Found and Lost

By Jacob Wolf

When I was in high school, I decided I wanted to be an actor. I had been in several high school productions and I thought I was very good.

In Philadelphia, we had a paper called the Evening Bulletin. One day, while reading, I noticed on the first page of the second section, a large picture of a gentleman named Richard Hernden. He had been a prominent Broadway producer. The paper mentioned several prominent actors he had been associated with. Among them were Eva Le Gallinee and Norma Shearer. He was opening a dramatic school in Philadelphia. My mind flashed; this is the place to go.

I auditioned for Mr. Hernden, and I was accepted. The school produced several plays, and I usually had the lead, but I must admit, there was very little competition.

One day, while rehearsing, a gentleman came into the room and watched us perform. After he left, I asked Mr. Hernden who he was. Mr. Hernden told me he was William Liebling of the Liebling Wood theatrical agency, one of the most prominent agencies on Broadway. I later learned that Marlon Brando was under contract with them.

About a week later, Mr. Hernden asked me to sign a contract. The contract stated that Mr. Hernden was to receive 5% of my yearly earnings. I showed the contract to my father and he told me to ask Mr. Hernden to change the contract to read that he was to receive 5% of my yearly earnings over $100,000. I repeated what my father had said and Mr. Hernden replied, "That would be fine." He made the change and I signed the contract.

About a week later Mr. Hernden told me he had made an appointment for me with Mr. Liebling in his New York office. So, full of delight, on the appointed day, I boarded a train for New York. I took a cab to Mr. Liebling's office. Shortly after I arrived, I was ushered into his office. He was seated behind a large desk. I stood, facing him. His first words were, "What does your father do?"

I was startled. I wondered what he was talking about. I told him my father operated moving picture theaters. He said, "Well, why don't you go into that. That's show business."

I could not speak. I left his office, went into a nearby fire escape and cried.

About the Author: Jacob Wolf grew up in Philadelphia, Pa., and now lives in Riverdale, New York. He worked as an engineer and sales manager for Philco, and then went into business. He coached drama, and was guest actor at the Hedgerow Theater in Rose Valley, Pa.