The New York Clipper (October 1917)

10 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER October 3, 1917 (sbsfJOfi 'LOMBARDI, LTD.," MAY HAVE A RUN THAT WILL BE UNLIMITED "LOMBABDI, LTD."—A new comedy in three acta by Fannie and Frederick Hatton. Produced by OHrer Moroaco. at tbe Moroaco Theatre, New York, September 21. 1817. THE CA5T. Yvi-tte Miss Judy Harris Muriel Miss Winifred Bryson Dalay . Misa Grace Valentine James Hodgklns Mr. Hallam Bosworth An Expressman Mr. l'ercival Vivian Tito Lombardl Mr. Leo CarlUo Xorah Blake... Miaa Janet Dnnbar Pbylisa Manning Miaa Sue MacManamy Millie McNeal Miaa Marion Abbott Robert Tarrant. Mr. Charles Hammond Llda Moore Miss Mande Gilbert Biccardo Tosello Mr. Warner Baiter Max Strobn... Mr. Harold Russell Miss Curran Misa Carriogton North An Errand Girl Misa Mary Robinson Mrs. Warrington Brown...Miss Ina Rorke Elolse Miss Ruth Terry "Lombardi, Ltd." is another Hatton play, which is the same as to say that it has jast enough that is nice in it and jnst enough that is naughty in it, to make it attractive to anyone who has two hours upon his. hands with which he does not know what to do. There is little that is new either in plot or in treatment, but what there is has been treated and furnished until it serves to hold the attention firmly until 10.30. Another fifteen minutes of it. however, would begin to bore. Dr. Merosco has pre- scribed it for those who seek entertainment only in the theatre, but has been very care- ful not to over treat his patients. With all the idealism, artistic, moral and otherwise, of the better class of Italian, Tito Lombard! conducts a fashionable mo- diste's atelier, thinking less of how and when his ultra-smart patrons pay him for their gowns than he does of antique vases, tapestries and books. Into his background is injected tbe usual story of the show-girl who comes to break his heart, after accept- . ing everything he could lavish upon her, by running away with another man, the sixty-year-old society woman who has a million for every year of her age and de- mands the attention of the entire establish- ment, the sweet, pains-taking fitter and as- sistant, whose efforts have really made the bouse what it is, the usual mannequins, theatrical managers, Broadway characters, etc., and finally, the inevitable business col- lapse that must follow, when art, instead of a check-book rules such an establishment. The care that Mr. Morosco has expended upon the settings, however, the wealth of stunning and fashionable gowns, the finely illumined acting of Leo Carillo as Lombardi and tbe comedy furnished by Grace Valen- tine as a new mannequin, will be the de- termining factors in the success of the piece. Mr. Carillo has developed a finely sensitive character for Lombardi, full of generosity and the excited impetuosity of the Latin temperament. Miss Valentine had only to walk across the stage to get a laugh, and her lines were put over with a finese that should make her refuse all parts in the future except those of a comedienne. As snch, she is un- usually effective, adding a naturalness and spontaneity to her work, whether silent or spoken, that reach out and form the mental and sympathetic relation between herself, her lines and the audience, that is so often lacking in the work of comediennes but which is necessary to carry conviction. The rest of the cast acquitted themselves well, Janet Dnnbar making a sweet assist- ant to Lombardi and Marion Abbott a forewoman, wbo convinced everyone that she made up in good beartedness and loyalty what she lacked in attractiveness. WHAT THE DAILIES SAT. Tribune— Attractive comedy. Sun— Hat abundant vulgarity. Herald— Hat unlimited fun. American—Women in'!! clamor to tee "Lombardi. Lid." BARRIE PLAYS TO TOUR The Charles Frobman, Inc., will send on tour three J. M. Barrie one-act plays, two of which were presented last Spring at the Empire. They include "The New Word," "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals" and "Barbara's Wedding." The last named will replace "The Twelve Pound Look," which is the only play above named that has been seen outside of New York. "WHY MARRY?" IS REHEARSING "Why Marry?" the comedy in which Nat C. Goodwin and Arnold Daly will Btar under Selwyn & Co's management, will be placed in rehearsal on Friday. SELWYNS TAKE "LOSING ELOLSE" "Losing Eloise," a comedy by Fred Jackson, is about to be pnt into rehearsal by Selwyn & Co. for production early next month. "THE RIVIERA GIRL" IS A GORGEOUS MUSICAL PRODUCTION Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger, whose lavish musical comedy productions have long been the talk of the theatrical world, have in "The Riviera Girl" a piece which dwarfs into insignificance any of their pre- vious productions. Joseph Urban, who painted the three really wonderful scenes in which the piece is framed, revealed a beauty of warmth and color, nothing short of an artistic triumph. The costumes, fully in keeping with the scenery completed a dazzling spectacle. The story deals with- the adventure of Sylva Vareska, a vaudeville singer, charmingly played by Wilda Bennett. She is loved by the young son of a count who fearing disinheritance if he marries one be- neath his station in life arranges that she marry an impecunious nobleman in order that through immediate divorce she may acquire a title which will make her eligible to enter bis aristocratic family. The carefully laid plan, however, mis- carries, for the supposed poverty stricken count is no count at all, but a prince who from tbe first has loved Sylva and she in turn falls in love with him.. Miss Bennett, is pretty,' graceful, and n holly charming and her voice is a delight to the ear. Others in the cast which helped the piece to success were Arthur Burckley, Frank Farrington, Louis Casavant, and J. Clarence Harvey. WHAT THE DAILIES SAT. Sun—An exquisitely melodious score. World— Score i* a real treat. Times— Charms musically-book lack* wit. Tribune— Splendid in fulfilment. American — Musical treat — Gorgeous spectacle. "SCRAP OF PAPER" WITH ROBT. HILLIARD AT THE CRITERION "THE SCRAP OF PAPER."—A melo- drama In three acta by Owen Davla and Artbnr Somen Roche. Presented on Monday night, September IT. at the Criterion Theatre, by A. B. Woods. THE CAST, Robert Blaladell Boas Wbytal Daniel Cardigan David Glassford Martin Mastennan Robert EUHlard Terranee Greenham Robert Strange Hlggins Edwin Holland Dixon Grant H. Dudley Hawiey Connor a John J. Plerson "Handsome Harry*' Mack Edward Ellia Klrby Rowland Carroll MeComas Tom Hanrahan Frederick Hand Jessie Slgmond Vina Reed alias Small Bnth Donnelly Henry J. Fred HoUoway Nelson Harold HartseU Laurel Masterman Margalo Gilrmore "The Scrap of Paper," which originally appeared in serial form in The Saturday Evening Pott, was one of the most enter- taining stories printed in that popular pub- lication for many months. In adapting it for the stage, much of its interesting descriptive matter has necessar- ily been lost. The scrap of paper, is not a war docu- ment, which in these times one might sup- pose was the basis of tbe play, but is an agreement signed by three millionaire business men, who bind themselves to take concerted action which will tie up all the mines, the railroads and the food supply of the country. This action, they believe, will bring the entire government to their feet, and force the acceptance of their terms on all life's necessities for a long term of years. The play opens with the signing of tbe agreement in the private office of the pro- moter of.the scheme, situated in a high downtown office building. Jnst as the final signature is attached to the paper, a sudden gust of wind sweeps the paper ont tbe win- dow, and whirling down to the street be- low. From the window they see a man pick it up and enter the office of a steamship company, and then the chase begins. The finder of the paper is an international crook, wbo, cornered by the excited pluto- crats, slips the paper into the pocket of one of the clerks. While out to lunch he discovers the paper and realizing its value plans an immediate marriage, and tells his sweetheart that she can have everything that wealth will buy. Demanding tbe source of bis sudden riches he shows her the document, but she refuses to take advantage of it and rushing to the pbone telephones the conspirators that she will foil their plans. Then tbe chase commences again, the. crook wbo first found it taking an active part, and after drugging a reporter who was holding the paper for safe keeping, gains possession of it and turns it back to tbe conspirators for $200,000. The loss of the paper, however, does not deter the girl from her object of saving tbe poor from the schemes of its makers, and gaining entrance to the home of. the arch- conspirator, exposes everything to the daughter of the arch-conspirator. The girl, whom the father idolizes, is shocked and denounces her father, who, realizing the enormity of the proposed crime, destroys the paper and resolves to abandon his schemes to acquire world power. Robert Hilliard plays the business man wbo" plans to rule the country with fine in- telligence, Carroll MeComas and Edward Ellis scored the hits of the piece. WHAT THE DAILIES SAY. Herald— Pathetio chaos. Tribune— Startling melodrama. World— Might be made ■amueing burlesque. OPENING DATES AHEAD New York City "Tiger Rose"—Lyceum, Oct. 3. "The Rescuing Angel"—Hudson, Oct. 8. "Furs and Frills"—Casino, Oct. 9. "Eve's Daughters"—Playhouse, Oct. 9. "The Old Country"—39th Street, Oct 15. "Cbu Chin Chow"—Manhattan Opera House, Oct. 15. "Jack o" Lantern"—Globe, Oct. 16. "Doing Our Bit"—Winter Garden—Oct. 17. Theatre Do Vieux Columbler—Nov. 20. Out of Town "A Cure for Curables"—Trenton, N. J, Oct. 4. "The Gay Lord Quex"—Stamford, Oct. 6. "The Claim"—Long Branch, Oct. 6. "Under Pressure"—Baltimore, Oct. 8. "The Old Country"—Worcester, Mass., Oct. S. "Yes or No"—St. Louis, Oct. 14. "The Torches"—Hartford, Conn., Oct. 15. Shows Closing "The Man Who Came Back"—Playhouse, Oct. 6. " "Good Night Paul"—Hudson, Oct. 6. "Experience"—Manhattan Opera House— Oct 6. _ "Passing Show of 1917"—Winter Garden. Oct. 13. 'The Masquerader"—Lyric, Oct 13. •TURN BACK THE HOURS" IS A GOOD DRAMA SPLENDIDLY PUT ON •■TURN BACK THE HODBS."—A drama ia four acta by Edward B. Rose, starring Mabelle Eatelle. Pre- sented st the Orphenm Theatre. Phila- delphia, Sept 2*. 1917. CAST. Marlon Falrley ) Mabelle Eatelle Boxy | Luke Kelso Grant Errin John Ashley Stanley I*. Price Alice Wray..'. .Edith Costello Count Cosmos .L. J. Epatein bippr Cbaa. .Brookley Sinkers George Keuoe Bugs Edward Skinner nilnk.v East Arthur Jennings Hosier Ripley Anna Snyder SaukiMina George Arthur Motuer Sbeni Marie Casmere Pat Bysa John O'Brien Dramatic Reviews Continued on page 30 When Edward E. Rose wrote tbe drama in which Miss Estelle has made her debut on the'International Circuit, he evidently, at all times, had in mind tbe ability and ingenuity of the versatile little star. The story rapidly unfolds itself in the first act after which the audience is held in suspense until the final curtain. It tells of a young, wealthy girl who is very selfish and despises those who are not in her set. She is in love with a physician but does not care to marry him owing to the fact that be does a considerable part of his work in the slums. Also, a Syrian Count has worked himself into ber graces and has made a good impression upon her. Some time later a girl of the slums ap- pears at her home to see her, but her sec- retary will not permit it arid tbe girl ia told to get ont of the house. Suddenly, a shriek is heard and it is learned that the girl has been hit by an automobile. Against the will of the heiress, the girl is sheltered in her home through the ef- forts of the physician. The heiress then desires to take a rest prior to dinner and lies down to sleep for an hour. As the lights are dimmed, there appears from an old antique vase, a Hindu mystic, who tells her that she is a daughter of the stars, altogether too selfish and that she must learn the other side of life. For that reason, he will "Turn Back the Hours," be says and she must go through the life of the waif who was injured by the auto- mobile, for twenty-four hours. In the second act, the life of this girl is shown, and it is explained that she came to the house of the heiress to warn her of the nnworthlness of the Count. The production is elaborately staged and details are carefully considered. In the dual role of Marion and Boxy, Miss Estelle capably shows her versatility, portraying both characters and speaking the lines in a natural way, without ever overdoing the part. This play should prove a winner on the International.