Harry Hines
comedian /1910s-1920s
- Brooklyn (NY) Chat / October 2, 1920 (pg.21) - - Washington (DC) Evening Star / November 10, 1920 (pg.10) - - Shreveport (LA) Journal / December 20, 1920 (pg.8) -
Harry Hines headlining at Loew's Metropolitan's 58th Variety.
I was approached by a young reporter, from the towns leading newspaper He asked
me for something interesting concerning vaudeville and stage life. I was seated
in the lobby of a hotel at the time, and nearby were Charles Irwin and Bobby O'Neil.
I thought I would have some fun with the reporter, so I told him a tale about losing
valuable jewelry. He didn't fall for that old one and suggested that I give him
something new. My colleagues, in a kidding way, suggested: Tell him how theatre
audiences like suggestive material, Harry ! I picked up the cue and thoughtlessly
unraveled hideous tales of how the majority of audiences liked blue material and
suggestiveness in all forms. I kept a straight face , and apparently convinced my
interviewer that I was serious. The- other artists had to put their hands to their
mouths to muffle their laughter .
This reporter evidently knew he was being kidded, so to even the score with me he
quoted me the following morning in a lengthy article that caused a lot of people both
on and off the stage to shun me. In each city I played thereafter I was greeted with
glaring headlines and a photo of myself with a story copied from the original. I then
began to realize what a terrible error I had made. Dramatic editors throughout the
country laid for me with brutal comment. I wrote letters denying the story to all of
the newspapers but I was marked and I got all that Was coming to me and more. When I read
an editorial in your paper recently pointing out the folly of kidding reporters, it
certainly hit home. My advice to other artists is to weigh their words when they speak
for publication arid to use plenty of tact. Needless to say, I was followed by that
story throughout my tour of the western Loew circuit, but in spite of that the managers
treated me wonderful, because they saw for themselves that I didn t use filthy material
on the stage. Mr. Lubin, of the Loew offices, was extremely kind and wrote me a letter
advising me to be more careful, and assured me that he knew I had made a mistake which
I regretted. I am grateful to him and also to Mr. E. F. Albee, who also wrote to me in
a considerate manner . Mr Albee did not scold or reprimand me. He advised me exactly
as my own father would have done. Every sentence carried a beautiful thought. He explained
how himself and other executives and managers were striving to better vaudeville and how
he has tried to please everybody by giving them a square deal. He said he earnestly hoped
every vaudeville artist would cooperate with him in this movement. He did not publish my
letter. It was purely confidential, for he did not want to add to my embarrassment by
letting the vaudeville world know of my silly and tactless conversation with that reporter.
But I wish you would publish what I have told you because I want every artist to know that
men like Mr. Lubin and Mr. Albee are broadminded and have the kindliest and most paternal
feeling for the artists. They are really too patient with a lot of us who are more or less
inclined to be carefree and clown everywhere we go, in trains, hotels, restaurants and
other public places. As a result the laymen pictures us wrongly.
I don t mind confessing that Mr. Albee s letter guides me every day. He showed me where I
was wrong, but he did not antagonize or threaten me. He told how the managers had spent
huge sums to build beautiful new theatres and what has been accomplished in the last few
years to better conditions for the artist. His last line brought a lump to my throat. It
convinced me that I was dealing with an unusually considerate man. This line which I shall
always treasure was : I assure you, Hines, that neither this office or myself will harbor
any ill feeling towards you. My tour of the Loew circuit was not only profitable, but pleasant,
barring, of course, the one incident which I have referred to. 1 have learned my lesson. I am
not the silly fellow I used to be. I have seen the serious side of life and I am acting
accordingly. To be a success on the stage artists must radiate refinement and politeness.
There is no reason why the same traits should not be displayed outside the theatre. My advice
is to be a gentleman at all times. Listen to the advice of the chosen leaders. From them we can
learn much. They have our interests at heart.
January 16, 1932 ...Harry Hines continues as master of ceremonies.
comes from the mill and that mill has the ability to grind out fun."
B.F. Keith Theatre / Washington, DC / March 22, 1920