The Register-Leader, July 19, 1920
Joseph R. Garry of New York City, formerly of Marietta, who has won considerable fame as an actor, is in the city making a visit between seasons with his sisters, Mrs. E. S. Haley and Miss Ella Garry, and his brother, Will Garry. He will be here for about two weeks.
On his return to Gotham, Mr. Garry will prepare to take one of the prominent parts in a new play, "The Proper Spirit," a comedy drama, which will be presented under the direction of Mrs. Henry B. Harris at either the Fulton or Hudson theatre. Only last week the play was given a try-out in Atlantic City, where its success was assured.
Mr. Garry attained the height of popularity and fame in the role of Tim Donohue in "The 13th Chair." Theatre-goers of Marietta recall this character in "The 13th Chair," which played here at the Auditorium a season or two ago. The police inspector in this play will be recalled as a great character and combining this fact with the praise the critics accorded Mr. Garry in this role, one finds evidence aplenty of the former local man's ability as an actor.
The late George P. Goodale in the Detroit Free Press, speaking of Mr. Garry as Tim Donohue, had the following to say:
"Mr. Joseph R. Garry plays Detective Tim Donahue, who dominates the situation through two entire acts. It is a remarkable example of the power of earnest acting to rouse and sustain interest. Mr. Garry is a student, a thinker, who gives reason for his professional doings, and whose work, therefore, is entitled to the fullest examination and incidentally our warm admiration. There is a touch of grim yet whimsical humor in the detective's admission, or proclamation, after having exhausted the resources of his trade, that he is 'a damned fool.'"
Mr. Luchs, manager of the Auditorium theatre, at the time he booked "The 13th Chair" for Marietta, sought to bring Mr. Garry's company here, but was unable to get it at that time.
Joe Garry spent his boyhood days here and he is back renewing old acquaintances. He has been on the stage for about 18 years, playing in many big productions during this period. Mr. Garry played here in "The Clansman" a number of years ago. It was the only play in which he ever played in Marietta. Last season Mr. Garry played in the musical version of "Brewster's Millions," and also in "Polly With A Past," a comedy.
In "The Proper Spirit," Mr. Garry will play the part of a secret service man. The character is very similar to the one he interpreted in "The 13th Chair."
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| Joseph R. Garry (left) and Ernest Truex in "The Fall Guy," Source: "The Haberdasher," May 1925. |
Note: Joseph Richard Garry, 1877-1954, was the son of Anthony and Maria Hennessy Garry, Irish immigrants who lived on Butler Street in Marietta. Joe Garry is buried in Marietta's old Saint Mary Cemetery.
