The Washington times., 1934-07-09

1T Cleveland, the Palace. It had
$500. 900 worth Of oil paintings in
the lobby. I remember q news
paper man asking Albee what was
his greatest investment in q thea
ter. He said: 1T was when I
spent $89 for some Brussels car.
pet I put in the coal bin Of my
Boston theater. People from
everywhere came to see the thea
ter that had carpet in the coal
bin."
I remember hearing how Albee
first went to work for Keith. It
was in the days when Keith's
museum was one Of the big show
places. And Albee became the
greatest "yes" man in the country.
When he asked Keith for work
the latter said: IAN right, Just
go ahead and make yourself use
full" The next he heard was
from one Of his assistants. It
seems that Albee went into the
museum and mingled with the
crowd. And when the barker
would finish q spiel" telling Of
some wonder, Albee would say in
q loud voice. Eyes, that's fair
enough" He was one Of the first
"stooges" in the United States.
I will never forget my expert
ence with Sarah Bernhardt and
the baked potatoes. It was dur.
ing the latter days of the war and
she was to play at the Hippo
drome. The train was three hours
late and the house was packed.
Her manager arrived and said she
couldn't possibly 60 on. I was
frantic. I didn't dare tell the
audience. Finally I got in touch
with the French chef at one Of
the hotels. what does she espe-
cially Hke?" asked. Baked po-
tatoes with plenty Of butter" he
replied. "Send over all the baked
potatoes you have" I ordered.
Over they came, and when the
Divine Sarah" got to her dress
ing room, which we had built Of
scenery, running hot and cold
water and all, there were the po-
tatoes. She sat down and the
meal was served. She ate four Of
the potatoes. Then as she began
to warm up, she announced, "I
go on" I heaved a sigh Of relief.
After the performance she sent
for me. "You like my new act?"
she asked. I replied Immediately,
1T was marvellous" "Ah, then,
you send a good letter to New
York, yes?" she queried. eyes," I
said.
And that little conversation con.
tanned a lesson that many an en-
t"rtainer today could use with
profit. Great as she was, she was
always trying. always striving for
perfection. She was always learn
ing. Nowadays our entertainers
are too satisfied with themselves.
They are not interested in finding
out about themselves. They do
not want honest criticism.
Then Came Radio
Then came radio. I remember
that a man, Warren Cox, had a
small station in Cleveland. I was
interested in this new thing. I
got in touch with Cox and pre-
Sented the first vaudeville show
over the air. I remember the
headliner was Rea Samuels, the
Blue Streak Of Vaudeville.
One night I was invited to the
home of Robert Lindsey, presi-
dent of the Cleveland 1lluminat-
ing Company. That night I was
putting another vaudeville show
on the air over the station owned
by Cox. We listened to it and
Mr.. Lindsey was much interested.
Then I began to receive orders
from Albee and Keith telling me
to have nothing to do with radio.
The other day tore up is years
Of correspondence and I re-read
some of the letters warning me
to keep out Of broadcasting.
Finally left the Keith circuit.
a short time Mr.. Lindsey
sent for me and asked me to
manage station WTAM. I con-
tinued in that capacity until 1880
when I came to New York as
head Of the program department
Of the Natio BroadcaSting
Company. Here I've been ever
since.
But I can't forget the great
troupers Of the road. I'm very
proud of my contacts with the
;heater and with theatrical people.
am glad to say that I have
helped some Of them in radio.
When I came to New York
found that many who were great
On the stage were not so good
over the air. And I found out
why. They were looking at the
microphone from the viewpoint
of a million people. And they
we're playing. to that million. I
took them in my office. Forget
the Million" I said. "Play to
four people in a room and visu.
alize these four as friends Of
yours you are trying to please.
Think Of only four people"
And now I will conclude with
one final remember" When