The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-26
WILLIAM HODGE IS
REALN1ERPRETER
I. OF NATIVE YANKEE
Famous Star Of the Legitimate
Stage Started on Bottom
Rung Of Success Ladder


william Hodge. who comes to the
auditorium on May 9Th in his latest
comedy, straight Thru the Door"
can, without exaggeration, be declared
the foremost interpreter on our
stare today Of the peculiarly native
American type.
It Is probably little known to the
widespread theater -going public who
have 50 enjoyed his many delightful
footlight creations from the days Of
''9ag Harbor" that this now disting-
uished star started Ut the very low
est rung Of the ladder Of theatrical
experience.
he gained his first OPP --tunity to
learn the actors art a. enjoy q
dramatic career by beginning as =
property boy with small repertory
company wandering among small
towns Of Pennsylvania. Soon he de-
veloped to such an extent that be
was given minor parts to play.
Hero and william Both :.
He "trouped" for several seasons
In Pennsylvania and his native state
Of New York, playing every kind Of
part known In the catalogues OF these
repertory organizations. He was .
hero one night and q william the next.
In his all around capacity he even
developed talent for stage dancing
and acquired reputation as waltz
clogger when It was all the rage. This
was many years ago-at least the
charleston" was never dreamed Of.
Il remember" Mr.. Hodge relates.
~that On one occasion the audience
was 50 insistent on having me per-
form my dance that I had to 60 on
before the acts Of East Lynne" and
do the clog In spite Of the fact that
/ was playing the part Of the rascally
Sir Harry Levinson. and was In q
makeup that suggested all the VII
lians Of the part"
In time the persevering young actor
succeeded In forming . repertory
company Of his own. He was not only
leading man and stage manager, but
owner and producer as well. And he
= was yet in his teens. An elder brother
who had had experience in circus
life was finally made manager Of
the company, but william Hodge con-
trolled all its varieeated destinies. He
even wrote plays for his little COM
pany.
Forgets Dramas Names
Il have forgotten even the names
OF most Of the dramas I wrote In
those days. What I most remember
about that early period Of my career
is that I developed all by myself. and
unconsciously in way. natural
method Of acting. Perhaps I should
not call It method. for It was simply
my own feelings carried out In my
playing.
MY brother used, to come to me
and demonstrate with me for not be-
ing more theatrical. and ! really sus-
pect that he, In those days. looked
upon me as 4 misguided and stub
6orn young chap who would neve,
see the footlights Of Broadway. As
look back on 1t now. I often wonder
how / did manage to resist the false
influences about me. and In my un-
sophisticated youth remain true tt
my innate notion Of an art In which
I was really immature and untaught.
Typical Stage Irishman'
When Hodge played on Broadway
for the first time It was as q typical
stage Irishman." in Lincoln ]. Car.
ter's old time melodfama, The Heart
OF Chicago" Later, he Was In thu
first Of the Rogers Bros. nusica
farces called "A Reign Of Error" Thu
idea Of q rural type was remote until
he was cast for the role Of Freeman
Whitmarsh. the village painter arit
gossip In Sag Harbor." This was thu
season Of 1901. and Hodge attainet
immediate celebrity. Stephen Tull.
In "6ky Farm and Capt. Plunu1el
In George AIDES Peggy from Paree'
followed, after which great oppor'
.. ,tunity came with his Mr.. 6tubbins IL
NyMrs. Wigs Of the Cabbage Patch
Then fortune smiled again. He VA
engaged to play Daniel Voorhees, Pix
In THE Man from Home" In which
he appeared for seven seasons AM
which made him . star twenty -on'
years ago. After this, Hodge begal
writing his own plays and has col1se
cutively appeared In THE Road Il
Happiness Fixing Sister" Cur
for Crables.' THE Guest Of Honor
Beware Of Dogs" For All Of Us.
THE Judges Husband" and no,
straight Thru the Door," the bes
play and best role he has had sine
''The Man From Home
Through the years, however, Nj
Hodge has always held steadfastly +
his naturalistic method and to Q stud
~ familiar American fv11As IN thA IN