Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-18

1t would not be easy to find an
author more at one with his theme
than is Cha rles Edward Russell in
this study of the life and art Of
Julia Marlowe. There is as founda
ton for this work, first. long a"-
quaintance between the two, be
speaking not only a familiar knowl-
edge of the superficial facts of Miss
Marlowe's life, but pointing as well
upon a sympathy and understanding
without which this work would. nat
urally not have been undertaken.
Again, with these two, the fields OF
intellectual interest run parallel or
overlap. Shakespeare is prime
prepOssessiOn with this author as he
is with this actor. student, imper-
senator, reader and critic-these two
meet in the great poet upon these
grounds. The art of expression is
one In which the author is keenly
interested.
But a subtler kinship than that
of long friendship, on the one hand.
and community of intellectual inter
est, on the other, brings these two
together Both are Independent. in
the quality of their thinking. Eoth
are innovators. Both are rebels,
when nothing but rebellion will serve
the purpose of deep-seated plan or
project. Beside all this, Mr. Russell
in fOrceful writer-clear. direct,
energetic, picturesque and drama tic.
And So under the urge of these
gifts and advantages he here tells
the story of Julia Marlowe and OF
her struggle to achieve success on
the stage. OF the outcome of that
struggle there in no need of the
printed record. That lies in the
hearts of theatergoers everywhere.
Those of the profession will read this
story with deep intereSt-some for
it's critical quality. which Is substa n
tial and Illuminating, others because
it Is a running comment of their own
aspirations and endeavo Some will
read it as story of such patience
as in not often seen. of such pluck as
few possess, of such independence of
outlook as not one in million can
muster. A story of courage, of
audacity-and equally story of
ultimate triumph.
1t Is in this last respect that the
story moves ont into general appeal.
And it seems to me that right here the
book takes on its deepest point of APP
plica ton. Ii every young person
could go over this record of work and
work and more work! Youth is
impatient nowadays, 1t always
IN impatient. That is part
Of being young. Youth wants to leap
into the high and secure place. 1t
can't he done. Read about this girl
who every day of her life walked Cen
trail Park from morning till noon. say
ing over this play and that one, as
Stunning this role and that one, till
all are letter perfect-and much more
than that. For in this period of prep
aratiOn the fight was going on at
every turn-the fight against the ira
ditionai and accepted rendition, be:
cause the old rutted way of saying
this or that could not deliver that
which Shakespeare himself meant.
And the self-impOsed task OF this
Young woman was to do just that-to
deliver the poet himself as he felt and
thought and wrote. This is the point
above all others in this splendid story
the point that makes the book one
for everybody to read, everybody that
Is Young and is getting ready for work
In the world. Why, this girl had to
intellectually to make-that gold
en- voice about which so much has
been said. Interesting as art? Amaz-
| ingly Interesting. Infinitely more so,
however, as the superb fitting of
means TO an end, as the unconquer-
able gallantry Of spirit that will
act be dAniN6.