The Washington times., 1936-04-21

was about 5, and the stage man.
ager remarked that / might try
J the part-Only it was to be an
Italian crying child. My father
gravely remarked that children
cried the same in any language
so 1 was dressed up in Italian
costume and went before the
foOtlights. When I saw that au-
dience began to cry, all right
and II didn't take any acting.
My debut was accompanied by
my first attack Of stage fright.
I had another the first time I
stood in front Of that sinister
thing known rs a radio micro
phone.
I remember my parentS-and
how we all admired them. I can
remember many of the witty
things my father said. I can re
member my godmother, ModjeSka
and the great personal charm OF
which even we small children
were acutely conscious. Children
are more sensitive to human
charm than anyone else, I some
times think.
I remember q really wonderful
vacation John and l once had,
as small boys. 1t was on an old
farm in New Jersey. We lived
alone-save for a Negro care
taker and about 20 dogs-played
hunting in the hills. explored
the woods, and lived q really
idyllic life-with nobody to
make us wash our hands or
faces. Between such interludes,
of course, there was study, work
with tutors, the theater. When
1 was l8 I played my first actual
role, in "The Rivals" with my
grandmother. Louisa Drew. She
portrayed Mrs. Malaprop. Then
came '"The Road to Ruin"
Then college, at Seton Hall
among the happiest days Of my
life. I remember the home of
Thomas A. Edison. It was like
e. reunion when, not long ago,
his widow visited the Metro
Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. and we,
had a long talk about old times,
and people we knew.
And John L. Sullivan! There
was a man! I used to go to the
gymnasium and box and wreStle
quite a bit-and John L. was my
idol. My one boast is that he
knocked me out once. He was
in a playful mo0d-and I didn't
dodge fast enough. That's some
thing for a fellow to remember.
Then days with the Nance
0'Neill Company, and with
James A. Herne in "Sag Har-
bor," And Second in Com
mand," with my uncle. John
Drew.
I'd saved money in these
shows, and decided to 90 to
Paris and study art. They were
happy days-whiIe they lasted
or rather while the money
lasted. But all things end. 1
came back to New York and
tried to make . living 1T alIus-
trating. There was too much
competition, I guess. from bet
ter illustrators. John had the
same experience and had been
fired from his cartOOnists job
on the Journal.
Constance Collier was getting
ready to produce Peter 1bbetson
at the Republic Theater. They
thought it would be a good 1dee
to have John and myself in 1t: II
ran a year. Then came The
Jest" vaudeville for a flier-ano
then THE Copperhead."
5zs There were trips with my
father. Some Of them were excit
ing-once in Texas we were on
the platform and watched tough
Texas marshal shoot down one ol
our actors: in a quarrel. Texas
was wild and woolly then.
n. w. Griffith and pictures.
They said there was daytime
work out there, on the side, for
actors. / wanted work, and
wasn't worried as most actors
were then about where it was.
It was easy. And found could
write stories, too, and get SIS
apiece. They "gypped" Anita
LOOs-she only got $40 for hers.
We found it out, comparing
notes.
Pearl White, and "The Exploits
of Elaine" that started the serial
craze-we had a lot Of fun max
ing that-thinking up thrills
stunts and so on. It was strenuous
we made a lot Of assorted pic
lures in and about New York.
remember once, out on Long
Island, they got crowd in from
New York. It was hard to gel
extras in those days, so scouts
picked up all the tramps ano
others they could find. When no
boes reached the studio, they went
out and robbed hen-rosts, were
beyond the control of the police
force-I think it numbered about
three-then started a strike fol
more money. They wanted to rir
I'D the studio: 1 mounted a soar
box and harangued them until the
fire department came with fire
hose. Those were the happy days
~"- X 4
Then Hollywood-in 1926. George
Hill brought me out to Metro Gold
wyn-Mayer for The Barrier.
. Norman Kerry and little Marcelin|
Day nlaY the leads. Then othe.