Item Info

Publication Date: 3/26/1915
Media Type: House Organs
Source: Theatre Collection
Notes:

Mr. Spencer is a native of the “Badger State,” born and raised in the city of Milwaukee. The University of Wisconsin in his Alma Mater and Delta Upsilon, the Greek letter fraternity whose pin he fondly wears. He is the grandson of Platt R. Spencer, author of the world-famous Spencerian System of Penmanship, the first business educator of this or any other country, a poet of no mean ability and an orator of force and power, a worthy descendant of Edmund Spencer, the early English poet of “Fairie Queen” fame and on the lineal tree with Herbert Spencer, the noted philosopher and psyshologist (psychologist). 

   Mr. Spencer’s father, Robert Closson Spencer, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been a business educator for over sixty years, the founder of the great system of Spencerian Business Colleges. His name is also closely linked with that of Alexander Graham Bell (the inventor of the telephone) in the worthy, philanthropic battle to bring the deaf mutes to read the lips and speak, in free schools, under city, state and national auspices. 

   Leaving college, where he specialized in studies helpful to an artistic career, young George enlisted as a member of Madame Modjeska’s company, as juvenile man in her great and varied Shakesperian and Classic repertoire. Three years under her banner was, indeed, an enviable schooling for a boy fresh from the ranks of the aspiring amateur. For two years Mr. Spencer played Sir Edward Mortimer in Schiller’s immortal “Mary Stuart” to the Madame’s hapless queen, a role made famous in this country by Maurice Barrymore, Otis Skinner and Joseph Haworth, and various other equally important roles. 

   Since his first fine schooling Spencer has appeared as leading man with such prominent  stars as Kelsey and Shannon, Henrietta Crossman, Cecelia Loftus, Virginia Harned, William H. Crane, Francis Wilson, Henry Miller, Bertha Kalich, — several non-star productions, featured in “Lost River,” “The Devil” and four of his own stock companies. 

   The Motion Picture Play is not entirely new to Mr. Spencer, as he appeared in the leading role in the first Feature Cast Picture, by special engagement, produced by the Edison Company some four years ago, — “A Victim of Bridge,” by Richard Harding Davis; also Don Jose in “Carmen” with Pilar Moran; “The Rival Sculptors,” “Our Mutual Friend” and several other notable reels, under the direction of Ashley Miller and J. Searle Dawley, while appearing in New York in his own profession on the stage. 

   Mr. Spencer has always been athletically inclined: — football, baseball, tennis and hockey in college; — a good horseman, a splendid swimmer and a graceful, fancy skater. He says he hasn’t tried flying nor flirted with the mermaids in a submarine yet — Oh! Well, wait and see. 

   Anyway, the point of all this is, Spencer is now a Lubinite at the Home Studio, Philadelphia, appearing as Leading Man with Barry O’Neil’s “All Star Lubin Company” in five and six reel Feature Masterpieces, having to his credit, to date, such notable characterizations as Richard Brewster (the old lawyer) in “The Third Degree”; John Burkett Ryder (The Lion) in “The Lion and the Mouse”; John Emerson in “The Gamblers”; John Stedman (the labor sympathizer) in “The Daughters of Men”; Jules Beaubien (the young Canadian hero) in “The Wolf”; Sir Isaac Jacobson (the kindly, generous Jew) in the “The House Next Door”; Lord Desborough (the husband) in “The Sporting Duchess” Billy Bolton (football star) in “The College Window”; the District Attorney in the play of that name and is now doing the final scenes in the title role of “The Evangelist,” with Ned Warden in “The Climbers” to follow. 

   Those who have followed Mr. Spencer upon the “Screen” will know, from the above list of Film achievements, that he is an artist at “Make UP” as well as characterization, equally at home in the man of middle age, the force and dignity of advanced years, or the lightness, impetuosity and charm of boyish, romantic youth. 

Call Number: Lubin - Bulletin II:3