The Billboard 1905-06-03: Vol 17 Iss 22 (1905-06-03)

a PN Re ARAN AE OO er 4| 7 the ajplause of earth we hear the Master say: The Billboard EULOGY ON JEFFERSON Rev. G. L. Morrill, Minneapolis, Pays Tribute to Departed Actor Rev. G. L. Morrill, chaplain of the Actors’ Church Alliance in Minneapolis, Minn., recently delivered. a eulogy upon the late Joseph Jefferson at the Unique Theatre, the house being crowded by citizens of the twin cities and by a large number of the profession. The theatre was richly decorated by floral offerings and appropriate orchestral and vocal music added interest to the occasion, for it had been previously announced that Rev. Morrill would speak upon the life of the well known actor. Rev. Morrill spoke in part as follows: “Joseph Jefferson has left us. Last Sunday while the Easter bells were ringing the joy of the resurrection he looked out upon the ocean he loved, then saying ‘Farewell’ to his family about him, his soul crossed the sea which flows between time and eternity, and he dropped anchor in heaven’s harbor. “The grand old man of the stage is mourned by three generations of men, women and children in England and America, who loved him for the smiles and tears he brought into their life. Some of that sorrowing; number are here this morning, and it is fitting we pause long enough to express our feeling of love and loss, and to place for-get-me-nots upon his new-made grave. “The elements were so fixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, ancestry, and destined to the stage, he neverthe‘This was a man.’ Descended from an actor’s less enjoyed outdoor sports and indoor books. Club life with its men and school life with its children were dear to his heart. He loved the country with its quiet, and the ocean with its roar. To nature he added a love of human nature, at once gentle, good and generous. “Jefferson's genius was versatile: He could paint a landscape, give a lecture, write a charming autobiography, and act on the Ameriean stage as no other actor did. As Caleb Plummer in The Cricket on The Hearth, Bob Acres in The Rivals, and ofr. Golightly in Lend Me Five Shillings, he achieved a success and honor which no rival divides with him. When it came to Rip Van Winkle there was a simple, subtle, spontaneous something about it which made it the most perfect creation of the American stage. He did not act Rip. He was Rip, witb an art of humor and humanity inimitable. ~ ” gamed his own place, and no man lives to Re “But he was more than a popular actor. There are some men we admire, but we love him. The old and young felt his magic, pathetic humor and winning way. “Mr. Jefferson was great vecause he was good. His body, mind and heart were in harmony. He loved God and man. He was charitable and conscientious. Because he was broadminded, of personal worth, and clean character in private and public, he occupies the highest place in the heart of theatregoers, and is by them deeply mourned. “His career was in the relation of cause and effect. Evolution equals involution. No actor ean be a drunkard, debauche and moral outlaw and attain Mr. Jefferson’s fortune, fame and name, *“Oandid critics place Jefferson foremost in the list of representative players. After more than three score years on the stage, he gave the reaeons for his phenomenal success. The rule of professional life he placed most emphasis on was this: ‘No lasting success can be gained if anything of vulgarity or impurity is permitted to tarnish a performance.’ “Jefferson never compromised the high ideal of his nature or art. What he grandly did was rooted and grounded in what he virtuously was. His godly genius redeemed and adorned his profession, and made him a household word among the children he loved, and who loved him because he was so much of a child in heart himself. “Mr. Jefferson did much to bridge the chasm between the church and theatre. He sought to lift the stage to the plane of pure pleasure, and innocent instruction, from which if had fallen. They of the profession who admire the dead actor should follow in his upward influence— lest on account of its increasing carnality and commercialism the theatre continues to be regarded by the church as high treason against the mental and moral welfare of humanity. “Personally, Mr. Jefferson was of noble char| acter, true to himself and others. Privately, he had a tender love for wife and child which Was sacredly sweet. Publicly, he was the orna ment and honor of the American stage and the || exponent of its best dramatic art. “Not long ago Mr. Jefferson said, ‘I don’t | mind dying. It is the thought of quitting all these dear faces that hurts.’ Dear old Joe! Today he is glad and we are sad. He is gone but not to be forgotten as old Rip was by the villagers in the play. From the time he made ing it with Joe Jefferson and Irving’s immortal Rip Van Winkle. Though dead, he still speaks and we shall see and hear him again in immortal youth. It remains for us all to cherish the part he played on life’s private and public stage until death rings down the curtain, and above “ “Well dome, good and faithful servant.’ ” NEW USE FOR MOVING PICTURE MACHINE the first theatrical impression on our childish iF hearts, his name has been a household word. | We can never enter a theatre without associat| | Mr. Chas. Frohman has decided that | in the future the moving picture ma| chine will play an important part in | the equipment of his productions. Mr. Frohman returned to London last week from Bath, whither he had taken an artist and his stage manager for the purpose of obtaining material for the staging of a play. A biograph, or pic ture machine, was taken along and used to catch bits of life at the famous resort. The throng outside the ancient pumproom, with the invalids in their chairs, the bazaars, and the different features of life in the ancient city, were snapped continuously by the artist. In speaking of the venture, Mr. Frohman said: “My trip to Bath is only a part of the scheme I have had in mind for some time. I do not believe that from ordinary photographs it is always possible to gather a correct impression of life in some strange place. I believe that the moving picture will be able to convey a correct idea as to the characterization of the people to be portrayed in the drama. If ever the question of localities should arise there would be a record if inestimable value. I am going over to Ireland later to get moving pictures of the real Irish, then I shall biograph the real Scotch, the French and the Germans, and so on. I shall keep the records on file in my office and shall be able to bring up the life of any country by pulling down a record.” THE STROLLER The stroller paid a visit recently to the Chinese Theatre in New York. He had made a previous attempt, but, though his desire to look the unique enterprise over was very intense, it had, like an aching tooth with proximity to the dentist’s chair, been neutralized by the revolting appearance of the throng in front of the door. This time he made sure there would be no turning back. A party of professional friends were invited to take dinner with him at a Chinese restaurant, after which all were to attend the theatre together. The banquet had been prepared by a well-known Celestial caterer, who promised a_ swell spread made up of all the celebrated Chinese dishes, and served in native fashion. The party started in with brave stomachs, fortified by a day of She plays Parks and Her Spiral Globe Act is considered one of the very Best of its kind. fasting; but they ended in complete and ignominious rout. Unable to manipulate the chop-sticks, they called for knives and forks, which lay un | used beside their plates as one course after another was alternately placed before them and removed untouched. With the exception of one member of the party who said his stomach was invulnerable and his digestive organs proof against anything he might swallow, they all contented thernselves with recourse to American fruit. The valiant gormant ate an egg that had surely been buried seven years, and started on a bird’s nest pudding, but at this point his long suffering stomach sensibly rebelled—and, incidentally broke up the feast. Then the little party, after an interesting stroll through the narrow tortuosities of Mott and Pell streets, repaired to the theatre, where the prospective audience was _ pressing about the ticket office. Chinese in native costumes, from flowing greased cues to short soled sandals! One might easily fancy their having fed upon such fare as was displayed in the neighboring shops, with pressed, dried chicken and exhumed eggs as rare delicacies. A further stretch of imagination would picture them in the morphia laden atmosphere of the squalid dens to which they would retire for soiree and debauch after the “play.” It was a taciturn and an obnoxiously odoriferous crowd. In the struggle for admission no quarter was given and none was asked. There was no semblance of conventional courtesy; further than this, every man obviously mistrusted his fellows. Even the ticket seller was screened from view. only his hands being visible through the little slot before which a purchaser would thrust down his money and cover it with both hands, as protection against any possible attempt on the part of his neighbors to summarily appropriate it to themselves. The Stroller was debating with himself as to whether he should lead his friends into this struggling rabble of stinking Chinamanity, when two native representatives of the gentler sex approached, and, it being his nature, he followed them. They secured their pasteboards and he, being likewise accommodated, found upon entering the house proper that ten cents in addition to the price of each ticket would entitle himself and his friends to seats in the solitary box in the rear of the orchestra floor. The auditorium was reeking with tobacco smoke and other odors not individually distinguishable. The performance ws in progress on a little triangular stage in the corner of the room; but as the party had been informed that the play had really been running several months and would continue indefinitely without the repetition of a situation, no one seemed disconcerted because he had not arrived earlier. Of course, it was done in Chinese, and though the American visitors could not understand one word of the dialogue, it must have been well calculated to excite the risibilities of the audience, which was frequently thrown into paroxyisms of mirth, and applauded enthusiastically from time to time. There were no entries or exits. The entire company occupied the stage at all times, the actors coming forward upon occasion to follow up their cues. Musical instruments were introduced—typical Chinese instruments, the manipulation of which seemed to be a secondary consideration, the quality of the music falling somewhat below that ordinarily produced by the Igorrotes of the Philippines in celebration of a dog feast. Songs were also interpolated, croning, drolling effects without the slightest regard of harmony, cadence or rhythm. There was not, as far as could be discerned without a knowledge of the language, the least sequence to action, business, or dialogue, but it pleased the class for which it was made up, and as the Stroller and his friends were curiosity seekers and not critics, they left it to the audience to pass judgment upon the merits of the production, while they sought the fresh air and a much needed supper on the good old Bowery. * . ” The Stroller has, for some years, had under observation the relations of two brothers which make up a rather pretty little story. Charles, the younger, was a delicate, sentimental chap, who, by a stroke of good fortune, secured a position as press agent in the office of one of the Broadway managers. The boys were alone in the world, and through the indulgence and fraternal love of John, the _ elder, Charles had enjoyed the opportunity of a very fair education, which advantage John, as head of thé small! family of two, J. F. HEAD Above is reproduced an excellent likeness of Mr. J. F. Head, manager of the new Auditorium Theatre and Grand Opera House at Hot Springs, Ark. Mr. Head is recognized as one of the most popular managers, and his affable and extremely polite manner in treating with agents and managers has won for him a warm spot in the hearts of a majority of the traveling profession. He is perfectly fair and candid in all his business dealings, and his administration of affairs at the theatre above mentioned has been a most successful one. had necessarily forfeited. In the early days when both were youngsters, John had gone to work in a department store to earn means of support for the lad in whose education he took so* much pride. With succeeding years he advanced by diligence and strict attention to duty as far as the position of salesman, where, through his lack of education, it seemed he was destined to remain. But in Charles’ success he took the greatest pride. His love for the lad was very remarkable indeed, especially as Charles seemed hardly to have the proper appreciation for what his brother had done for him or even to return the various manifestations of love and admiration with the consideration and respect they called for. It was evident he was ashamed of John’s position. His illiteracy he openly deplored. But for all this, Charles was a good press agent and as his employers appreciated his efficient efforts, his prospects seemed very bright. One thing was against him. He had not the physical resources to withstand the ravages of the Bohemian life into which he was thrown. Hs ambition carried him far, but it was not sufficient. His ultimate purpose was to write a great play, and having thus obtained the means of subsistence he would retire to a little farm on the banks of a river, where, among his books, he would turn out an occasional play just to gratfy his artistic temperament and to show that he could— and incidentally to replenish his finances. He would have horses, an automobile, a houseboat where he would dream and write, a launch, and a thousand and one other things to make life paradisiacally, enjoyable. But his health broke irreparably before the play was started; before, as he expressed it, he had even qualified himself to write. The projects of his fancy fell like a house of cards. Once more he was thrown helpless upon his brother’s support, and again John was not found wanting in that charity which is greater than all other things. The play has never been written but Charles is enjoying the peaceful quiet of the farm in the river valley while John has given up many comforts in order to reduce his expenses so that he may make what remains of his brother’s life as nearly like those haleyon days of his dreams as possible. . . * Very few, even of the professional people who have visited Coney Island this season, are familiar with the pathetic story of one of the spielers, who, by his well directed energy, has succeeded in getting as good results as any other man in like capacity on the grounds. A few years ago this spieler was one of the most successful managers in New York. But affairs went badly a a a tl “oo =) a ae ee ee fe in ol ai i