Variety (December 1919)

mx^'^mi^isifsmmsmp^sswM ■"■" ' -— =,-.:-,-:. r -.- r .,-.- -•■'.^•■■..■-.^■■. ■-•;•■■• • . , - : - .:. •.■"'.:■.-.■■:- '■■-. ?^r: , 'v£?-.t : :9?72®^^ ' -"-: LEGITIMATE ;■■/ *T"'>: 5* & " I 5* to lad Uvor oa * Broadway platform. I* ■tort It Is s> thought that Um public, that would oome OB to see this man Banlns. sptt- ting at the characters who step la his way snd then' seeing tho sputum unwlped on thelf persons espectotetee Again, finally leaving, them to' wallow In their own mlaery. Tha ona redeeming feature of tho character la that. Be la not » liar and oven has the courage to Brand uhnself as ■ being below contempt. I»iria»i|iiw>>'l«i^l"tttHlri' wearing on tfca> legit, there will have to he►'» sharp line drawn to get it away from the brink of being risqus. Thla Sanlne haa a* habit of calling a spade a apade and In terma not too flattering. . ..*'.-.... Btep- . ABRAHAM UNCOLN. (Due to. the importance of tht* "' play, Variktt runt below both; re- ■ view* from Washington ond Atlan- ' tie dtp. The pteW did $18,000 worth ' of business in Washington alone.) * * ' " . Washington. D. C, Dec. S. A Chronicler • ■ • • ■ vf *}i* T Con t ne1 !?, Stone, a Farmer .... .Thomas Jrwin Cuffney, a Storekeeper... .Thomas J. Keogb. Busan, * Maid in Lincoln Home. ............ , • Flo-erice Johns Mrs. Lincoln v • • .Winifred Hnnley Mr. Lincoln .. ;..:;.Frank McOlynn Tucker. Chairman of Delegation Forrest Davis Hind, a Delegate ..Thomas Valden Price, a Delegate...- Duncan Cherry Macintosh, a Delegate.... .Penwood Batklns White, of the Southern Commission........ .•v . Duncan Penw»-den Seward ../,..:John .8. O'Brien Jennings, of the Southern Commission.... . • William R. Randall .Hawkins, First' Clerk........Conrad Cantxen Hay ......... v ....- Paul.Byron Messenger ................ J. Phillip Jerome f -.Salmon Chase .Frank B. Jamison H:;Montgomery Blair Ernest Bostwjck /■Simon Cameron .'..,...«.<..-..Herbert Curtis ST ' .1 ■ t{ ■ t ■ • »•» ■I; Caleb Smith Burnet Hook ; Gideon Welles- ..... ,Hn Goliath.Blow.. ; Mrs. Otherly ■ William, Cuatla ...... -Stanton -..I,.. : General Grant ..... Dennis, an Orderly.. William' Scott General Meade-».... : General Lee John Wllkea Booth. ' Doctor Joseph Reed .....William A. Norton ...:-. Alfred Moore ...Mar/. Home Morrison ..... .Jennie A. Eustace .......;.'....Fred Miller D a. v l d Landau ■ ...Albert Phillips Charles P. Bates Raymond Hackett ...... ••.-... .Frank Olnter .,,.James Durkln J. Paul .Jones Charles Brill m i'. .'.V So? Guests at Theatre:—Miss Robinson, Miss Grey. Mlsa Barrle. Miss Seymour, Miss Lang- ton, Miss Osborne. Mr. -Bowles, Mr. Glllday, Mr. Carroll. * . John Drink water has not written a great play, nor even a good play In "Abraham Lincoln," as . .presented Sunday night at.the Sbubert Oarrick. The play, however, doea hold Interest,' In fact grips at times, throughout th? two acts and six scenes, and la going-to be equally successful as a "money getter" In this country as It-baa been In England. . I • ' ■"?"..■ Mr.- Drinkwnter haa taken the life of Lincoln., i utilised many historic*! facts In a rather care- le»i manntri.ior Instance, the famous address • on the battlefield oTO«ttysburg. "A government of the-people, by the.'.people and for ^he people shall not. perish trom i thla earth," Is spoken fro mrhe box, at "Ford's, theatre on the night of the asbcsalnallon. That, of course, la permis- sible under the guise of "dramatic license," and the author. In a well-chosen speech at the close of the performance, stated that his effort had been totake the'many outstanding features of ' Lin coin's life and mole - them Into an interest- ing atory for the stage. In thla he haa succeeded. The play opens wtlh the Republican delegation offering the candl- dac> of their party .to Lincoln, and takes the auditor through the many conflicting incidents leading up to and through the Civil War to tha closing speech of the doctor .called to the theatre afer John Wilkes Booth's cowardly shot in the back, "He now belongs to the ages" The* first scene takes place In Lincoln's home. In" Springfield, III.. In 1860. followed by Seward'a room In Washington, wherein, the . rials at Fort . Svnter la introduced, bringing fo'th the men of Lincoln's cabinet a' picture that, with the exception of' the imaginary "Burnet Hook," which was excellently portrayed by Willlrm A. Morton, waa most realistic, the pictures u drawn by the various artists' portraying the roles bringing forth applause. Th 1 - scene is followed by a room In the White House nearly two years later Here " Is that .a, change should have bean made before •-«- aentlng It to the American public referring to the rather lengthy scene, of no value U the atory, of the negro talking With the white maid In the President's home. The negro was badly played by Fred Milter; It wasn't the American negro as we know him at all. and tha scene rather "grated." Thla episode Is utilized to bring out Lincoln's sorrow over the thousands dying each day on the battlefield. The fact was also brought out that they had profiteers In '61 as well as now. The second act la devoted to the cabinet room In Washington and sets forth, the conquering by Lincoln of the strong wills that opposed, him: secondly, s farmhouse near Appomattox, wherein Grant and Lee are Introduced and In vhich Mr. Drink water has .adhered closely to the historical accounts and pictures of the sur- render of the great Southern leader. A word .must be said here of the work of Albert Phillips and James Duridn, playing Grant and Lee, re- apeottrely. . Thetr makeups wars raenarkaWa, and although tha parts would be classed In the* ststoal parlance as "bits." William Harris, Jr., tha producer. Is to be complimented In the se- lection of these M well as tha Other members sf tha lengthy cast, which numbers 88 speaking 'The hist scene, as stated, shows tha outstda or the President's box and tha killing Of Lin- coln by John Wilkes Booth, • . Frank McOlynn as Lincoln presented tha form and face of Lincoln as wa know him. Frank Morse, the able critlo of the Washington Post. criticised Mr. McOlynn's performance In no uncertain tones. Mr. Morse summed up Ms characterisation as "a deolalmar." Wis I* true; ha waa antirely too "glib," and the ac- cepted Idea of the Lincoln of our bistort. ' was a man of sorrow and wistful ocas, a preoccupied man. This Mr. McOlynn did not present. The part should be played by such a.man as Forbes Robertson, who through his mastery of makeup could have presented, the- physical picture and/ given us the Lincoln we have come to know through history. Bur Mi McOlynn U accept- able in the role, and the Impression was gained that although he waa "letter perfect" aa to lines'he was still feeling hie way along In the presentation of the central character of the play. Lester Lonergan Is credited with the direc- tion of the piece and Is deserving of ranch credit, aa is also Livingston Piatt, who Is re- sponsible for the designing of the scenery, cos- tumes and decorations-.. There wem many ex- cellent performances a.Vl much'credit Is due Florence Johns, Winifred Hanley, Forrest Davis. John 8. O'Brien. William Norton, Mary Home Morrison. Jennie A. Eustace. Frank Olnter, James Durkin and Walter Connelly. ' A word for the stage manager, J. Paul Jones, Is also In order. Working under great difficul- ties, because of the limited space of the Gar-" rick stage, the shortness of the waits and tha smoothness of the performance reflects credit on-the holder of this important position, ' ' , : • Meakin. ABRAHAM UNCOLST, ,-- Atlantic City, Dee. s. Entirely unknown and unheard of. Frank Mo« Glynn stepped forth to. prominence here Thanks- giving as Abraham Lincoln In. the title part of the famous and much discussed John Drink- water play of that title, which had Its premier* at the Globe Thanksgiving Day The likeness to the famous President was realistic to almost detail, the tall lank figure, . the; strong nose and angular face, th* effective vole- and the awkward gesture being recog- nizable as characteristics th|tt .have mads Lin- coln known th the, present generations. On the opening night ' McOlynn lost much of the points of the Drink water conversation by a wrong inflection on hie' tinea, hot this will soon be overcome with the skilled direction of Lester Lonergan, who. Is staking the play.. There are B2 sneaking parts -to the play, which has been cast by William Harris. Jr., with In- finite regard for the real - characters Involved In th» period <1ra mat lied. Livingston Piatt has made solid sets with backgrounds of blue walls, against which are set doors or windows aa required. No foot- lights are used, producing a wholly artlstle ar- rangement for the six scenes of the play. ; Though history has been "telescoped," as Mr Drink water describes It. the play Is wholly dramatic In Its episodic periods and' maintains a remarkable American setting when Its Eng- lish origin Is considered. The first scene deals with the submission of the Republican nomination to Lincoln In his Illinois home, the second deals with the Presi- dential conflict between Seward and Lincoln over Fort -Sumter In this scene women callers \brtng hi pathos and comedy expressive of the attitude of those uncertain ' days The Cabinet meeting nf th* fourth scene produces the emancipation proc- lamation and the dramatic resignation of the flctltlnns character Hnok In the fifth there la remarkable reality Infected Into "Lincoln's visit to the camp or Grant at Appomattox, followed by the surrender of Lee In the final, sixth scene, Lincoln Is shot off stage In his box at Ford's, Immediately follow- ing a splendid lobby gathering with evening cos- tumes tvolcaj of the Rlvll War period. The most remarkable event of the evening, aside from the Lincoln impersonation, waa tha effective appearance of Walter Connelly as tha Chronicler. apeaVlng the splendid versea Intro- ducing each scene His elocution, studied. well rounded, clear as' a belt, la the finest ex- itmrile or good elocution heard on the English stage for many many months Another especially effective piece of acting waa given In the brief -appearance of Raymond HacVett as the boy who I*-About to be shot .by General .Grant's order . The short time he was on the singe gained htm enthusiastic ' applause . "Lincoln" is a big play, full or Interest and more drnmn than "> • ■ ■ previous reading seems to suggest. It looks to be a big event nf tha yea'- Bcheuer. JO AH OF ABKANSAW. v Boston, Dec t- Tolnatto Fontaine .........Helen Ford Bruce Hash. < ..Walter Bos ni a n An Bast Indian Pedlar........Bdosaxd cianeiu Julie Fontaine............... Jails Kelety Hug* Jonas... ..........Frank MoCormack Charlie Longford Buesall Mack A Mysterious Conspirator; ...Ben Greely Joan Bummers , Anna floymour Bffje Summers..............,.j... Minni e Milne Armand.,,,■ Jowerti Harton A Waitress '..Emily Russ I Beatrice" Summers Dsnoera ...........{ Ueorge Pemberton Icoccfa and A ma to Girls.-MarIetta O'Brien, Beatrice Bummers, Peggy Pelham, Irma Marwlck, Emily Russ, Memphis Russell, Mildred Rowland, Helen Noff, Rose Cardiff. Jose Carmen, Marvee Snow. Lil- lian Held, Elinors Cuilea, Gene Morrison, Berto Aldan. Boys.—Jaeque Stone. Leo Howe, George Fir- man, George Hale. Jack Mahao. Harry Cinton, Jack ZamboulL Just before the final curtain ef "Joan of Arkansaw," the musical comedy *t the Ma- jestic Monday night, when about a dozen very pretty, shapely girls garbed In whlto (on one aide) and garbed to resemble greatly. Mother Eve from the waist up on the other aide were oq the stage, a couple - Of women- told their mala escort- it was "time to go." And even though he took a chance on loath* his train to tha suburbs (a calamity la thla city), he re- plied. "I'll stay and meat you at the station." For such waa the charm of "Joan of Arkan- saw," such was the compelling Interest pro- duced by tha artlatlo and beautiful display of the feminine form In the' last act, and so. good had. been the ingredients trotted out for Judg- ment In the two acts of the show that nobody cared to leave, much less an evidently healthy male. i According to the billing of" the show program, th* title should properly appear, "JOAN .of ARKanaaw," and therein Is contained- the -cef- j erenc* to that famous French girl, therein Is furnished the flavor of .the war times, .which, is.. found throughout the first of the show and which la placed there in Just the proper quan- tity .that the different liquids appear In /a "Pousse-cafe." which - furnishes the- theme' {or one Of the prettiest song* In the show. Arthur Hammeratein ; presents . this- musical ' comedy, and the books and lyrics are by Oscar Hammersteln, 2d. The musk) Is by Herbert P. Stothart, and the dance and ensembles by Rob- ert Marks.' There are two acts and a prolog, all laid In Trouvllle, -France. The prolog deptcU an officer of the American Expeditionary 'Forces bidding goodby* to his French sweetheart Thla waa Just at the time. of the signing of the armistice, and the soldier i la returning borne and promises to return to his little French sweetheart. This scene' la en- acted in * panel, with Just tha -two on the stage, and at thla time Is sung, for the first time tha wmg -hit of th* show, "Always Tou." The first act is laid In the grounds outside a hotel In Trouvllle a year later, where Tolnette ' la waiting for the return of "her American' sweetheart and - wondering what could hay* caused him-to stop writing to her. He appears,' ' but with his fiance, an American girl. In fact,. "Joan of Arkansaw," who Is the breezy type' ; of American girl. The pair are traveling about the country, ohanerohed by the glrl'« aunt - At thla time the soldier, now in civil life, confides to a pal he is in a terrible bad box, and that while he lovea Tolnette he IS engaged to the other girl, mostly because It was expected of him, n sort of fulfilling the expectations of the neighbors back home.' The denouement of this act comes when Tolnette discovers her sweet- heart and his fiancee at lunch on the plana of the hotel, and even though he again alnga, "Always Ton" to her, she doesn't heiieva it. The mutual friend of the hero then butts Into the thing and offers to straighten out the, tangle by getting Joan to marry bim In a 24- hour period. He learns that Joan la smitten by what ahe terma an "ethereal aoutmate." Be- lieving that If ah* can find room In her heart for such n eoutmat* aha can find room for his affections, the friend pursues his way and finally straightens ant the matter by getting Joan to marry him, after he haa shown her her "ethereal aoulmato" Is human form, and she haa been duly disappointed by tha apparition. Thla Is the plot, though the us* of such n word aa plot In connection la a bit amlsa. But while the thread of the atory is well maintained, Into tha book there haa been injected some gems of comedy. In a day like this, when the book seems to be responsible for about nlns- tentha of the trouble in musical comedies, It Is grateful to find a book that la an inspiration, and which not only furnishes the hook on which to hang the atory of the show, but also makes that hook very Interesting and pleasing. With care, with a keen eye for details, tha cast haa been selected It la a cast that will make good on Broadway, with one exception. Where a good singer la desired, a good singer appears, and this singer Isn't expected to alng and dance—Just ring. With this combination there la not a chance for those in the show to go amlaa. Thla musical comedy doea not depend on "Jast" or "syncopation," or anything along that line- for Its appeal. It Is Just what the title state*, a musical comedy, and no excuses for tha net of either word are necessary. Judged from, this standpoint there haa not for sev years been seen a better show la this city, if Anna Seymour, who plays Joan, csfries away.. ..^ the comedienne honors for the show. She la ai,- : ',"••>■ lowed practically a monopoly In thla line for ."' M the feminine end of the show. Frank MoCor- v; mack, aa * valet, who la working for a man'^ ''•% he formerly had under him when he waa a mess fi sergeant In the army, does splendid work.' H* ..? is the dry type of comedian. Russell Mack car- ; £*M rlea a large part on his shoulders and does n ' ?{< One piece of work. Helen Ford as Tolnette alnga splendidly. There la not much chance for her otherwise, but her singing holds attention. M Julia Kelety. aa Tolnette'a aunt, a rather- %. vivacious lady Inclined to flirting, shows ahe t* > able to alng" and act Waller Bcanlan. as Bruce ' ' Vaah, the soldier who forgot,his French sweet- ¥2 heart -because of the' neighbors, only to And- her- again, does bettor singing than has been heard in a-theatre bar* for some time. His vote* Is well modulated, and has firmness and volume to recommend it His singing ability far exceeds' ' his acting. ■:■■■■,.' .-",/,i;i ; .'!-!Sli Joseph Barton, aa Armand, assistant to the'; valet, gave a performance that for. silent com- y?M edy haa never been excelled here. HIS. work rank* with the beat on the stage. Especially - one little trick ho has, of contorting his leg and then unloosening it through a series 6f .■■'■*' contortions. Is^n work of art The one feature not up to the standard is the work of George Pemberton, a dancer. Els, peiy • - f|§ romance Monday night was sad. Tbe,other . ' ■ dancers only showed him up more, and even ' *'■ using the "apache dance" ror * vehicle, Cocci* ,. : anoTAmato held the house entranced. "? "' .' --J-Ur.-JA The chorus Is one'tf the finest, a *trto"'&':.^}}§, costume chanana are included In the oerforrn- .^ anoe, and .every cnange is pleasing. • The acertig effects of both; acta are of .fh*-.:''-li'; sort that cause gasps, In the ■ first set '"the '■> y$? grounds of the hotel are well dons, and th* lounge room of the "hotel In the last act is a" '' revelation of scenery. The program states Julia Dove la responsible for this end of what !», |§| taken altogether, one of the best shows of its) ' rf kind produced'during late years In thla city. | ; ^ '.' : ?."tC. '...:■•£■.- '■ .-■■' • iMiy**( £. THE LUST OF GOLD. , Baltimore, Dee. K' r .'^ Fiorea, servant to Tremonj. .Hedwlg Relelier Tetor, servant to Tremont. ..Arthur Fitsgerald Armand Tremont, French-Canadian land- -"■ '■- owner- ......,.....' ...Lou Tellogen Felix Warner, mining engineer ...!:,.. „, . ... ... '*' Charles Hampden Miriam, his wife.... ...... Margaret Undea. ■ A" premiere at tract ron at Ford's, but as far as' attraction goes, It fa not there.' There were none of the usual curtain speeches or great enthusiasm which rnake'"r«t nights- worth; while; ';: ^-1-i The play Is devoid of action and there to ,'' ^ hardly enough material in the three nets to; "v % mr.ke n fair one-got skit In vaudeville. Mr. : \ : :*' Tellegen'e! hew vehicle, (a n typical play writ- r ^~ ten and staged by an'actor tor himself. There ! .'■': ib the strong, virile, red-blooded man who | ^ goea out'Into the wilderness to suffer; with : !■;".—,' the underbrush. There la a faithful servant v who deeply loves her master and threatens . .' dire thlnga If anyone'ever makes her beloved one sad again,-and the expectancy that she ., ■ would at last carry out her oft repeated threat kept a number of people for the final curtain ||| who would-have left mucr- earlier.' ' > '; :? There Is'also the woman - from the great''.! teeming world who loved Lnu in the good old ' , days before he left his hor e and disappeared .i In the shrubbery. ThlJ fair lady (a thankless rote which was ti have been portrayed by Helen Ware) has the usue'. husband, .Intent '[':'■] upon the ruin of' the red-blooded one. And> ' us If this were not enough ta make up n play. they drag In a Coppermine worth millions, and millions which Lou proceeds to give away to ; ; >>> .,> the woman's husband. *•_'':. : '';±-' Mr. Tellegen Is a finished actor, but he to . hot at all well supported in .this play, due fey the most part to tha roles rather than to tho manner In which they are handled. "Lust of Gold" does not provide the proper opportu- nities for hie skin. . ' Charles Hampden was hampered by ths Inoonsiateney of tha character of the engi- neer, but bis work waa pleasing. Hedwlg Reicher gave effective playing In the loyal and loving servant, while aa tha faithless and selfish wife Margaret Linden fitted. Arthur Fitsgerald appeared In a amall role as a ,- ' ; ,\ aervant '■ ^'ir'ti The scenic effects were splendid and it to ■>>.■■; i* pity that they are wasted. fffv*fli i ;*|.fs|% 1 — ' ;■'';'; -vV"£S Two Night-8tund ReoertJj Taken. •.':/! Syracuse, N. Y., Deo. I. Elate Janls and "Her Gang" played a week of one-nlghters, ending Saturday, before opening at the Cohan, New York, Monday. She drew about tlo.000 on the week, with Charlet, Dillingham, her manager, securing 76 and 80 per cent, accordingly, as his share. In Ithaca and Scranton Miss Janls broke the house record. large audience wan ■ on hand to see the nlere of "The Lust of Gold," this week's, ;-'- £3 ■'TS '.-■. m . ■ -V.i* m « d m