The Washington times., 1931-01-28
Dreams of Costello Romance

But this great love, too, quick
~ went the way of the other,
and those later to come, without
my ever having seen, in person,
the John Barrymore of his day
The reason was because 1 fell in
love with Maurice Costello, then
in his heyday.
think l loved him because
he had cute dimples, just like
my fathers. And for days and
days mOOned about, day
dreaming of the time to come
when, as the actors bride, L
could sit on his knees, and
poke my fingers into the pits
in his face formed when he
smiled.
Norma Talmadge
Norma Talmadge. in those
days, looked upon as the
worlds greatest movie queen-as
no doubt she waS-though after
I, myself had climbed the scale
to Stardom and got to know her
personally, never could see how,
with her lack of personality, she
ever attained the pinnacle OF
fame.
Only recently, Sid Grammar,
With his father, owned and con-
Quoted the theater near cur home,
and which. to me in those days.
was everything in the way OF
fine appurtances that theater
should be, we're reminiscIng.
Don't you remember, Sid, the
day I applied to you for a job?"
asked
DO I remember Rose La
France?" he chuckled DO I?
Say, Alma, did you really take us
seriously?'
."Of course, did. When I told
you that was quick change
artist, do you know what I
thought quick change artist
was? Well, thought they changed
slips of newspapers into money,
ard other feats of sleight of hand
and legerdemain."
Whatever in the world pos
Gessed you to pose as that, when
you knew absolutely nothing about
it," he quizzed.
Was Ill at Ease
'Well. you and your father
asked me what my stage speciality
was and I was so floored that
couldn't think of anything else
As matter of fact, now that the
truth can be told. 1 never had
seen a quick change artist but
hsd seen the designation in print
somewhere and thought that it
sounded good"
ALI this, of course, occurred in
San Francisco, when I was about
IA. The Grammar Theate, was
on the route I covered daily going
to and from the public school
which / was then attending.
On this particularly day, while
in passing, had seen the Grau-
mans, father and son. lounging
against an electric light pole in
front of the box office. The inn
pulse, to apply for a part in one
Of their shows was irresistible.
They looked me up and down
in amazement, at first, then their
faces became drawn-I now know
in an air of mock Solemnity.
as they considered my poSsibili-
ties as a quick change artist, the
qualities of which I had so blat-
antly and ignorantly described.
Mighty Good Pay
How much do you think
you're worth?" Grammar senior
finally asked after an exchange
Of knowing mods with his son.
Ten dollars a week is the
least I'll work for" l ventured,
afraid that I might be fixing too
high a figure.
"What?" they cried in unison.
"Ten dollars a week! Your act
must be good"
1T certainly is" 1 assured
them. 1T is a marvellous act!"
And there I stopped, paralyzed
with the fear that they might
call on me for tryout, then
and there.
They stepped to one side and
debated long and earnestly in
husky whispers My heart was
standing still. Maybe they were
going to engage me-and at my
own figure. Ten dollars d week.
Heavens! Why in no time at all
I would be wealthy.
"AlI right, Rose La France
had introduced myself by my
favOrite name in the interim
suppose you leave your address.
Well telephone you when we're
ready" Sid assured. And, by
the way, you know, we never
pay less than $40 a week"
"And I'm engaged?" l finally
spluttered, breathleSsly.
Certainly" he declared.
"After we send for you"
I flew home fairly in a state
Of delirium. / had a job on the
stage. l was in actuality Rose
La France. Rose La France,
the quick change artist. At $40