Actorviews (1923)

The First Gentleman of the Theater MET John Drew on West Madison street the other day, when he was searching the signs for a moving picture containing his nephew, Lionel Barrymure, and, strangely enough, called “The Face in the Fog.” It was on Madison street between Clark and Dearborn, and I was thinking how few beautiful women you see in that crowded section of Chicago, and what unpressedlooking men (I’d just had my gloves cleaned and was feeling rather superior) — when, lo! my bored retina was rejoiced by the reflection of a gentleman whose trousers did not spring at the knee and whose coat might have been tailored especially for himself. I recognized John Drew’s impressive wear before I recognized John Drew. I hooked arms, not unproudly, with my distinguished friend and joined him in the search; but neither his thick lenses nor my medium ones could find a sign of the sign of Lionel, so we started to walk to a little arts-and-letters club in Michigan avenue, of which we are both members. But before we had reached its modest portal I was stricken with an idea, and I communicated it. “John,” I said, “I know your aversion to newspaperiety, and I respect you for it — but think of me! Why can’t I once in an age sit down and talk out an