It was as a juvenile lead that he first came to prominence, and he only gradually achieved his unrivalled position as the exponent of strong and concentrated passion.
After all, he cannot go on being the juvenile lead for ever.
Realising he was not a tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type, he decided to specialise in comedy.
He then started a stage career as juvenile lead in smaller theatres.
He continued his theatre work throughout the war, playing character parts in touring comedies and eventually achieving a juvenile lead in 1920.
