The'Evcnina Ledger Amusement Section, Saturday; December 4, -J915
lEuemng
SleJrger
GUESS WHO CAME TO TOWN
AMUSEMENT SECTION
ES Address all communications to Dramatic Editor Evening Ledger,
Independence Square, Philadelphia.
THE AVERAGE NET PAID DAILY CIRCULATION OF THE EVENING
LEDGER FOR OCTOBER WAS 102,185.
PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1913
Drama From a Comedy Writer
IN sriTB or the Drama League and its notion that Hubert Henry Davies
wrote "The New Sin" so its current bulletin says the best play that the
author of Outcast" has written is "The Mollusc." And let people -who find
the play at the Broad just a bit uneven in merit remember that "The Mollusc"
was a comedy.
Mr. Davies has a cry real sense of. character. He exercises it most of the
time in "Outcast" just as 'well as lie did in "The Mollusc." The men friends of
the first act arc real and admirably differentiated, and Mlnam-of-lhe-streets
has her own sharp individuality. It is only a pity that this characterization can
hardly stand the strain of the dramatic events of the third and fourth acts.
People may do such things and remain people, but one is apt to forget their
reality in trying to figure out just why this emotional turmoil is genuine modern
drama. "The Mollusc," being comedy, had no violent action thrust into it to dis
turb the author's grasp of character.
Good, Just the Same
But, as the reviewer tried to indicate Tuesday, all this hypercnticism doesn't
alter the fact that "Outcast" is good, doubly good because it is bo long since
Philadelphia saw a serious drama and because the acting is so excellent.
A New Strain of Hero
Lack of space Tuesday prevented the reviewer from pajing his respects
to three deserving players, outside Miss Tcrguson, who made the acting what
it was David Powell, Warburton Gamble and J. Woodall Birdc. The last two
play their full-character parts with just the right pungency. Mr. rowell Is
deserving a -.cry hearty word of commendation for taking Charles Cherrj's
old part in a decidedly un-Cherrian manner. He plays with imagination and
inner fire. He doesn't insist for a moment on looking a handsome hero or strik
ing beautiful, gracious attitudes. Indeed, he plajs the part so earnestly in a
vein of naturalism tempered by the spiritual excitement of the character that
at times he isn't able to reach quite the finer effects he seeks. But in general
Mr. Powell succeeds in playing in a fresh vein and creating an impression that
he will some day count for a good deal on the stage.
America's Own Art Product
The Broad showed an English play and, except for Miss Ferguson, English
acting, both in the best strains of the successful London stage. The Forrest, on
the other hand, showed in "Stop! Look!! Listen!!!" an American art form,
ihc art form at its best.
"Whatever may be said about musical comedy in these 3 cars of its decline in
number and increase in individual quantity, it is the one thing that the Amer
ican theatre does superlatively well on its physical side. The "book" may or
may not be mirthful; "Hullo, Broadway!" decidedly was. the words of "Stop!
Look!! Listen!:!" arc only mildly diverting. The music is apt to cling pi city
close to ragtime and soar not at all. But the acting and production!
People
In the case of "Stop Look" Listen'"" one is seriously embirrassed
whether to classify the chorus under acting or production. As usual, they are
the piece de iersistcnce, the moving pictures of the occasion. But eight of them
insist on having real lines and carry them off well. As for the rest of the
people, consider the list: Gaby Desljs, peacocking all over the stage which is
about the only thing she can do, except advertise the show; Frank Lalor, always
quaint and mild even when he has so little material to work with as at present;
Dojle and Dixon, dancing; Harry Fox, .smiling; Joseph Santley, America's best
dancing man and politest plajer of musical comedy; Tempest and Sunshine with
their usual turn; Marion Harris in the direct Fanny Brice-Charlottc Greenwood
line; Harry Pilcer. who can fall downstairs and give every one the impression
that he takes himself seriously; Justine Johnstone, looking, oh. so refined,
and a little body named Helen Barnes, who is quite the prettiest bit .since
Julia Sanderson's early days and who ought to take Miss Johnstone's part
away from her. Upon Individuality, good looks, native humor, physical in
genuity or whatever distinguishes each person, is grafted musical comedy
team play. That's the answer.
"Stop! Look!! Listen!!!" Is All the "Vogue"
But the chief thing American musical comedy is distinguishing itself for
these days is ingenuity and beauty of production. It is ;n these derivaties from
the first Ziegfeld "Follies of 1907" that the "new stagecraft" is reaching
our theatre. Joseph Urban has got his real opening in that way; and now
comes Robert McQuinn. With his aid "Stop! Look!! Listen!'!" has been
turned into a Vogue cover. Interiors and exteriors are in the pale sand
hues, the clay greens, blues and cerises of that magazine. Ever thing is
treated in a pale, fiat poster effect, even down to pldm tries and Hawaiian
beaches. The costumes, barring Gab's confections, are carried out in the
same shades and treatment. The whole effect is astonishing and altogether
delightful the most satisfjing production ct seen here.
The Better Half
The excruciating legs of Harland Dixon prompt the reflection. Why Is
the second part st a theatrical "team" always the better half? Ferhaps it's
a-deliberate plot tp utilize both contrast and climax; but, anyway, it's always
so. Think them up, they all come out the same: Dojle and Dixon Tempest
und Sunshine, Montgomery and Stone. Weber and Fields, Primrose and Dock
stader, Bickel and Watson, Conroy and Lemalrc. It's a safe bet that Damon
was only a runner-up.
Two Good Ones
"Buggies of Red Gap" contains two of America's most skilful comedians
They arc Ralph Herz and George Hassell. and they're so different that their
mutual excellence is a positive surprise. Mr. Herz is the more familiar of
the two. In the last two seasons Philadelphia has seen him struggling valiantly
with many .hopeless plays in his own delicious way. It has seen Mr
Hasscll almost as many times through "The High Cost of Lovin-" "Hands
Up" and "Ruggles." But it has no more than sampled his quality for where
Mr. Herz is always the same amusing person. Mr. Hassell can play a hundred
different parts. People who saw him in his stock dajs in Boston or Tilts
field. Mass, can testify to a Mercutio one week, a Cohan "heavy" the next
and a-light comedian of the drawing room the week after, all exceptional It
Is good news to hear that the Shuberts are to star him.
CUT-BACKS
This Week's Cream
The costumer is the man who puts the
"chic ' in "chicken."
"Stop! Look!! Listen!!!"
Three of a Kind
Susie (At telephone) Give me police
headquarters. 1 don't know the number,
I though it was a secret.
Aunt There was a big robbery in
Boston last nlsht.
Susie How many killed?
Aunt there was no one killed.
Susie Then there wasn't an lobborv
Thej don't give it up in Boston unless
you kill them.
Ottille to departing stranger)-Will
you leave jour name, sir?
King No. thanks. I may want to
use it again "A Full House."
The Press Agent
The man who makes thg stars shine
and the "shine" stars.
"Stop! Look!! Listen!!!"
The Serial
When the 1 main's in the picture
Ana crlns 01 M at tlie Klrl.
And the necessary iapers
Hae been Ftolcn Ij the churl!
Anl when grandad ccts the Bible.
Heading slowly through the 'text.
Then e undirstand the old stun"
is continued In our next
1'ot, Taste and Shears.
Film Formulas
Militarv stuff The country farmhouse.
West Point, self-sacrllicing parents,
exams, stolen papers, innocent victim,
disgrace and discharge, private In the
ranks, war. hero unearths spy-plot of
officer and saves nation. President thanks
s lf-sacnticing parents.
LETTERS
Objects to Last Act of "Outcast"
To the Dramatic Editor:
The other night I attended a perform
ance of "Outcast." by Henry Hubert
Davies and was struck bj what seemed
to me a most Inexcusable piece of ex
tremely bad construction in the play.
For the first three acts I was deeply
engrossed by the reality of the people
on the stage They rang true both In
words and action. Of course the latter
Is due to the ability of the cast, especially
Miss Ferguson and Mr. Powell, who Is
indeed a finished actor, but the credit for
the lines is Mr Davies". For three acts
the situations practically never grated on
my nerves.
The fourth act opened and seemed to
promise equally well, the part where
Geoffry waits for Valentine being verj
well done: but from the instant of her
entrance right up to the end of the plaj.
the whole structure we-akened and plausi
bility ceased. The lines are poor and the
resolution trite and unsatisfactory. Were
it not for flashes of reallj sinceie acting
b Powell and Miss Ferguson the play
would be ruined.
I believe the reason Is that Davies wrot"
a better play for three acts than he is
inhcrcntl capable of, and when it be
came necessarj to evolve a solution his
grasp on the situation weakened and he
failed to get the true significance of his
own line work
wii.i.tAM it. nnow.v.
Philadelphia, December C.
Farnum Now Defended
To the Dramatic I.ditor:
If Disappointed will see- Mr. Farniim in
the "Ilrokcn Ijivv" I think ho will tind
that "Itichard is himself again-' Hut
think "Curious" will have to revise her
opinion somewhat as "The Broken Law"
is like the majority of the Fox plajs.
You speak of two of the screen actors.
Messrs. Farnum and William", as being
successful stock actors. Will jou kindly
explain just what is a "stock actor"?
"i."ri:nns-ri:iv
J'hllade'pliia, December :, 1S13.
Questions and Answers
Intcrcsted-U) K-irly In 1915; (?) photo
graphed; (31 No 4; (5) vos. watch the
photoplay advertisements in the F.V e.vino
J.nnonii.
Ignorancc-(l) Yes. with Orrin Johnson;
(2) does movie work; (3) written for .Mr.
Farnum; 4); no; (3) Tom Trris in "The
Mjstcry of Edwin Drood."
L M D. Xo. Mary Pickford is not 111;
at least we have not heard of it. John
Barrj more was in the ".Man from
Mexico."
P. L. V. r.-iversham in "The Bight of
Way," (2) jes; (3) no, Orrin Johnson
was not killed In a fall while rehearsing.
Florence The question of costuming
depends greatlj on personal wishes and
originaht.
THE ACTON'S LITANY
13 ISerton Bralej. in October Green nook
From acmeles palore,
VWirrr we must wait and wait
For da)H und weeks nnd more,
llefore we Irarn our fate;
From of flee bojs whose Eaie
Doth ipiake and quiver us.
From roiiRhnerks and their wajs,
tiood Lord, deliver us!
Iom dramas that rehearse
For seven week or ko.
Then mcrt a quick reverse.
Itun half a week ami blow;
From Death VAth eer and jibes
That Miake and shiier us.
From all the knoeklnc tribes,
(ood IirU, deliver us!
From I'lajinc hurljque.
From tank.toun shows and such;
From all the horrors, too.
Of small-time vaudeville's rlutth;
From Minus that EO lo (.math
And neatl) flivver us.
Afar from home and rash,
(ood Lord, deliver usl
From dresslnr rooms that smell.
From stages old and damp,
From managers who jell
And srijM who pound and tlamp,
From critics who Invoke
Our roue carnivorous.
Hut most from coin? broke,
(iood lord, deliver us!
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