Chapter 21

Mr. Thomas A. Wise and MissJanet Beecher played the principalparts.September.28. At Ford’s Opera House, Baltimore, Md.,he presented (first time anywhere) the Englishversion by Leo Ditrichstein of “ThePhantom Rival,” by Ferenc Molnar, Mr.Ditrichstein appearing in it as a star. (ThisEnglish version was, originally, called“Sascha Comes Back.”)October.6. First New York presentment of “ThePhantom Rival” was effected at the present(1917) Belasco Theatre.1915.January.18. For the first time in America, Belasco presented,at the Belasco Theatre, Washington,D. C., Edward Knoblauch’s play of “Marie-Odile,”Frances Starr acting the central part.26. First New York performance of “Marie-Odile,”at the Belasco Theatre.March.29. Belasco, in association with Charles Frohman,revived “A Celebrated Case” inBoston.April.5. At the Playhouse Theatre, Wilmington,Del., Belasco presented (first time anywhere)the farce of “The Boomerang,” by WinchellSmith and Victor Mapes.7. Belasco and Frohman presented “A CelebratedCase” at the Empire Theatre, NewYork.26. At the Parsons Theatre, Hartford,Conn., he produced a play by Henry IrvingDodge, called “The Love Thought,”—MissJanet Beecher and Hardee Kirkland playingthe principal parts in it.June.28. At the Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City,N. J., he presented (first time anywhere) aplay called “The Girl,” by George Scarborough.(This was afterward renamed “Oklahoma,”and, again, “The Heart of Wetona”:see January 22 and February 29, 1916.)Lenore Ulric playedWetona, the chief part.August.10. First New York performance of “TheBoomerang” was given at the present BelascoTheatre.December.12. At the Playhouse, Wilmington, Delaware,Belasco first produced his drama of “Van DerDecken,” with David Warfield in the characterof that name.1916.January.14. Lila Longson began an action at lawagainst Belasco, Winchell Smith, and VictorMapes, in the District Court of the UnitedStates for the Southern District of NewYork, alleging that their play of “The Boomerang”is an infringement of her play of “TheChoice.”20. Belasco presented “Oklahoma” (first called“The Girl,” later renamed “The Heart ofWetona”) at the Stamford Theatre, Stamford,Conn.February.29. In association with “Charles Frohman”(Company), he presented “The Heart ofWetona” at the Lyceum Theatre, for thefirst time in New York.April.17. Belasco produced (first time anywhere) afarce by Roi Cooper Megrue called “TheLucky Fellow” (afterward renamed “SevenChances”), at the Apollo Theatre, AtlanticCity, N. J.May.At the Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City,he produced (first time anywhere) a playcalled “The Treadmill” (later renamed“Alias”), made by Willard Mack on thebasis of a story by John A. Morosoentitled “Alias Santa Claus.”August.7. “Seven Chances” was produced for thefirst time in New York, at the Cohan Theatre.September.19-21. Suit of Lila Longson against Belascoet al.was tried before Judge William B.Sheppard, who held that there was noinfringement and dismissed the complaint.25. Entry of final judgment against Lila Longsonand dismissal of her complaint, upon themerits.October.16. Belasco produced, for the first time anywhere,“The Little Lady in Blue,” by HoraceHodges and T. Wigney Percyval, at theBelasco Theatre, Washington, D. C.28. Belasco planted two juniper trees, in theShakespeare Garden, Cleveland, Ohio, withpublic ceremonies.December.22. First New York performance was givenof “The Little Lady in Blue,” at the BelascoTheatre.1917.February.5. Belasco presented “Alias” (formerly “TheTreadmill”) at the Belasco Theatre, Washington,D. C.March.31. —th and last New York performance of“The Little Lady in Blue” occurred at theBelasco Theatre.April.5. Belasco presented (first time anywhere) aplay by John Meehan, called “The VeryMinute,” at the Playhouse, Wilmington,Del., Mr. Arnold Daly then first appearingunder his management as a star.9. “The Very Minute” was acted for the firsttime in New York, at the Belasco Theatre.Failure.May.ADDED BY J. W.7. Last performance of “The Very Minute,”and close of the Belasco Theatre, for the1916-’17 season.July.3. Belasco officiated as one of the pallbearersat the funeral of William Winter.August.25. Belasco produced a play entitled “PollyWith a Past,” written by George Middletonand Guy Bolton and revised by himself, at theStamford Theatre, Stamford, Conn.,—presentingMiss Ina Claire in the central part.—Atrial performance of this play was givenat Atlantic City, N. J., June 11.September.6. The first New York performance of “PollyWith a Past” occurred at the Belasco TheatrOctober.3. Belasco produced the melodrama called“Tiger Rose,” by Willard Mack, at theLyceum Theatre, New York: trial performanceof this play was given at the ShubertTheatre, Wilmington, Delaware, April 30,1917. Preliminary tour began, September21, at

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