Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1913, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “We did one act for Mrs. Leslie Carter, an Old English Garden.” That same year Carter starred in “a magnificent revival” of her great success ‘Zaza’ with “fine scenic equipment and a strong cast’” (Lansing State Journal, Michigan, 1 April 1913, page 6). This was likely the scenery delivered by Sosman & Landis studio.
In 1913 Carter’s name was also mentioned in regard to theater superstitions. An article in “Journal Gazette” reported, “Theatre Folk Are Superstitious” noting, “Mrs. Leslie Carter always raps three times on the wings before walking on stage, and she thinks the precaution will banish all evil influences” (Journal Gazette, Mattoon, Illinois, 4 July 1913, page 7).
Mrs. Leslie Carter was born Caroline Louise Dudley in Kentucky, and the exact date of her birth various greatly between sources. Carter’s acting career began in earnest after a scandalous divorce. She selected life on the stage instead of life with her first husband. By 1906, Mrs. Leslie Carter married a second time, yet under her maiden name. On July 14, 1906, the “Portsmouth Herald” announced:
“Queer Ceremony Performed Here. Mrs. Leslie Carter Becomes A Bride. Famous Actress Marries a Young New Yorker.”
The article reported, “One of the most mysterious marriages ever celebrated in this city was quietly performed shortly after half-past eleven on Friday forenoon by Rev. Henry Emerson Hovey, Pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church. According to all evidence at hand, the bride was Mrs. Leslie Carter, the famous American actress. The groom was William L. Payne of New York, who calls himself a student. The Lady was married under the name of Caroline L. Dudley and gave her age as thirty. She told the clergyman she had never been married before.” The article described the families, “Payne’s birthplace was given as Elmira, N. Y., and his father’s name as Alfred T. Payne. The occupation of the father was stated to be that of a painter, his age fifty-eight and his present residence New York City. The elder Payne was born in England. The maiden name of young Payne’s mother was Frances Pelton and her birthplace was Rollins, Pa. She is fifty-one years old. ‘Miss Dudley’s’ father was Austin Dudley, formerly a Chicago lawyer. His age was sixty years at the time of his death and the license states that he was a Kentuckian by birth. The maiden name of the mother was Caroline Stevens and she was born in Lexington, Kentucky. Her present age, according to the license, is fifty-five years.”
Of the actress, the article noted, “Mrs. Carter was born on a plantation only a short distance from Lexington, Ky. Her father was of English parentage and her mother was a member of a prominent Kentucky family. When she was sixteen, her father died and her mother was soon afterward stricken with what was believed to be a fatal illness. In this crisis of her career, the young girl was married to Leslie Carter, a wealthy Chicagoan and a friend of her family, that she might not be without a protector. Contrary to the expectation, Mrs. Dudley recovered and her daughter’s marriage proved unhappy. A separation of husband and wife followed and later came divorce.
Mrs. Carter was left without means and after considering her situation, sought employment on the stage. After many futile attempts, she secured an interview with David Belasco and the great manager recognized at once that he had met one who desired to be a great actress. Mrs. Carter was given her first opportunity in a play called, ‘The Ugly Duckling,’ written for her by Paul Potter, who dramatized ‘Trilby.’ This was at the Broadway Theatre, New York, on Nov. 10, 1890. Her first venture was a doubtful success, but she was brave and her manager believed in her ability. There were years of discouragement and partial success and finally, in 1898, Mrs. Carter appeared in ‘Zaza.’ Since then, her career has been one of continual triumph.”
Despite the obvious obstacles and scandals listed above, Carter became known as the “Bernhardt of America,” especially achieving fame for her roles in “The Heart of Maryland” (1895), “Zaza” (1898), “Madame Du Barry” (1901), and “Andrea” from 1895-1905. In 1906, the same year as her marriage to Payne, she broke with Belasco. This proved to be a fatal move for her career as it began a downwards spiral. Payne was often her leading man and later managed her business affairs, another unfortunate move for the actress. As her career began to fizzle, Carter turned toward silent movies and supporting roles on Broadway. She passed away in 1935 of heart disease and is buried in Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. Her theatrical career was fictionalized in “Lady With Red Hair,” portrayed by actress Miriam Hawkins in 1940. Her Payne was a technical adviser for the film.
Maurice Barrymore, father of Lionel, John and Ethel Barrymore, once recalled one entertaining story about Carter. The elder Barrymore was the leading support to Carter when she appeared in David Belasco’s production “The Heart of Maryland.” Barrymore told the following story about the Kansas City production to a local newspaper: “ In the big third act Barrymore, the hero, was in the hands of designing villain, who had caught him off guard. Two rookies bound Barrymore’s hand and the villain, left alone with his prey, taunted the hero. It was Barrymores “business” to squirm and to wail. ‘Oh, if my hands were free,’ he would repeat several times, as he tried vainly to break the rope which held him fast. The villain would approach and snap his fingers right under Barrymore’s nose. ‘Loosen my hands, you devil!’ Barrymore would exclaim. One night at this great and exciting moment in the scene Barrymore had just finished his dare to the villain to loosen his hands when the traditional gallery god yelled out in a sharp, clear voice: ‘Why don’t you kick him in the shins, Barry; your feet ain’t tied.’ Barrymore cursed that part from that moment until his dying day” (The Herald, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 6 Feb. 1913, page 3)
To be continued…
