Given First Role When Five, Theater Is Nothing New To Miss Graf

By Don H. Totten

Beacon Journal Canton Bureau

330 Cleveland Av. N.W.

Canton, Nov. 11

Like mother, like daughter is an age-old adage followed by many people in the show business but in Canton, currently playing at the Grand Opera house, there is a new angle on the old saying. It is like grandmother, like granddaughter.

The granddaughter is the beautiful and charming Miss Bette Kinsey Graf, who is playing the third generation of leads in her family. Her grandmother played leads back in 1894, and then Madge Kinsey, Bette’s mother, took over the tradition. Finally, Miss Bette stepped into her mother’s shoes, figuratively speaking.

Bette, and she is very, very particular that you spell her name correctly, is one of the most charming young actresses on the stock company stages today. She recently passed her 18^th birthday, but the theater is nothing new to Bette. It is all she has ever known in her life, outside of the time she spent in school.

Attended 15 Schools

Miss Graf graduated last spring from Fostoria high school after attending 15 different schools.

The Kinsey Komedy Kompany was formed 44 years ago by M.L. Kinsey. Bette’s grandfather. He played Ohio and on occasions branched out into nearby states.

In 1905, Baby Madge, the mother of Bette and who now directs the Madge Kinsey Players, at the age of 5 became, according to Billboard, national show paper, the youngest leading lady in the world.

That was the first time Madge was featured as the star in a speaking role. However, Madge recalls that she played on the stage when the only two words she knew were "momma and poppa." Madge said her father taught her to take her cue to say "momma" by squeezing her hand once and when he squeezed it twice she was to say "poppa."

 First Role in 1926

Bette got her first real taste of the laughs and heartaches of the theatrical business with a leading role in 1926. Bette was just 5 when her mother handed her the leading role in "Dottie Ray." Her first performance was in Findlay, Ohio.

In 1932 Bette played Mary Morgan in "The Nights in a Barroom." Her next role, for an entire season, was "Pollyanna" and then "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm."

In 1934, Mr. And Mrs. Harry Graf, parents of Bette, decided to start their own company and play the territory which Mrs. Graf’s father had played throughout Ohio. Eventually, Bette replaced her mother as the troupe’s leading lady.

Each morning, at 10 o’clock, there is a rehearsal and everyone must be on time or be fined. Bette comes in for her share of tongue lashings and fines. Much of her time off is spent studying her lines or selecting her wardrobe for the next presentation—there are two different plays given weekly. What clothes Bette cannot buy her mother makes for her.

There are eight people in the cast which Bette heads. They are Greg Rouleau, leading man; Jo Ann Davis, Madge Kinsey, Harry Graf, George Colbert, "Uncle Dave" Hemminger and Otto "Toby" Imig. When the occasion arises, local talent is brought in for lesser roles.

When the show closes here this spring, Bette will take to the road to play week stands under tent where she will have to give a different performance each night.