my squeal of de-
light when | looked upon the most
beautiful scene have ever witnessed
in the theater-the moonlit gardens
OF Belmont. But the wizard with the
cane, instead of a wand, wasn't at all
satisfied.
"You men have too much red in
your makeup for this moonlight" !"
was his prosaic comment, even be-
for had ceased to marvel over the
soft sky, the fantastically clipped
trees and graceful pillars Of the Ital-
ian garden, sand it looks purple.
And, Bert, don't you notice how those
artificial flowers scattered all over
catch in the girls skirts they're too
stiff. Be sure and have fresh flowers
for this scene tomorrow whether we
rehearse it or not understand,
natural flowers
eyes, governor" agreed Bert.
Louie, Louie, what's the matter
with that moonlight, anyhow? Don't
you see that no matter where Bas-
sanio stands you can't see the ex-
preston on his face? And we've got
to see it, his comic dismay when he
knows Portia is going to scold him."
Belasco was on the stage by this
time; he whirled from the electrician
to the actors themselves. ST want
you people to remember that this is
beautiful comedy-delicious comedy.
The most delicious comedy ever writ
ten and set in fairy moonlight. That's
the way to play it, Louie. we must
have more light"
81 don't know what I can do about
it," answered the unmoved Louie.
1The way he's standing can't light
his face cause there's pillar be-
tween him and the light"
well fix itA-well fix it. And, by
the way, you've got to rip off that
green grass and see what you can do
about it," whirling around to another
assistant. "That green's absorbing
too much of the light. It's pity
because it's SO pretty. Now go on,
please"
But the scene was not allowed to
go on far. "Portia, Portal" rose
from the auditorium as that lady
flung herself in pretended rage upon
the fountain rim, "better see if that
paint comes off your DRESS" He was
on the stage again in twinkling,
the rare brocade with a
troubled air. Then with a sigh of
relief: 'sIt seems all right. But,
Bert"
eyes, governor?"
"Have that fountain gone over
right away. You can't trust it. And,
Bassanio, kneel behind her, but stand
up when you speak Of the candles
IF the night" A look of almost holy
bliss crept over the producers face.
Wait till we get our real sky with
,wo hundred stars that are going to
'ade away in the dawn" he told the
with something of the same
the Creator might have
'elt when surveying His celestial,
landiwork for the first time.
The three pairs of lovers walked
IF at last, not to the somewhat gross
est with which Shakespeare has
ended the comedy, but to music. They
'ehearsed that bit about a dozen
lines, and at the end even such an
amateur as I realized why it was
much better for Portia to have the
The American Jewish world., 1922-12-08
sHWoRLD
David BelascO Presents
AvEW


(The editor believes this to be
unique portrayal of the greatest of
American theatrical producers. It
should be of especial interest to Jew
ish readers since not only Mr.. Belasco
and Mr.. Warfield, his star in the pres
ent production, are both Jews, but be-
cause the Shakespearean comedy Mr..
Belasco presents has been severely
criticized as well as highly lauded by
Jewish playgoers.)
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
FIREWORKS AT SHELLPOT.
Big Display Arranged For July 4 WIN
be Given Friday Evening.

More than usual interest 4. being
shown in the display OF fireworks
which is to be held at Shellpot Park
Friday evening. Numerous inquiries
have also been made concerning It. II
Is the usual custom to give a post
poned display of fireworks ondhe even
ing following the one from. which II
was postponed but this was impossible
in the case of the Shellpot display. The
display is so large that the park man
agement desired IL to be in the hands
of experts and the concern which had
the contract could not give a date un-
til Friday evening OF this week. hence
the long postponement. The display
will be the largest and finest which has
been seen in Wilmington in a long
time. Shellpot Is entertaining n large
number of people each day and Bran
DIVINE Springs Park Is also enter
tanning an immense number of picnic
parties as we'll as tho regular park
visitors. The usual park amusements
are provided at the Springs.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
$4,000 ELKS HERD|NG
|. FOR SHORE CONVENTION
Atlantic City WorthiIy Welcom-
ing Antlered Order; Uncle Joe
Cannon Coming.
BY Associated Press to Every Evening.

By Associated Press to Every Evening.
Atlantic City. n. J., July locally
decorated. from Ventnor to tho Inlet
with purple and white bunting. At
lantic City today extended Hello
Bill" to tho Antlered herd invading
the resort for the annual meeting Of
the Grand Lodge OF the Benevolent
And Protective Order OF Elks, which
opens tonight. More than ten thou
sand delegates, representing all sec
lions OF the country, already have
registered, and grand officers predict
that at least $4,000 will be here TO
take part In the street parade on
Thursday. the concluding feature of
the convention.
Since early yesterday nearly every
train entering the city has brought
It's quota of Elks. Each delegation
is met by the reception committee Of
the local lodge with its band and
mounted police Secretary Fred
Robinson. OF Chicago. said tho con-
vention would break all records for
attendance
A delegation OF about flfty mem
bers of Congress. headed by Uncle
Joe" Cannon is expected during the
week, Assistant Secretary of the
Navy Theodore Roosevelt, member
Of tho Free Port Lodge, Is on the
program for an address Thursday.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
CHESrERTOwN AND VICINITY.

Special Correspondence Every Evening.
Chcrtertown. Nd. July 1o.-The d.
rcctors OF the Third National Bank
have purchased from l.. Bates Russell
IS shares OF tho stock OF tho bank at
5000 per share. Several months ago
Mr.. Russell purchased this stock for
sis2.5o per share.
The first issue OF the Rock Hall In
dependent. a new publication. managed
by w. A. l.. Strang, and Henry Dietz.
made It's appearance Saturday.
The hotels at the bayside resorts
and tho boardinghouses along the bay
and rivers In the county are filled
with summer guests. and the season
promises to he profitable.
by the will of Mrs. Charlotte A.
Emory. filed at Centreville. Edward
w. Emory and Misses Julia and Belle
Emory. are given the fine farm on
Chester river known as Ashland.
Numerous bequests TO other relatives
are made in the will.
The operation upon Miss Helen
Adams, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Paul Adams, two weeks ago for af-
was at first believed. The stitches in
the incision broke, and there will be
no Improvement in the speech unless
n successful operation can 10 effected
Vernon Selby. son OF DIR. and Mrs
W. o. Selby, OF Rock Hall, has passed
the entrance examinations to the West
Point Military Academy.
L Scott Thomson of Wilmington
has rented a storeroom at the corner
OF High street and College avenue and
opened a battery and electric supply
shop.
The carriage OF Mrs. Samuel Nicker-
son was struck by An automobile, and
Miss Sallie Dean, OF Baltimore, one
4 the occupants OF the carriage, was
injured.
The Chestertown baseball team do
feated the Centreville team Saturday
by n score OF 10 /. Clarence Usiltor
was on the mound for the locals and
Perry for tho visitors. II was q
pitchers battle from start to finish
with tho odds in favor of the loca
hurler.
The first homegrown peaches OF the
season arrived in local markets Satur.
day from the orchard OF Walter p
/ Harris. near Betterton. They were o.
the Carmen variety and OF fine flavor
/ The crop is large this season
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
MRS. ELIZABETH BURR|S
HAD VISION OF DEATH
Dream SO Vivid She Was Aston
ished to Awake In Land OF
Living.

Mrs. Elizabeth Burrls, aged 80
years. who died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Charles w. Hill of
Greenville. wac buried Saturday after
noon In the Riverview cemetery.
The funeral services were held In
the Christian and Missionary Alliance
Church, 5O< West Fifth street at 2.30
o'clock. Several hundred people as-
sembled In tho church to do honor to
the dead woman. Tho service was
conducted by Rev. w. I. McGarvey
tho pastor. assisted by Rev. Luther w.
Broadway Of Madeley church. Mr..
McGarvey preached the sermon. Rev.
Luther Broadway also spoke and in
glowing terms eulogized tho departed
After this Mr.. McGarvey and his
da tighter sang the 'Pearly White CITY
and the services ended.
Elizabeth Burrls was born in
Smyrna, Delaware. in 1894. Her
mother died when she Was two years
old. About 81 years ago she moved
to Wilmington as tho wife Of the late
Samuel l.. Burris and has lived here
and in this vicinity ever since.
The most remarkable thing in Mrs
| Burris' life WAS her Christian activity
She was converted at the age OF /;
and since then has been an ardent sup
porter OF the church. Until Is years
ago che was n member Of Madeley and
Epworth Churches. Then she joined
the Christian and Missionary Alliance
Church. Mrs. BuIvis was very ACTIVE
in the work and every day spent mani
hours visiting the sick and makinl
calls for the church. II was this ex
orcise, In fact, that FASTENED her end
Mrs. Burris was III for four month
and for 81 days did not eat any food, tn
only thing passing her lips beini
cracked Ice. Several days before he
death she had vision and she hrea m
ed that she was dead and the rniniste
was preaching the burial sermon owe
her She was nstounded to wake ant
find herself alive.
The deceased woman was the mothe
OF eleven children OF whom there ar
still living: Mrs. Annie Bentley
Charlestown. Md; Walter l.. BWris
Greenville, Del Mrs. Charles w. HI
Greenville. Del; George w. Burri'
New Castle. Del. and Charles II. an
Samuel J.. Burris OF Wilmington. BE
sides her sons and daughters she
survived by twenty-four grandchildre
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
DEATHS.

CoCHRAS-At klwyn. Pa on July s.
1922 Annie NJ. Cochran. widow OF Will
liam r Cochran
Funeral services az 81. Annes Church.
Middietown Del. on arrival Of II %
train standard time. Tuesday. July IL
GRAY In this city. on July 10. 1929
Margaret Crockett wife OF William
Gray in her saith year
Relatives and friends are invited 90 at
tend the funeral services at her late resi-
dencc. 1926 Walnut street. on Thurs
day. July IL. at o'clock Interment at
kiycrNisw cemetery
MEREDITH In this city, on July S
1922. Charles II. Meredith. aged 65
years
Relatives and friends are invited TO at
tend the funeral services al his late resi-
dence. 3o3 seventh avenue. on Tuesday
afternoon. July ] !. at 2.30 O'Clock. In
terment AZ silyerbrook cemetery.
DoCGHERTY-In this city. on July &
1922 James A. Jr beloved son OF James
\. and Lillian c. Young Dougherty
aged years
Relatives and friends are invited 20 at
his grandfather James Dougherty. 4O2
North BrOOme street. on Wednesday
morning at . O'Clock. Requiem mass at
- Paul's Church. Intsrment at Cathe-
dral cemetery
LAPsiEY In this city. on July o
1922 sarah widow Of Thomas LapsIey
Relatives and friends are invited to at
tend the funeral from her late residence.
22lu Lsmmot street on "Wednesday morn
Ing al clock. Requiem mass al st
Patrick : Church. Interment at Cathe-
dral cemetery
McNIFF In this city. on July 10 1922
John VI McNir. Jr aged 20 years
Due notice Of funeral viii b. given.
PlATT In this city. on July 9. 1922
James Piatt. agrd 20 years
Relatives friends and employees OF the
J. v A W a. II shop are Invited 90 at
tend the funeral services at his Ia te resi-.
dence. s2O New Castle avenue. on Wednes.
day afternoon at O'Clock. Interment
private,
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
HARRY H. B|LLANY TO
ADDRESS ROTAR|ANS
Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Will Explain Work Of
His Department.

Word was received today that Fl. III.
Bnlany, fourth assistant postmaster
general, has accepted an invitation TO
come to Wilmington on Thursday.
July 20. and address the members OF
the Wilmington Rotary Club. In his
address he will describe tho important
features OF the operations of the pos
tai department. Public Affairs" viii
be the topic OF the day at tho lun-
cheon, and Mr.. Billany viii discuss the
postal service from that angle.
While he now resides in Washington
MIR. Billany still retains his citizenship
in Wilmington. He has charge OF all
the rural mail routes in the United
States. and also OF most OF the sup
plies which are required by the Post
office Department for the service
throughout the country.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
Engagements Announced.

DR.. and Mrs. Frank l.. Grier. OF Mil
ford. have announced the engagement
OF their daughter. Miss Mary Osmond
Grier. TO Ensign J. Lockwood Pratt.
son OF DIR. and Mrs. ]. Lynn Pratt, Of
Milford. Ensign Pratt was graduated
from the Annapolis Naval Academy In
Juno.
Dr. and Mrs. Julian Adair OF 500
Franklin street has announced the en-
gagement OF their niece, Miss Marjorie
Tatnall Spear, TO Roderick Watson Of
Bethlehem. Pa Miss Spear IL a
graduate OF the Hannah Moore
Academy. at Reistertown, Nd. Mr..
Watson IL connected with the Key
stone Manufacturing Co. at Bethlehem
The wedding will take place in Sep
an1har
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10

Al st. Paul's NJ. r. Church last
night Rev. Carlisle l.. Hubbard
preached on Jesus and a Hopeless
Man" Declaring that the church is
chiefly OF value as the pathway TO
Christ and salvation, the preacher
surmised that II lie were 10 come TO
Wilmington q would be the hospitals
and the prisons rathr than the clubs:
the poor rather than the well-to do
that he would visit. Music was FUR
nished by Mrs. Eleanor q. Kemery
and Wilmer Boldly. with a violin solo
by Charles L. Edwards.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-10
TO FEATURE CITY SLOGAN.


Wilmington. the First City Of the
First State" will be displayed for the
FIRST time In any demonstration as
the slognn OF this city on Thursday
when n delegation Of tho Wilmington
Lodge Of Elks. headed by Governor
William ID. Denny, will participate in
the annual reunion at Atlantic City.
The local lodEemen will have a
street parade hero early and Mt 3
o'clock Will board n special train for
the convention city. The reunion Will
DC held on the steel pier. The head
quarters OF tho Wilmington party will
be Hotel Beaumont.
Tho Wilmington Elks, who will
leave Thursday morning, viii wear
white trousers. white shoes, white
socks, white shirts and blue coats. on
their straw hats they will wear purple
ba nde. and the ties will be OF the same
color. They Will carry canes.