Evening star., 1925-10-11
Greetings From Humpty
Dumpty and the Prize Ring

engaging the man who once
launched the hypnotic terrors OF
Svengali the management may have
had some idea of duplicating the
grotesque effect of the Italian police
man in the Irene Bordoni show. But
Lackaye never was farceur and
he never will be one. When Mau-
rice Barrymore was appearing in a
very spectacular but poor play a
friend exclaimed i'll outraged feeling,
Barrymore. what are you doing this
for?' The reply was For seven
hundred and fifty week. Lack
ayes present engagement suggests
pecuniary consideration as the only
reasonable explanation. Expense has
not been spared. The show is en-
titled "Oh You" and the lavish in
vestments apparent i'll series OF
truly magnificent scenes cause ap-
prehcnsion OF change to Il. 0. u
In all the tempe stuous rapidity
of his career it may be doubted
whether Earl Carroll has had a
worse worriment than "Oh You 1t
is colossal spectacle. Influenced
Marie or Louie the Fourteenth
it attempts a plot A plot in
musical show is like dynamite. Ex-
pertly employed with we'll measured
stint it serves to induce a smooth
and satisfying condition. In mala
droit hands it is likely to shatter
the works.
Lackaye is A Washington boy"
Even today this statement is COM
mitted to print with hesitation, for
in his earlier career nothing was
more likely to induce a state of in
dignation on Lackaye's part than
this well meant expression of well
come to the home circle. The am
bilious player rejected the artificial
compliment which friendly enthu-
s1aSm might prompt and wanted to
be measured impersonally on such
merits as he could assert. But men
tai attitudes are not understood.
Nature has interposed barrier of
skull to prevent some of our most
important thoughts or emotions
from working lucidly. inwardly or
outwsrdly. SO Lackaye suffered at
the hands of innumerable critics
because he seemed to disdain a well
meant tribute. In holding aloof
from demonstrations of personal
geniality and seeking to base his
life uncompromisingly on his rec
ord as an artist he forfeited many
friendships and drifted. as most
keen mentalities are liable to drift.
into a habit of cynical expression.
Smart stories were attributed to him
and became current in way that
left him no opportunity to authenti
cate or deny. 1t was told that A.
NJ. Palmer, one of the most promi-
nent American managers, called the
actor on the carpet and said:
Young man, | understand you
have been indulging in cheap wit
ticisms concerning myself
well. Mr.. Palmer" was the reply,
I'D advise you to lay in a stock
while they are cheap. There's a
demand for them that may raise the
price"
While endeavoring to arrange for
the exploitation of a work which
was probably nearer to his heart
than anything he ever undertook.
Hugo's Les Miserables." he was
asked if he had found manager
who would produce it. :.
produce it." echoed Lackaye in
naughty scorn, Il haven't even
found one who could pronounce it,
All of which. and much more like
it. proved no great assistance in the
cultivation of popularity in mana
gerial circles. But Lackaye has no
doubt found greater pleasures in
the intellectual strife which sur
rounds the wit than he could ever
have secured by plodding the placid
and non-committal pathways of
dumb show.
rs Eat So called attention to
the close relationship of pugilism
with the theatcr. 1t is direct, un-
polished humor, and is designed tor
popular audiences who love the
patois of the ringside. Following
gift copy of James ]. Corbett's S
book. The Roar of the Crowd it
emphasizes the remarkable degree
with which the prize ring has asso-