Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-28


of stardom. For her a career
A should take the place of love, nus
band and children. True, there
are actress on the American stage who are
happily married and have delightful families,
but they are the exception rather than the rule
One can't serve two masters-love and the
stage. high price, you say, for achieving
ones ambition, but the achievement is worth
the sacrifice"
Discouraging words, perhaps, to the stage
struck girl who hopes for both fame and love,
but they come from one who speaks with the
authority of experience. David Belasco, dean
of the American stage, who has known and
made more stars than one c9l easily count,
spoke them to me during chat following his
recent seventy sixth birthday celebration at
Atlantic City, when discussed not only the
stage as a career but his own important part
In developing the theater in America.
Nor is that part yet completed Many years
of activity undoubtedly still lie ahead of the
distinguished producer. most active man,
he remains constantly at work on his pro-
auctions or studying manuscripts and ambi-
tious performers. He believes that the stage
today offers splendid opportunities to those
willing and able to meet its demands.
There is" he told me, probably no more
lucrative profession than the stage for those
who succeed Especially Is this true of ac-
tresseS Most women believe they can act II
only given a chance. You would never believe
the number of stage-struck girls who try for
audiences with me. If saw them all, my
time would be devoted almost entirely to inter-
views But talent cannot be hidden and If
they Lave ability my methods will make or
break them.
MY players admit that I am hard task
master But what can be won by lazineSs?
Any young man or woman who wishes to be
. star and hold q glamorous position in the
public eye must first have health and stamina
enough to Withstand hardships. 1t has been
said that genius is the infinite capacity for
taking pains Isn't that true? Anything that
Is worth doing, is worth doing thoroughly"
Mr.. BELAsco feels that the phrase "just
as good" is as dangerous in the theater
as in the manufacturing world. His actors
and actresses become letter perfect in their
parts only when they forget they are acting
and begin actually to live their roles But how
can they do this in an atmosphere of papier-
mache, net and tinsel? 1t is as easy, even
though more costly, to surround them with
reality. This expense Mr.. Belasco considers
well worth while
If script calls for a cardinals ring to be
worn by a player he would rather purchase
an authentic antique than to provide cheaper
substitute. In doing so Mr.. Belasco clothes
Ehe player in reality, not pretense. That the
audience may not notice the difference does
not enter into the matter
at has been said that have made more
STARS than any other man in the American
glance back into the past, feel as though /
could reach out and touch the hands Of those
brave and charming players I once knew who
have passed on Charlotte Cushman, Edwin
Booth, Sarah Bernhardt, John Drew and
others. They struggled and had many heart
aches and disappointments. They faced diff-
culties that would seem almost insurmountable
10 the young players Of today who are impa-
eient for success. But a result, they sue
Deeded.
Being actor in those days meant strenu-
Gus work with not much remuneration. Some
times the actors gave three performances a
day, and two different plays on Saturday. Most
of them started in stock companies. 1t was
necessary then to have the lines of score
of plays at the tip Of the tongue, while today
these who have arrived may continue for
months and even years in one play.
1T was not easy, years ago, to rise to the
top OF the profession. Conditions were very
hard for the actor For one thing, he lived
entirely apart from the world and made
barely enough TO keep him. The present-day
star frequently experiences heartaches too.
But cur stars are, for the most part, under
80 when they achieve what it took years for
those of the past to gain.
II knew that period well. 1t seems only
yesterday that, as a htt1s shaver, i started
by giving performances in Gay mothers back