  What an extraordinary person is sunny George Cohan! Fancy a young man, in the early thirties, owning his own playhouse, performing there in the leading rÔles, the author of his play and lyrics, the composer of the music, associate manager of two New York theatres, of another in Chicago, and with a chain of suburban houses! This is making history with a vengeance. The position he occupies in the theatrical world has never been duplicated and I doubt if it ever will be. With all his well-deserved success he bears himself with the modesty of a well-bred boy. To be privileged to meet him in private life is a joy and delight. You will find him never obtrusive and always gentle and respectful to his elders. One would never imagine him a being of so much power. He fascinates me every time I meet him and I always feel an inclination to put my hands upon his shoulders and just listen to him talk. His keen sense of humor, combined with his calm demeanor, always appeals to me. How proud his parents must feel to be the authors of such a fascinating book as Georgie Cohan! (I always call him Georgie. I can't help it. I love the lad for his wonderful versatility.) How I enjoy the attempts of some of the critics, in their futile efforts to slur this man of success and to But nature is most discerning in bestowing her mantle of genius. She weaves carefully and adroitly and is conservative with her gifts. She wove her finest for clever Georgie and then destroyed the pattern. She has no more to give. Mr. and Mrs. Cohan, I congratulate you! You have given the world a genius! Hats off to Georgie Cohan! It was while I was appearing at Ford's Theatre in Baltimore in 1911 that Georgie sent me a message which read as follows:— "I am giving a supper in your honor next Wednesday night at Friars Club House. Wire me that you will be there." Immediately I replied. This is what I wrote:— "I am there now, my dear Hector, and will eat nothing until I meet you Wednesday at the Friars Club House. Have invited my audience to join me. He seems an awfully nice chap. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, but don't you dare wish me one, believe me always thine, Ralph Goodwin." Georgie insisted on addressing me as Mr. Goodwin for years after he had reached a star's zenith. When I asked him to drop the formality he said he simply could not do it. Thereupon I suggested we get around it. If he couldn't call me Nat maybe he wouldn't stick on Ralph. And I in turn have ever since dubbed him Hector—when we meet! |
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