The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-11
ADJUSTMENTS

Ezra Kendall In "The Vinegar Buyer"
THE Vinegar Buyer" by way Of which
Ezra Kendall returns from vaudeville to
the proper sphere Of comedian, is de-
scribed on the bills as "a license for
laughter 1t is issued by Herbert Hall
Winslow, and both author and comedian
rest secure beneath it's protection, max
ing it quite impossible to hale them into
the court Of criticism for having violated
| the laws of the drama. AS a licensed
laugh maker, Ezra Kendall is, and has
been for nearly score Of years, "a sue
cess. One can but wish, however, that,
following in the footsteps Of his great and
| lamented prototype Sol Smith Russell,
| he would give up his license and enter
the free and honorable vocation of a CO.
median who needs no license but that Of
| talent ID - 80
The present play is in the right direc-
ton, especially since it affords Mr.. Ken
dali an opportunity to give us a taste Of
his quality as character comedian. The
smart sayings and plays upon words with
which his mouth is filled, are rather a
hindrance than a help in this respect,
though in his capacity as the village joker
he is expected to be overlooking with
quips and cranks. Few players know
how to crack a joke more effectively than
Mr. Kendall and the kindly good nature
with which 1t is done seems native to the
man. If happily he should soon be fur
nished by some clever play writing tailor
with as good fit as "a Poor Relation
was for Mr.. Russell, he would win high
| rank and reputation in the dramatic world.
But THE Vinegar Buyer" despite its
manifest shortcomings, is fairly gusty
with laughter, and, moreover, it is not
a character play, as too many of our
star-inspired plays are The characters
of the Indiana village where Joe Miller
lcracked his jokes are real humans, little
distorted, perhaps. but full Of the humor
that rests on truth. Sandy Talbot, the
village drupkard, played to the life by
Charles Bowser, and Aleck Stripe, the
rum dispenser, an easily recognized and
laughable caricature by Ed Chapman, are
examples Perhaps the best Of them al
is Talbot's wife, who, tired Of supporting
him on the proceeds of her boarding.
house, has secured a divorce Marion Alb.
bott in this unique role, shows an apti.
tude- for eccentric characterization that is
noteworthy. Then there is among 9th.
ers Bob Bascomb, the village lout, who
swells with o'erweening impotence wher
lappointed chief of police, well played by
John D. Garrick. Lottie Alter as the
, heiress for whose hand a manly young
hero (Walter Thomas) and INSCRIPTIONS
. young lawyer Roy Fairchild) are con-
tending, plays the part with sweet ano
girlsh ingenuousness. The lovers quar-
rel, after which the high-strung young
fellow goes away in high dudgeon, is 8
thoroughly natural Scene with no StfdlIl'
ing for effect and thus most effective
The other characters are we'll bestowed
, and the company seconds Mr.. Kendalls
efforts to entertain the audience very sue.
cessfully, . The star has no scruple:
, against curtain speeches. probably because
!, he finds it possible to take the charac
, ter with him in front of the curtain. 81
, he makes two speeches. Probably these
.. are included under his license, and a.
: they make for more laughter, who shall
!, say him nay?
w B. Chamberlain