Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-23

David Belaseo has no successor and
his place could not have been taken BY
another at any time, in the Judgment Of
the American press As death comes to
him while still engaged In his work
recognition Is given to his artistry, his
appreciation of the popular taste, his
ability in developing actors, and his
capacity for putting life into the plays
to which he gave his attention.
The finest creation of David Belasco
was David Beiasco himself" says the
New York Sun, pointing to his unique
distinction in seeing that THE modern
theater is the progeny Of the wedding
of art and industry" and declaring
THE theater of the future will have its
own figures, some of them great and
distinguished. It probably will never
have another David Belasco. The ele-
ments conpounding his peculiar genius
we're too many and too diverse 10 be
readily assembled again in one person
atty"
1T was inevitable" thinks the Rich
mond News Leader, that he should
leave some enduring mark. and the fact
that it was on the physical stage rather
than the emotional does not detract
from its permanence." The Houston
Chronicle holds that he will be re-
rnembered so long as the theater remains
and so long rs actors tread the boards.
The Davenport Democrat describes his
career as "eventful and wonderful,
while the Birmingham News AYERS that
no one even remotely approached his
greatness" and he was the undisputeo
leader in all branches OF theatrical
thought" The Minneapolis Star states
that many OF his productions are land
m ANaAPiraH drama
An important stone has been re-
moved from the theater's none toe
sound foundation" says the Manchester
Leader. The Rock Island Argus pays
tribute 10 "l1is tranAcendent genius,
with the conclusion that If there Is
successor he win only succeed in imitat-
ing Beiasco, the master" The Newark
Evening News asserts that there is q
void where once he stood" The Buffalo
Evening News explains his work with
the statement that The had the inherent
faculty Of living the scenes and char
acters which he presented" The
Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator, calling
him the premier Snowman" sees nc
one qualified to put on the mantle he
has laid down"
Recalling Belasco's early days In Cali
fornia, the Oakland Tribune declares
that he looked and acted the great
producer, and from the days when he
was called boy until he was acclaimed
a master in his profession he held tc
his ideals" The Seattle Daily Times
records 1t to his credit that. with David
Warield he fought theatrical trust
and won, blazing the way TO subsequent
independence for the American stage.
The Columbus Ohio State Journal re-
marks that "for five decades he hac
been devoted to the disappointed task
Of developing and refining stAgecraft.
The Madison Wisconsin State Journa
feels that he gave character TO the
contribution of this country to the
theater," and the Harrisburg Telegraph
views him as "a teacher, q philosopher
and scholar"
He was highly influential in shaping
! the stage in this country" according u
the Chattanooga Times, while the
| Pittsburgh !, Post-Gazette believes thai
| the name of Belasco is permanently
associated with the Golden Age of tht
American theater," and the Ann Arbol
Daily News offers the judgment: Ever
in his declining years he was bulwarl
of the stage. Another Belasco may bt
needed In few years; indeed one Is
always needed. But BelascoS are few
and far between" The Scranton Times
AYERS that not only In the world oi
ke-believe but in the great outside
world as we'll, BelaSco's name will Ions
be remembered"
4
Measured by his service TO his fei
lows, IN the judgment Of the San An
| tonic Express, "Beiasco achieved . gTea
deal Like the dramatist Of Avon, h
could gid tedious hour-and how man;
! Of them for nailiions with innocent il.
ir.icn-!" This Fort Wayne Esws-Ssrtine
l declares HIS courRga and ideals harl
KEEP Eaiy. the hopes CT many that tn
theater really would never die and tina
around some corner must be q renais