BREAKING AN "OUTLAW" IN CHEYENNE WHERE ANOTHER OF THE PICTURESQUE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS INCLUDES A BRONCHO NOT SO DANGEROUS AS THE ROLL, BUT THE MOST DISAGREEABLE TRICK OF THE FIGHTING BRONCHO, FOR IT JOLTS THE RIDER TERRIBLY. GEORGE FLETCHER ON "HOT FOOT" WINNING SECOND PLACE IN THE BUCKING CONTEST AT THE PENDLETON ROUND-UP" " THE WORST "OUTLAWS" WILL SOMETIMES RISK THEIR OWN NECKS BY DELIBERATELY A SCHOOL FOR ACTORS AND A BETTER THEATRE FOR THE PUBLIC Had this happened in everyday life the offender would have been made to suffer in some manner for his unpardonable vulgarity. It really happened on the stage of one of the Broadway theatres, where an English society drama was being produced by a company of American players. The audience was forced to swallow the insult to its intelligence, knowing that the actor was guilty of no other sin than a total ignorance of the character he was attempting to portray. In an interview published about that time I took occasion to say that not many of our younger American actors know how to speak English correctly, or even how to address a lady. This assertion aroused a storm of protest, particularly among those who do most of their studying in the bar rooms of the theatrical clubs. One of the voices loudest raised in protest be MR. DAVID BELASCO AT WORK ON THE PRODUCTION OF A PLAY longed to the young man whose offense I have described. There should be no position on the stage for actors of this type, at least there should be no position for them until they have learned that it requires more than grease paint and clothes to make a gentleman, even back of the footlights. It is my ambition to do something to improve the position occupied by the actor- something that will bring nearer the day when the stage will take rank as a serious profession, the equal of law or literature. If I can do that I shall be satisfied that the thirty years I have given to things dramatic have not been wasted. Ability and intelligence, character and power of application: these are the ingredients that go to make for success MR. BELASCO CONGRATULATING MISS FRANCES STARR AT A DRESS REHEARSAL with the actor as with others. The demonstrated that I am on the right road, greatest of all is character. and I have assurances that other and wealthier men will then take up the burden. I believe the actor should be educated for his profession just as carefully and just as thoroughly as the young law student is prepared for the legal profession. With that idea in mind I have decided to try to start some ambitious young persons along the right road. I shall establish a class with the very best of teachers-two classes in fact, one for men and another for women paying all expenses, and giving my own time and thought. I expect that the cost to me for the first two years will be from $40,000 to $45,000. At the end of that time I believe that I shall have My first move was to cause to be published in various papers an advertisement of which the following is a copy: Well educated, ambitious young men desirous of entering the theatrical profession write to David Belasco, 115 West Forty-fourth street, enclosing photograph. Those averse to hard work need not apply. It was in explaining the meaning of my advertisement that I said that in casting a play nowadays it is extremely difficult MR. BELASCO AND HIS COMPANY GIVING A PLAY ITS FIRST READING SHOWING ONE OF THE SCREENS ON WHICH MR BELASCO PINS MEMORANDA OF NEW IDEAS WHEN STAGING HIS PLAYS, AND SOME SPECIMENS OF HIS REMARKABLE COLLECTION OF MEMENTOES OF THE THEATRE to find young men who know how to speak English correctly, who know how to walk, how to address a lady. And it is true. The young actor of the present generation seems to think he can not be taught anything. He thinks only about the salary that he believes he should receive, and nothing about the stage as a profession. He plays a small part and then he joins a theatrical club where he spends much of his time. He does not take the trouble to improve his mind in any manner. He knows nothing and cares nothing about what is going on around him. He is too |