The Film Spectator (Mar-Dec 1928)

Page Two THE FILM SPECTATOR March 17, 1928 <«]niiiiiiiiric]niiiiiiiiiJE]iiuinuuiaiiiiHniiiiQninnniiiE]iMiiiiinn[]HiiiinuiiaiiiuMiuiiuiMiiiiinirDuuiiiiiniuiMiiiiinME]iiuiiiiininniiiiinninuiiiiiJi I Qood Bye, Los Angles/ , ♦ HellOf New York! I Having successfully tried out my play, "RELATIONS" at the Vine Street I Theatre, Hollywood, where it ran for nine weeks, I am taking the play to New I York, for production there. I I sincerely regret having to leave the picture business, and the many loyal and I staunch friends I have made here, though only for a while, since I am coming back I to you as soon as I have completed my task in New York. I Au revoir, my very dear friends in L. A., and Hello, ditto, in N. Y. I EDWARD CLARK Harold N. Hubbard, in Hollywood Daily Citizen : "Relations", which was given a hilarious greeting by a large audience last night at the Vine Street Theatre, is NOT "just another one of those Jewish plays." It has "IT" and is sufficiently clever and human in its delineation of certain phases and characteristics of Jewish life to command interest. Edward Clark, the author-producer, takes the leading role of "Uncle Wolfe" Michaels, and succeeds admirably in his portrayal, a genuine accomplishment, considering an author-producer-actor's difficulty of maintaining proper perspective. Harry Burns, in Hollywood Filmograph: Last Monday evening, at the Vine Street Theatre, Edward Clark presented his Jewish-American comedy, "Relations." The show was well staged, and one of the best professional first-night critic audiences just sat there and roared to its heart's content. Clark not only wrote and produced the play, but takes the leading role as well. His portrayal of "Uncle Wolfe" is by far the best piece of acting that any character player or star has brought to the stage of the West Coast in many a day. His Jewish characterization couldn't offend the most critical Hebraic critic. He actually lived and moved in the soul of the character he was portraying. Marquis Busby, in Los Angeles Times: "Relations", a new Jewish-American comedy by Edward Clark, which opened the long-dark Vine Street Theatre last night, differs from the "Abies" and the "Potash and Perlmutter" series. Its chief claim to distinction is the fact that it does more than merely scratch the surface of race psychology. It presents a rather keen insight into certain aspects of the Jewish race. Llewellyn Miller, in Los Angeles Record : Edward Clark's "Relations", which re-opened the Vine Street Theatre last night, is double-time comedy, cleverly played, and directed with a keen dramatic sense. Overwhelming honors go to Edward Clark, who plays the lead of "Uncle Wolfe" to a steady comment of laughter from the audience. It is indeed a distinguished piece of work. California Jewish Review: At last! A Jewish-American play that does not deal ■with mixed marriages, that does not depend for its humor and pathos on inter-racial friendship or hostility, and yet is a good play, good from every angle. To utter prophecies about "Relations", now showing at the Vine Street, is a dangerous procedure, as in the case of all new plays, but the critic will take a chance this time. He predicts that "Relations" will be as big a box-office success as the perennial "Abie's Irish Rose". To say that it is better, more natural, less burlesque, and far more true to life than the Anne Nichols dish, needs no keen dramatic insight nor divine guidance. And to the readers of this paper and their friends the critic says, "If you want to see the best legitimate show in years, go and see "Relations". New York Variety: It remained for Edward Clark to dramatize a familiar topic and weave around it a story of Jewish family life without the aid of an Irish motif. Its principal appeal lies in the character of a middleaged Jewish merchant whose troubles with relatives is one long recitation. As dravm by Clark, it teeters with laughs to tears with comedy punch lines thickly interspersed. Clark's intelligent characterization of "Uncle Wolfe" is outstanding. He gives a splendid performance. Gregory Goss, in Los Angeles Examiner: Edward Clark's comedy, "Relations" depicts the ebb and flow of a Jewish merchant's fortune as he allies himself with and against his relatives. He exploits the theme that "Blood is thicker than water." Clark himself plays the role of "Uncle Wolfe" with great understanding. He shades his comedy and pathos with careful discrimination and clarifies the dialogue with a fascinating play of facial expressions. Harriet Clay Penman, in Hollywood News: Those who expect to find "Relations" a follow-up of "Abie's Irish Rose" will see nothing of that overworked plot. It is neither salacious, cheap in its humor, nor commonplace in treatment. It is more than a play — it is really a human document. □ i <'*joiiiimiiiiE3iiiJmiiiii[iiiiiiiiiiiiiE}iiiiimiiiic]niiiiniiiiic]iiiniiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiE]iiiiiniiiii»iiiiiiiiiiioiiiiiiiiiiiE]iiiiiiiiiiiiniin