Evening star., 1932-09-03

The death of Wilton Lackaye, long
DISTINGUISHED on the American stage,
has recalled the many roles he inter-
preted for the delight Of the theater-
goer and his contributions IN many
other directions for the benef1t OF MS
fellow man.
"Wilton Lackaye, romantic actor,
who died recently, aged 10, was aSso-
ciated with the stage in the 'palmy
DAYS and for four decades he scored
his successes" states the Rock Island
Argus, recalling that "his most uni
versally praised work was In the role
of Svengai during 1895, the Irlloy
year." and that "he fought hard ior
clean stage, but claimed tnat tne
cleaning should start with the punnc,
as 'salacious plays are produced because
there Is salacious public.
The Scranton Times praises his work
for the betterment of the theater, say
ing: During the last quarter OF a
century particularly his name was as
sociated with many movements Tor the
betterment Of the stage and the pro-
fession." Describing him as g11teo
speaker" the Times notes that "whetner
in trouping or playing Broadway, his
speech after the second act was always
demanded" In similar trend Is the state
ment of the Providence Evening Bull
letin: with his consistent portrayal OF
clean roles. he was leading antagonist
against salacious productions, noting
that the audiences had grown away
from the sweetness and light and virtue
rewarded themes Of the plays OF his
great days to fondness for realism
and frank treatment of ideas that were
taboo when he trod the boards with
Barrett. His death Is the swapping OF
another link with the stage which men
and women with grayng hair will never
cease to love and to mourn its de-
parture into history" The Jersey City
journal saws of his efforts for better
ment of the stage: "Lackaye was one
of those monitors it Is a good thing Tor
every profession to have"
Warmly personal is the recognition
given to the actors personality by the
Youngstown Vindicator, with the COM
ment: "One of the country's best
known romantic actors, Mr.. Lackaye
made many personal friends by his
warm sympathies for what he felt to
be good and true in life and his out
spoken condemnation Of what he con-
sidered Injustice. To many here his
death will seem like the passing OF an
old friend"
Concerning Mr.. Lackaye's great crea-
ton, the character of Svengah in
"Trilby," the Dayton Daily News de-
clares: "The list of the characters por-
trayed on the stage by Wilton Lackaye
Is long one. 1t contains many roles
which have been forgotten, but always
the memory Of Svengali, the base OF
the actors fame, remains. The slnis-
ter hypnotist who made fair Trilby sing
| was one Of those figures in the world
of make-believe which never die. AS
| to the general fame of this actor, the
News says: Sheer artistry in the in
depreciation of a repulsive role made
the actor behind it widely beloved. He
was not only a bpwer behind the foot
| lights, but in otter activities Of the pro-
| fession as well. He had its best inter-
| ests at heart, and made notable con-
tributions to them. Old-timers will re-
gret this closing Of q career which be-
| gan almost half century ago, both
because it removes one Of the fine old
characters Of the stage and because 1t
| breaks another human link with the
days Of theatrical giants and a glamour
| which is no more"
As to his relations with other men,
! bers Of his profession, the Hartford
Daily Times has this to say: "On the
White Way Lackaye was Q dominant
leader IN bis profession. he helpe6- e