THE ACTRESS AND THE INTERVIEWER.
In no other country in the world does the interviewer's profession
thrive as in these United States. From the cabinet minister--nay, the
President himself--down to the common felon, all at different times are
liable to what is called "the pressure of the pumping process." Some
classes naturally like being interviewed, because all publicity adds
to their importance and notoriety. The politicians are a specimen of
this species. Then, again, another class regards the interview as a
legitimate means of advertising and of attracting public attention to
themselves and their doings. This class specially includes the dramatic
profession. An enterprising manager is always ready to introduce his
star to a journalist. Actresses and prima donne are to a great degree
public personages, and there is an insatiable desire on the part of
individuals to learn something of the foot-light favorites when they
have doffed the stage costume, rubbed off the paint and powder, and
become, as it were, for the time being an ordinary mortal. Hence, the
newspapers have catered to this popular inquisitiveness, and there is
scarcely an actress or sweet singer of note who has not passed the
ordeal of the interviewing fiend. Mr. Henry W. Moore, city editor and
dramatic critic of the St. Louis _Post-Dispatch_, who has done as much
interviewing in this line as any newspaper man in the Western country,
thus records his impressions of the operatic and dramatic celebrities
whom he has met:--
Adelina Patti, the _casta diva_, always receives the journalist
attired in handsome toilettes. Her marriage with the Marquis de Caux
rendered her aristocratic in manners, and her behavior always has in
it a tinge of _noblesse oblige_. There is an almost imperceptible
flavor of condescension in her tone, which, while courteous, is rather
formal. Since her separation from De Caux, La Marquise has become
more accessible, and both she and Nicolini are almost warm in their
effusions to journalists.
Christine Nilsson receives the interviewer pleasantly, but rather
dignified in manner. She is somewhat cold in conversation, but her
manners are always courteous. She talks little.
Etelka Gerster likes the interviewer. At first she regarded him as
an American curiosity, but having learned his value she began to
caress him. Gerster is not at all so sweet in private life as is
generally believed. The Hungarian prima donna is very passionate and
quick-tempered, and rules her husband, Dr. Gardine, with her whims.
In the presence of the journalist she conceals her claws beneath her
velvety hand and is sweetness itself. She talks much, dotes on America
and the American people, and all that sort of gush. Her dresses are not
particularly artistic, conveying the impression that she is slovenly in
this regard.
Clara Kellogg submits to an interview as if it were a regular business
transaction. Her mother is always present and will frequently make
suggestions. Miss Kellogg chats pleasantly, but she has no warmth in
her manner and no magnetism in her conversation.
Annie Louise Cary is what the journalists term a "jolly" girl. She
does not care a whit what she says or does. She will laugh and chat
as if the interviewer were an old acquaintance. She greets him with a
spontaneous warmth and familiarity which are pleasant to him. He may
ask the most inquisitive questions and she will reply with a shrewd
smile. Amiable, good-tempered and lively in disposition, she is a great
favorite with newspaper men.
Minnie Hauk is impetuosity personified. Minnie usually has a grievance
against her manager, and she will pour her woes into the journalist's
ears with remarkable loquacity. But Minnie has a mother. After the
interviewer is gone Minnie will send him a note or a messenger
requesting him in Heaven's name not to publish what she said or she
would be undone. Yet, the next time Minnie meets a night of the quill
she reiterates her woes and wrongs with the same impetuosity. She
is frank to a fault, and confides a good deal in human nature. Her
frankness has involved her several times in trouble. She is very apt to
become unreasonably jealous of any other prima donna in the troupe, and
thus always keeps the impresario in a state of nervousness.
Emma Abbott is the gusher _par excellence_. At the first glance of the
interviewer she rushes towards him, seizes him with both her hands,
is Oh, so, so glad to see him! She talks with great rapidity and
unceasingly. The scribe to her is an old familiar friend. She insists
on his calling on her, dining with her, etc., etc. Her friendliness is
overwhelming. She loads the journalist with favors, and almost embraces
him in the ardor of her affection.
Sarah Bernhardt has all the French warmth and demonstrativeness. She
is witty and vivacious in her conversation, really likes journalists,
and will spend a whole day with them. She never tires, and is a study
to the newspaper man. She is, however, not insensible to flattery.
Her curiosity about things American is very keen. Being a delightful
entertainer, she was very popular with the journalistic profession. She
is fond of inviting them to breakfast.
Clara Morris is an excellent subject for an interview. Miss Morris
always prepares to receive the representative of the press in some
picturesque attitude or pose. She has a fine perception of artistic
effect, and never loses sight of the fact that it is an interview, and
hence has an eye to what will appear in print. In her discourse she
aims to be epigrammatic and witty; likes to be novel and original. Her
knowledge is very varied, and she converses with ease and fluency. Her
face sparkles, and her reception is always extremely cordial.
Modjeska, otherwise the Countess Bozenta, is, perhaps, the best
educated actress on the stage. She is a gifted linguist, well
read in French, German, and English literature. She is a charming
conversationalist. In manners she is a perfect lady, without any stage
eccentricities. She is a delightful hostess, and dispenses hospitality
most gracefully. Her bearing is courteous but thoroughly friendly,
and there is the impress of _la grande dame_ in her demeanor. She is
partial to canine pets.
Adelaide Neilson captured every journalist who ever interviewed her.
She seemed to bend all her energies to captivate her visitor. Her
remarkable beauty was a powerful aid, and the charm of her manner was
irresistible. When necessary, she was almost a man of business, and
transacted her affairs with much ability. Poor Adelaide was too potent
a spell for ordinary interviewers to withstand, and she always carried
her point.
Mary Anderson is a great talker. Her mother and step-father, Dr.
Hamilton Griffin, are usually in attendance at an interview. She is
decided in her opinions, and expresses her views fearlessly, but her
remarks are superficial. She is lively and a regular tom-boy, and
hesitates at nothing.
Fanny Davenport, who is noted for her expensive costumes on the stage,
is the reverse in private life. She is nearly always in a _neglige_
attire and looks somewhat slovenly. Fanny is rather averse to the
interviewer, but when she submits she is as charming and pleasant a
hostess as can be imagined. But nevertheless she thinks it a decided
bore to entertain.
Maggie Mitchell is a whole-souled, generous woman, without a spark of
affectation. She is frank, pleasant, and amiable.
Lotta, vivacious Lotta, is very demure in the presence of her mother
and the journalist. She is quite unlike the Lotta of the stage. Mrs.
Crabtree joins in the conversation, which Lotta carries on in a very
subdued but friendly manner.
Janauschek is firm, solid, and determined in her convictions. She has
strong likes and dislikes. She talks with much emphasis.
Mrs. D. P. Bowers is a pleasant lady to visit. She is quite motherly in
her manners. Her conversation contains much shrewd, caustic depth.
Charlotte Thompson is intellectual. She possesses what the French call
_esprit_ and her conversation is always enjoyable.
Emma Thursby is an interesting lady. The queen of the concert-room
is vivacious, lively, and talkative. She is exceedingly fond of
representatives of the press.
Marie Roze is only an indifferent entertainer. She is very fond of pet
dogs. The effort is always visible in her conversation, and the visitor
feels that she believes she is merely doing a necessary duty.