Intermountain Jewish news., 1926-09-16
The Screen and
Stage Jew
Continuation,
THE SPOKEN DRAMA


majority Of producers and managers.
The foremost theatrical genius OF
our age may be Jew: Max Rein
hardt. but in this country Jewish
names are predominant only among
the producers, men like Morris Gest,
the Selwyns, the Woods. Sam Harris,
the Shuberts, David Belasco, Daniel
Frohman, Eranger, Martin Beck,
Arthur Hammerstein and Lewis &
Gordon.
Jews OH Light Stage"
Jews do predominate in what might
be called the "light stage" AL Jol-
son Is the foremost of this clan among
the men, and Fannie Brice among the
women. Both Of them have main
tained their Jewishness, though it
can readily be argued that they had
no other alternative.
Jews Unknown as Such
Many Jews who have gone on the
legitimate stage have been forced
either to hide their identity or to deny
their Jewishness. Some Jews, who
have changed their names, have done
it more as matter of personal con-
vience than from any attempt to OBJ
literate their Jewishness. Some Of
the examples are Francine Larrimore,
whose real name is Leibowitch, Rus
! sian-Jewish girl, born across the seas,
and Nora Bayes, originally Goldberg,
who was born and raised in the Chi
cago ghetto; Ed Wynn, "King of
Fools also forsook the surname Of
Goldberg. though he was born in Phil
adelphia of Orthdox Jewish parent
age. One could hardly blame George
White for abandoning his given name
of Gerson Weiss, when he began to
have visions of producing those gor-
geous George White Scandals"
Eddie Cantor, Nan Halperin, the
four Marx brothers, and Belle Baker
are others who have captured the top
most places in the realm of stage en-
tcrtainmcnt. The significant fact is
that all Of these "lights" are univer-
Office value does not suffer in the
least. II is in the realm of the more
serious drama that a Jewish name
seems to be regarded as a handicap.
Much Discussed -Dybbuk"
The outstanding dramatic sensation
of the past year was David Vardi,
who staged Ansky's "The Dybbuk," /"
for New York's Neighborhood play
house. He succeeded in Transforming
some mediocre Christian performers
into the most talked-about Jewish
actors in u decade. If Vardi is not
given some cheap theatrical stuff to
direct now, this young Russian-Jcw
may yet rise to be Americas foremost
director.
The Jewish actress who attracted
most attention during the past year
is II young girl by the name of Rabin-
5witz, who is known outside of her
role as Mother Goddam in "The
Shanghai Gesture" as Florence Reed
Il may he said thnt these two Jews.
producer and leading woman of "The
Shanghai Gesture" have contributed
to one of Americas most salacious
productions, but Miss Reed has given
notable performance as the Chinese
procuress.
Bertha kalisch as Masda
Bertha Kalisch. whose greatest
fame NJ Jewish actress was gained
ON the Yiddish stage, was recalled by
English drama in the leading role of
Sudermann's "Magda," with whicn
she toured the country. Her own per
formancc was rated above average
despite the fact that the play WIS con
demned us so worn as to be creaky.
Ever since his remarkable perform
ance in "Lilion," critics and laymen
have been wondering whether Joseph
Schildkraut. "thc most handsome man
on the American stage" was over
acting or whether it was nuanct
much to be desired in his acting. Con
servative opinion has agreed, however
that time will refine his temperament
tai gestures and leave his histricni'
abilities pure.
Kenneth Mckenna Cleo Mielzincr
Jr.), though not by inclination Jew
deserves mention as grandson Of 1
late Hebrew Union College professor
He did excellent work this year in th'
revival of Sir James NJ. Barrie
"What Every Woman Knows" Tot
bad, that his father, noteworth!
artist, happens to be jew, and tina
Mckenna must accordingly be men
toned of the Hebraic race.
Ten Per Cent Actors Jews
Statistics have shown that abou
10 per cent of the actors on the Ney