Variety (May 1919)

mi. s-?*& • 'M: r .:^ m% wsfa ;*= \ s ^ ■:f»,.- 14 ail m i LiElG^lfT'I'MAI^IE i; I .:' ■ T': LOOK AND LISTEN. Atlantic City, Mar 21. Somehow or other A. H. Woods always man- ages to give us something a little 'different. May 19 at the Globe the audience was treated to a new sort of dramaturgy, complicated in conception but rather simple In movement, nevertheless rich with the fascination of novelty. The piece is "Look and Listen." The story Is told in the first scene of the first act, in a law office. Blanche Warren has been accused of the murder of Hugh Saints- bury, fiance of her sister, who has been shot to death at Brlarcliffe. Her whereabouts are a mystery both to Lawyer Harlanday, who expects to marry her, and to the police, who want her. A Mrs. Lydlard Is brought Into the office In a wheel chair. It Is this deaf, paralysed old lady who accuses Miss Warren. She tells her story, and as she tells It the scene shifts to the Brlarcliffe Woods. Here we see Blanche Warren and her sister, Adele, and Hugh Salntsbury going through a pan- tomime of the story, while the deaf old lady quite by accident Is concealed behind the .shielding rock where she has been left by her nurse. Adele and Salntsbury leave, and the next moment the man staggers back on the stage mortally wounded, while Blanche fol- lows him, holding a pistol In her hand. The scene goes back to the lawyer's office where the old lady finished her story. In act two the story again opens In the lawyer's office. This time Blanche Warren and her sister come in seeking Day's help. Blanche tells her story precisely as the old lady told It. with the exception of saying that she did not know who fired the shot. It develops that three years before Salnts- bury had tried to trick Blanche, succeeding only In compromising her. This establishes the motive for the crime, as the woman who ran the roadhouse of Blanche's unfortunate experience has already recognized her, and no doubt will testify. The third act again opens In the lawyer's office, to which has come an unsuccessful suitor for the hand of Blanche's sister, Adele. He tells of a blind man who sells news- papers at the railway depot. This blind man has said that be overheard the confession of a woman who claimed to be Salntsbury's wife, lfc is brought to the office, and as he tells his story the scene changes to the railroad depot. In this scene only the voices of the characters are heard, the set being In total darkness. The blind man's story Is concluded in the lawyer's office once more. It Is In this final scene that Mrs. Lydiard's nurse comes In again to tell Day that her patient Is too weak to again testify. The blind man recog- nises her voice, and in the cross questioning that follows she confesses the crime. All this is novel enough In presentation, but It Is not good drama. The solution de- pends entirely upon a coincidence that taxes the credulity; It has the taste of being mad.; to order. The story Is quite ordinary and differs only in the method of telling.' In the third place it Is this novelty of presentation which keeps the piece going, maintaining in- terest. . - - Instead of the audience guessing as to the Identity of the criminal, It tried to guess what new thing was to be done next. No one is concerned about the murderer; rather one wonders how Blanche Is to be gotten out «-f her predicament. Her Innocence Is takon for granted; the denouement had to reveal, not the murderer, but the method of discovery. And this method developed to be a coincidence and not a method. Nevertheless, the novelty of its presenta- ■ tlon may carry the play to success, as in the case of "On Trial, though there Is hardly an attempt at charatcer drawing save in the- Instance of the deaf old lady. The story in not completed enough or Intense enough to , sustain Itself. "Look and Listen" Is well acted, Including In Its cast Olive Wyndhnm, Flo Hart, Ramsey Wallace, Georgia Lee Hall, W. L. Thome Stewart Wilson, Florlne Arnold, Harriet Ross, Arleen Hackett, Richard Gordon. William B. Mack, Harold Vosburg, John J. Plerson. SUNRISE. Atlantic City, May 21. i According to all the edicts of a first night audience Wlnchell Smith and John L. Golden have won another success with their newest comedy, "Sunrise," at the Apollo. The atmosphere of a Blue Ridge mountain summit and Its native people furnish the humor, the comedy and the pathos that mingle In this new vehicle with all of the glamour and appeal that have previously made the productions of this firm so successful. It Is worth while Just to see tho native folk of this mountainside, To make the' ac- quaintance of the Preacher, alias strong arm man, to meet bright, happy and delightful lit- tle Azaele In her now found home, to get.ac- quainted with young Sam Dlsbrow with a hankering for book learning and a love for Azalea—It Is well to have known the old fiddler and his splendid vein of humorous doings. You won't feel any the worse for meeting "Ma" McBlrdey and her cottage on top of the mountain or even for Beelng "Pa" Blrney. Then there Is Jeff and Manay and old Mr. Dlsbrow, the gloomy undertaker, and Buck and Dick and old Jeff Coulter, who has a family feud with the Babbs that is two goncratlons old. They all are real characters right out of the heart of a world you don't know much about. Probably tho story of the young girl, rescued by the Preacher from the hands of a clrcuB gang as her guardian Grandfather died and possessed of a fortune through an assumed relationship—may not be a story that will stand Investigation, but It will, neverthe- less, be found sufficient for such a splendid cast as acted .It last night and made the every point of native talent show up In its most transparent light. It Is not the plot of "Sunrise" that has the greatest appeal—that you can ascertain at the close of the first of its four acts. It is Its transplanted atmosphere of the high Blue Rldgo Mountains and the fun of living with these people that is really Interesting. Adding to the height of pleasure is little Miss Sylvia Field In the part of Azalea. MIbb Field has been hailed as a find of the recent Beason, and her work last night Justified her advance notices. If she was sometimes too much above the uncultured folk of her ac- quaintance and supposed genealogy, the rosy Idealism that pervades these coated plays pro- vided sufficient excuse and allowed the gentle play of her youthful face full of personality. Chester Morris, as the hero of the plot, played sincerely and truthfully. Alphoz Eithler as the clergyman created a distinct Impression, but among the many character parts none stood out bo clear in its perfec- tion as the old toothless fiddler, almost deaf, as played by Charles Althofi. LOVE LAUGHS. . If "Love" did any laughing at the Bijou May 20 where this new three-act comedy was Initially presented, it was a solo titter. No one else was In on the laugh. "Love Laughs" Is by George D. Parker. - It is presented by Edwin Kohn through ar- rangement with the Sclbllia Co. It is a de- cidedly light and decidedly silly comedy, de- cidedly more silly than funny. The entire action Is staged in the sitting room of a physician's home, the story revolving around the romance of a young man who Imagines he Is desperately in love with a pretty nurse. Harold Hendes is the young man and Jessie Qlendennlng Is the nurse. The young man Invoked the aid of a nerve specialist to aid him In winning the nurse's affections. The specialist Is Lionel Adams. He agrees to make the young man '111 and does so in the first act, quartering him in his own home. In the second act it appears the young man has fallen in love with the nerve specialist's ward, the ward being Katherlne Alexander. The nurse has fallen In love with the nerve spe- cialist. Everyone Is wIbo to conditions out the latter, but being a brilliant scientist and admittedly over 40, he had to continue Ignor- ant of the situation for the good of the Plot. "~ In the third act the complication Is adjusted and the double marriage promised. For a brief moment a cloud hangs over the young and pretty nurse, but this was promptly cleared up. Miss Qlendennlng had a wonderful oppor- tunity In this piece to outshine her associates and she did nobly. She was the sole radiant star of the cast while Mr. Adams gave a rather poor performance, displaying a marked nervousness and a tendency to forget his lines, but this of course might be expected at a first performance. Ida Waterman,' as the physician's mother, bad a small part, but played It well. Harold West as an English detective bad a smaller part and did not play It well. Arthur Allen was with tho piece for a few minutes In the first act, in a character part. Harold Hendce was extremely silly as the lover, being a bit aged for a Juvenile role that called for such ridiculous actions, {Catherine Alexander, as the Ingenue, also exaggerated a trifle and did not appear quite as sane as the most giddy girl who has fallen In love. "Love Laughs" may linger, but hardly- long. wynn. PRETTYSOFT. Capt. John Dasent, R. A. F., artist, „ Edwin Nlcander Dulcle Dasen, his wife Monn Brans Lieut. Gunning Blossom, R. N. V. R., his friend Claude Beerhobm Cull, his man servant Joseph Allenton t Merrlam Pell, war contractor, Dallas Welford Nancy Pell, his wife Nancy Stewart Professor McKlbble, London University, „ . Joseph W. Herbert Dolly McKlbble, his wife....Florence Eldrldge Major Bunthunder, D. S. 0. (home on furlough) ...'..... Roy Cochrane Colonel Valllant, French Army, Edouard Durand Peter Joles, from East Africa, • Rowland Buckstonc Norab, an Irish maid Alleen Poe Mrs. Rapley, supper rooms... .Rose Coghlon Pruo, waitress Margaret Nybloc May Fahey, on the stage Jean Stuart Police Inspector Fred Graham Police Sergeant -. Harry Manners Police Officer Frank Blxby Madame La Tour Marie Pettes James Owen O'Connor, playing Shakes- peace behind a net. and the Cherry Sisters doing a song and dance turn under similar conditions, have been eclipsed by the pre- sentation at the Morosco, May 15, of a farce comedy by Paul M. Potter, entitled "Pretty Soft." Not since those memorable days has a first night audience had so enjoyable an eve- ning. Those present at the premiere looked at one another, doubting their own eyes and ears. "Pretty Soft," designed as an adaptation of French licentiousness, proved to be an lnnno farce with smutty lines of the most brutal vulgarity whloh cannot be con- doned on the score of cleverness. A captain of the English army Is ordered by his uncle to be married before his depar- ture for the front, with the Idea of assuring a son and heir to his vast estate. On the eve of the wedding, three days before be is scheduled to leave, he calls on his mistress, tolls her of hts Impending marriage and the necessity for his creating an heir. To which she replies: "Only.three daysT -Then you're no time to lose." This Is a fair sample of the "brilliancy" of dialog with which the piece abounds. The so-called "humor" is supposed to arke from the fact that the mistress glvei the captain .a sleeping potion which renders him Incapable of : consummating the creation of the desired heir. Act second takes place in a roadhouse fre- quented by men and their mistresses. Most of the women in the cast have lovers and make assignations there. When the sleepy captain arrives to secure a much. needed rest In order to recover his faculties and informs the maid he is not expecting a lady, she re- plies, as she "leaves the room! "All right, I'll be back." When the virgin bride is Do- ing solicited by the family lawyer, an old dodderer, and rejects bis overtures, he ex- claims: "You're the most ungrateful client I've ever had." Speaking of one of the wives, the maid says: "She's with two men In two different rooms at the same time- pretty soft." The captain, being interrogated, is asked: "How often have - you been mar- ried?" says: "Once, and hardly that." The whole thing is cheap vulgarity without wit. All the characters In the second act run in and out of doors in approved old-fashioned French farce methods of several decades agone, there are Innumerable "asides" and monologs, and In addition, resource is had to the cheapest form of ancient vaudeville gags, as for Instance: "I suppose you are familiar with his whereabouts——I think they're in the wash"; "Many are called, but few get up"; a woman faints and the man who is attempt- ing to revive her, drinks a glass of liquor Instead of administering it to ner. To pass Judgment upon the work of the players would be doing them a gross In- justice. Paul M. Potter, who dramatized "Trilby," "The Honor of the Family," "The Conquerors," etc., may be aging, but what about- the seasoned, but still youthful, the- atrical men responsible for the representa- tion T As an example of the very worst entertain- ment of Its kind ever attempted in New York, "Pretty Soft" is worth going to see. Jolo. JUDGMENTS. Judgments filed in the County Clerk's office. The first name Is that of the Judgment debtor, .the second the Judgment creditor, and the amount of Judgment. Frank Belcher and Al Mayer—Rogston Film Co.. Inc., $269,08. K & k Film Co., Inc.—W. A. Brady, $140.70. Andre Sherrl—Lin wood Garage, Inc., $217.40. Trans-Russian Film Corp.—L. Garflnkle et al., $1,148.31. K a R Film Corp.—W. A. Brady, $88.40 (costs). Rlvoll Producing Film Corp.—B. Dlsalvo et al. $510.45. . Bame—Astra Film Corp., $41.15. Jean Cooper—Musical Courier Co., $280.27. Abraham Kaskowlti by gdn.—Luna Amuse- ment Co., $110.05. Marne Productions, Inc.,—B. R. Royce, $852.48. Mitchell H. Mark Realty Corp.—E. ,Kohler, $3,211.22. , ENGAGEMENTS; . Mrs. Charles 0. Craig, "A Regular Fellow." Wellington Cross, "Just a Minute." Ernest Olendlnnlng, "A Regular Feller." Nelson Snow, "Here ComeB the Groom." DEATHS. Selah Halleck. Selah Halleck (Mrs. Roland Carr) was killed while driving her automo- bile in Perth Amboy, N. J., May. 13. The deceased was at one time » promi- nent leading woman in legitimate pro- ductions. J. F. Donovan. Jeremiah Francis Donovan died May 16 of pneumonia at his home in Brook- lyn. The deceased had been an actor and lawyer and widely known as a di- . rector of amateur dramatics. James A. Foster. James A. Foster died May 15 at his home, Warwick, R. I. The deceased was owner of the Colonial, Providence, and was prominent in business in that city. Mr. Foster was 73 years of age. HELEN TYLER'S "OASIS/' Helen Tyler has given up thetjstage and producing for the present to de- vote all of her time to "The Oasis" a woman's club with quarters in the Hotel Commodore, New York, and in Paris: Several of the leading lights of the profession are associated with the movement, which is designed to furnish club rooms and entertainment for the membership, which to a great extent is to be of out of town women. It is to be a general information cen- ter regarding activities in New York and to furnish a list of everything from the best shops to the play hits to the visitors. NEWS OF THE DAILIES. Lieut. "Jim" Europe, slain In Boston re- cently, left an estate valued at $1,000. Mrs. Otis Skinner has written a* play which has been accepted by the Charles Frohman Co. Over $6,000 was raised for the Actors' Fund at the annual Boston benefit, slay 16. ■ Maurice and Walter returned to New York from abroad last week after 18 months of war service, J. 8. Tepper's first production since leaving the Selwyns will be "Curiosity," a comedy by H. Austin Adams, author of " 'Coptlon Shoals.'' William A. Brady has oabled, advising his office that be and Miss Qeorge hays arrived safely at Plymouth. John Cort will present Eddie Leonard in "Roly Boly Eyes," a musical comedy by Ed- gar Ellen Wolfe, next season. Mme. Oranler, the French comedlenne.^nas applied to Charles Dillingham (or the French rights to "She's a Good Fellow," to be pro- duced at the Theatre Varieties this summer. "Dangerous Yearn," by Edward Locke, has been accepted by the Shuberts for immediate production. Alma Tell has been placed under contract to play the leading role. Ida Adams, who has been a success In London for several years, returned to this country • last week. Her latest bit on the other side was "Inside the Lines." Oliver Morosco has announced that, except for leasing his theatre to the Empire Fro-. dudng Corp., he has no connection with the presentation of "Pretty Soft." Oliver D. Bailey has accepted for early pro- duction a comedy by Julian F. Thompson, of Chicago, a broker. It Is called "Three Blind Mice." Percy Burton has terminated his associa- tion with Mr. and Mrs Coburn as general manager of "The Better 'Ole," and sails for England.next week to arrange for the appear- ance of Lowell Thomas in bis travelogues. The Sclbllia Theatrical Enterprises bare started rehearsals of "Fifty-Fifty," a musical comedy by Lieut. Leon DeCosta, William Len- nox and Margaret Michael. Mr. Lennox will be featured In the cast "Look Who's Here!" a musical comedy by Frank Mandel and Edward Paulton with mu- sic by Silvio Heln, will be produced In Sept. Cecil Lean and Cleo Mayfleld will head the cast. ■a Harry C. Langford has been appointed dra- matic editor of the Washington Times, Arthur Brisbane's paper. He succeeds B. P. Berman, who walked out of the office one evening and hasn't advised bis boss yet as to his where- abouts. - In appreciation of the war work performed by the women of the stage the Friars Club will have a dinner for the members of 4 the Stage Women's War Relief In the Hotel Aster, May 25. Ch'annlng Pollock Is chairman of tho committee of 'arrangements. \ Five plays, one of them by Edward Locks, author of "The Climax," have been bought by the Greenwich Village Theatre for production next season. B. Iden Payne and W. H. 0111- more will probably co-operate with Frank Conroy In producing these plays. Another Frencb enterprise will be launched In New York next season under the direction of Carlo Llten, a Belgian actor. It will he known as the "Theatre D'Art des Poetes Francais et Beiges," and will play a limited engagement at the Little Lenox Theatre be- ginning in December. Arrangements have been perfected for a publlo performance at the Greek Theatre on the grounds of the Scarborough Country Club at Scarborough, on-the-Hudson, Memorial Day. "Twelfth Night" will be played for tho benefit of the Osslnlng Hospital. Mrs. Peter Duryea (Viola Allen) will appear in the role of Viola. George O. Haven was elected president of ' the Metropolitan Opera and Real Estate Co. (owner of the Metropolitan O. H.) at the annual meeting last week. Mr. Haven suc- ceeds the late Augustus D. Jullllard. H. A. C. Taylor was re-elected vice-president, and George Henry Warren succeeds Mr. Haven as treasurer. On the board of directors are George F. Baker, August Belmont, R. Fulton Cutting, H. C. Frlck, 0. O. Haven, Ogden Mills, J. P. Morgan, H. A. 0. Taylor, W. K. Vanderbllt, George Henry Warren, George Pea- body Wetmore and Harry Payne Whitney. CRITICISM. PRETTY SOFT. A farce cortedy by Paul Meredith Potter from the French by Antony Mars and Leon Xanrof at the Morosco, May 15. With an exhibition of this kind dramatic criticism has nothing whatever to do except to warn the public of Its general offenslve- ness.—World, Why friendly foreign nations like France and England have to be misused by farces of this sort la beyond comprehension. As they are not to blame, who IsT—Herald, t SI