Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-05
Gillette, Skinner
and The Star System
BY GEORGE woTHERsPooN.

THE current theatrical season, which
l. has abounded in utilities, serves at
least to emphasize the appeal of per-
sonality in the theater.
Experienced playgoers with fairly
tenacious memories can recall the
harsh things formerly said Of the star
system. It was called q force deStruc-
tive of the best interests of the drama
q vain exploitation Of the individual at
the expense Of all other potentialities Of
the stage. Yet, today the producer,
with q recognized stellar artist under
contract, Is, as they say, sitting pretty,
and a public surfeited with nondescript
nobodies visits its favor and patronage
upon the actor of established position.
Not many players of this type are left
to adorn the theater. Their names
used to be legion. Today q brief item
lied list will cover the field. Conspicu-
Gus in this category is a player who
has been before the public much longer
than the vitality of his art might in
dictate. His name Is Otis Skinner.
Of similar distinction, though an ex-
ponent Of greatly diSparate methods, Is
william Gillette. .tt
THE Return of Sherlock Holmes" has
constituted one Of the surprises Of the
theatrical season. 1t Is doubtful IL Mr..
Gillette, whose temperance may be
ascribed in part to sentimental consid-
erations, foreSaw the rosy consequences
of his undertaking. Revivals in stage
land may usually be attributed to lean
times. Mr.. Gillettes proposal to do a
definite farewell in Sherlock Holmes
conceivably fell on desperate and hence
receptive ears.
But what has happened to date
amounts to something a good deal more
significant than Endorsement of the
principal of REVEALS. The success al
ready achieved, by the production, in
New York is unshadowed by the kind
of, competition which contemporary
theatrical impresarios fear most-that
OF the motion pictures For here we
have refashioned that stronghold of the
stage Of yesteryear. the fortress Of COM
manding personality.
The screen at its best may cultivate
actual drama, but the spell Of. direct
contact is unattainable. Hence, obvi-
, ously, the challenge of the Aims must
be met with dominating Municipalities
as factors Of the fundamental nom
mechanical Impeachment between
player and spectator.
Must, therefore, the old complaints be
revised against the star system, of which
among the few, Mr.. Gillette and Mr..
Skinner remain inspiring representa-
glass Of retrospect to Justify a reversal
of viewpoint. Unquestionably the the
alter flourished in the regime of his
trionic consultations. Ascribe, If you
will, a certain amount of vanity to
stellar players Of yore. AS q rule this
attribute served as merely superficial
coating to legitimate pride, legitimate
Self-esteem and legitimate artistry, both
in methods and choice of vehicles.
TIL. ~ @R I1f
company assuredly felt responsibility for
the quality OF drama he submitted. And
in cases out Of 10 he strove to secure
and exploit worthy material.
Borrow for the moment H. @. Wells
serviceable Time Machine" Adjust 1t
to quarter of century ago, more or
| less.
Mark in. the panorama unfolded
Richard Mansfield, Joseph jefferson,
son, Stuart Robson, William H. Crane,
| Kyrle Bellew, E. H. Sothern. Maudt
Adams, Olga NetherSole, John Mason
Robert Marltell, James K. Hackett, An
ME Russell, David Warfleld, John Drew
Mrs. Leslie Carter, Henry Miller. Mark
also Otis Skinner and William Gillette
Many players in the extended, yet
haphaZard, foregoing list have passed
on. Some have retired. Mr. Gillette
| dllu MI. OkIlI1eT, however, IGbdIn Tic
kind OF prestige which has largely van
iShed from our theater. The linking
] OF these two names possesses relevancy
not alone because they are at present
so calamity sustaining the magic of
| personality, on the stage, but also be-
cause Of other associations less generally
realized. Mr.. Skinner, who this year
adds Papa Juan to a range of roles
of a positive Mansfield diversity, and
Mr.. Gillette, who has so skillfully
adapted his stage characters to his own
distinctive temperament, were school
mates. Sherlock Holmes was In the
upper classes at the Hartford, Conn.,
High School. while Papa Juan was In
the lower forms. It was Gillette who
drew the attention of Charles Frohman
to THE Honor. of the Family" that
memorable dramatization of bit OF
Balzac, candidly described by Mr. Skin
ner as my most memorable play"
It Is not of record that Mr.. Skinner
and Mr.. Gillette ever acted together
But they made many chapters OF his
tory in simultaneous starring tours
throughout the land. Gillette, as a
dramatist confined his activities to his
own plays or adaptations-"The Pri-
vate Secretary" Held by the Enemy, u