FAMOUS DOG ACTORS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 14

FAMOUS DOG ACTORS

Retirement of “Flush” It is extremely doubtful if any actress has achieved such a success in any dramatic play as did Katharine Cornell in “The Barretts of Wimpolo Street” in America. She was considered first choice for production of the play in France and in Australia and New Zealand, but she declined the honour of appearing as Elizabeth Barrett Browning outside her own United States. She was even invited to star in. the Hollywood film, and production was delayed a year in order to induce her to consent to a screen appearance. No amount of money could tempt her, however, so Norma Shearer captured the hearts of the cinema world instead.

Katharine Cornell gave her final performance in “The Barretts’’ in New York on March 16 last, at the Martin Beck Theatre, New York. Taking the final bow and sharing the farewell honours with her on that occasion was the cocker spaniel “Flush,” who had appeared with her in all of the 707 performances of the play. He had appeared in the film without upsetting his play schedule—there was no substitute for “Flush! ” His mistress does not expect to act “The Barretts” again for several years, and “Flush,” now five years old, will be a feeble “old man” dog by that time. He is none too strong in any case—play-acting is strenuous work—and he wants to get away from it all. So he has retired, with his fame ringing in his ears.