Screenland (Nov 1930-Apr 1931)

116 SCREENLAND TELLING ON TIBBETT ! — Continued from page 57 that little knowledge will have for them. It is so easy to acquire when one is young and so hard later. How many remorseful singers have told me how they battled with their fond mothers who would try to oblige them to practise when children and how much they would give to have the chance over again. Alas ! it is too late unless one is willing to put forth almost superhuman efforts. Life is going on, other duties demand attention, the musical mind is no longer so sensitive as it was and what have we — failures, only because they refused to devote a little time to music when it would have been so easy. After this sensational performance was over and he was still in a daze from all the curtain calls, I went with him and Mrs. Tibbett to a restaurant across the street from the Metropolitan. Most people would have made such a momentous event in their lives the occasion for a celebration and would have indulged in nothing less than a banquet. Not so, this young man. He ordered his customary glass of milk and bowl of cornflakes. He made it a rule not to eat a heavy meal after a performance and he saw no reason to break it. I told him : "Lawrence, tonight you are famous in New York City. Tomorrow you will be famous all over the country." But he did not seem to realize what had happened. He remained preoccupied and said almost nothing. I suppose that he slept very little that night and got up early next morning to buy the papers. Hunting among the critical columns he saw nothing about himself and concluded it had all been a dream until Mrs. Tibbett caught a headline on the front page. The story had made the front page instead of the inside ! After that the deluge ! Telegrams, telephone calls, visitors, photographers, reporters, besieged the little apartment for days and still he could not quite make out what it was all about. Such a triumph often has bad effects as it is almost imposisble to live up to it, and it seemed then that nothing could ever exceed it. But in all honor to this young genius, be it said that each step has been an advance over past achievements. An amusing incident occurred sometime after this event which indicated the extent of his preoccupation. I was invited with Mr. and Mrs. Tibbett one evening to a small dinner party, given by some friends. Tibbett rushed home from a late rehearsal, changed clothes and appeared just in time to sit down to dinner. After dinner we adjourned to the salon when suddenly there was a hearty laugh from Tibbett. Everyone looked inquiringly in his direction to ascertain what could cause such an outburst. As we looked the laugh became general. In his preoccupation and haste, Tibbett had forgotten to change footwear and was wearing a pair of bright tan shoes with his dinner suit ! I think I mentioned before, and it is a noteworthy fact about this surprising American, that the popularity which has come his way has not turned his head. He is determined to be himself at all costs. In seeing him on the street without knowing his identity, you might easily assume that he worked in a bank or in a bond house. No mannerisms, affectations, or storied earmarks of the musician are his. Nor is he the least bit temperamental. Sincere, unusually sympathetic, considerate of the other fellow, just in his dealings, firm in his convictions — these are some of his outstanding traits. An indication of this last was shown on art occasion when he was making his first picture. He was singing into the microphone with his usual abandon and that sensitive little instrument was apparently finding itself overtaxed in handling the unaccustomed volume of sound. Finally one of the technical men sought to advise him and said, "Mr. Tibbett, you must croon into the mike." Tibbett drew up to his full height and replied, "Croon? Hell! I sing." And sing he did as all will attest who heard him in "The Rogue Song." The 'mike' was removed to a safe distance to insure adequate recording. But to imagine Tibbett crooning is to laugh. Tone to him is an expression of the emotion in all of its manifestations. It may convey heroism, whimsicality, braggadocia, archness, tenderness, shades of feeling without number. It would be unthinkable to confine all of these tonal variations to a croon, suitable chiefly for a lullaby. I am glad that he broke away from the croon, for as he implied, crooning is not singing either in the sound film or over the radio. Sound pictures will only begin to realize their amazing possibilities when singers actually sing for them. I have already spoken of the way in which Tibbett concentrates in preparing a part. After he has mastered the technical details, he starts to round out his" own conception of the part and that is an engrossing occupation. He reads all he can find on the character he is depicting and the customs prevailing at the time of action. He looks into the matter of costumes. Then he puts himself into the role. He never desires to lose contact with the life and people about him because they are all so useful as material for his laboratory of human emotion and reaction. Then finally comes the presentation of the part and those whoShave followed his career are usually aware of a refreshing orig * inality in everything that he does. He succeeds in bringing something decidedly his own to his work. In the Tibbett household there is a tacit agreement that work comes first. But after that, he is ready for almost anything, a game with the twins, a day at the beach. He loves to fish, hunt, hike and swim, and takes the first opportunity presented to indulge in any of these. Life in the deep woods is particularly enjoyable to both Mr. and Mrs. Tibbett. During the busy winter season when he cannot spend so much time in the open as during the summer, he goes to the gymnasium regularly after rehearsal for his daily workout. Both of the twins show some of their father's traits. Richard loves to read and Lawrence, Jr., is developing an inclination to act. They are encouraged by their father and mother. When a youth, Tibbett had an insatiable desire to read everything within reach and proceeded to devour books until the danger of undermining his health forced him out into the open. He still finds much pleasure in reading which accounts for his ability to talk on a wide variety of subjects totally unrelated to his work. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbett have worked hand in hand from the first, facing the hardships with fortitude and the successes with equanimity. They are still lovers as when they started on the great adventure. Mrs. Tibbett, who is a woman of much talent and originality, writes beautiful poems and has dedicated more than one of her lines "to Lawrence." There is one in particular which I have recently set to music and which Tibbett has been singing. It is called "Far Away." Far away }'ou are, Beloved — But in the heart of me You are always near. The lighted city . Twinkles like a stream of tears Across the world. Oh ! I have loved you A thousand years. A 'good egg' at heart. Fred Kohler, screen villain, would rather have a ramble with his Pekingese pups than fire a machine gun any old day.