Glacier County chief., 1939-03-03
VETERAN BUTTE
STAGEHAND DIES
HAD LIVED IN MINING CITY FOR
MORE THAN HALF A
CENTURY
Worked for Uncle Dick" Sutton in
Various Montana Theaters and Knew
Famous Actors and Actresses of so
Years Ago.

When death recently claimed
Charles Mallory of Butte, the state
lost one of its last links of the
present theatrical world to that of
SO years ago. Mr.. Malloy came
to Butte half century ago from
Bismarck, N. D., his birthplace,
with his widowed mother and a
younger sister.
Known affectionately to thousands
OF theatrical and stagecraft people
throughout the nation as Charley
Mr.. Malloy was truly a celebrity in
the theatrical world. He was a charter
member OF the Butte union of Theat-
real stage Employees and Moving Pic
lure operators and was honored with
the vice presidency of the Information
al Alliance of that union several times.
He came to Butte in 1889 and in his
long years of employment as a stage
hand in that community saw MANY
prominent actors and actresses come
and 60 The good ones, the bad ones,
the future stars and the stars, they
were all the same to Charley" He
was always ready to give a kind word
when a kind word was most needed
anu al encouraging Smile WneQ SUCH
smile meant the most.
The pioneer Butte man worked
shows at the Union Family theater,
one of the first in Butte, the Lulu.
which in later days became known as
the Empress, and the old Grand, also
known as the Mcguire Opera house, in
addition to the Broadway where he
was practically fixture" in more
recent years.
Worked for Sutton
He first worked in Butte under
Uncle" Dick Sutton, one of the best
known and most beloved old-time
showmen in America, who operated
the old Family theater, located at the
corner of Park and Montana streets.
Malloy, in addition to serving as a
stagehand. for Sutton, often played
bit parts"
Uncle Dick, however, didn't consid-
er me much of an actor" Malloy once
said, while relating his experiences be-
hind the footlights. Il didn't hold it
against him." Malloy added, because
as thespian I too considered myself
a 'washout.'"
Charley followed Uncle Dick" for
several years in Butte, working shows
at the old Lulu theater, named for
Sutton's daughter and at the Mauuire
Opera house. Among the old-time fav-
orites he worked shows for at that
time were Laura Benson, Henry Ches-
terrified, Richard Mansfield, Allan Dine
hart, Louis James, Frederick Ward,
Lillian Russell, Wilton Lackaye and a
number of others who won fame on
the stage.
Later the Butte man managed the
alter in MiSSoula for Sutton That was
in 1908. and playing there one week was
the late VIII Rogers, who at that time
was working for $50 a month. Malloy
and the beloved humorist of the stage
and screen, who met death in an air
plane crash with Wiley Post, struck up
a friendship in the Garden city that
carried on years after Rogers gained
fame in the movies.
Charley loved to recall amusing in
cidents in connection with his trade.
The story he liked best to recount had
Richard Mansfield as the principal
character. Mansfield was playing
Richard the Third" at the old Family
who was very ticklish. In the midst of
the climax Of the last scene as Mans
field was delivering an inspiring mess
age to his soldiers lined up near the
back drop curtain one of Charley's
stagehands poked a hat pin into the
back Of the ticklish actor. The soldier,
according to Malloy,- threw his gun
Mansfield's neck. The house, Charley
said, went into commissions and the
show was over.
Liked Lillian Russell
Malloy always claimed that Lillian
Russell, one Of the better-known of
the old-time stars, was also one Of the
most agreeable actresses to work a
show for. Charley Chaplin, who played
a slapstick vaudeville part at the old
Empress, was another favorite Of
Charleys.