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Whether Master Rooney is also chugging off to greater things remains to be seen. Because he is a manlier kid than any other who ever achieved stardom, his passage into maturity may not, as it has to others, mean his passage into professional oblivion. It is not conceivable that Jackie Cooper or Freddie Bartholomew might bloom into a Spencer Tracy. It is conceivable that Mickey might. If he does avoid the fate of Jackie Coogan, et al., he will have his Mom and the old theatrical trunk in which he was raised to thank, as well as his rough-&-tumble personality and physique. In fact, he does not like so much attention to be paid to his personality.
Some time ago a studio visitor asked him if he was as tough offstage as on. "Sir," said Mickey, "I am an actor!"