The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-10-30
Grand Opera House.

Il GTHnG VFerN hpuHt. J5s
What the audience at the Grand OPP
era house last night lacked in numbers
they more than made up in enthusiasm
and roundly applauded the production
of the realistic comedy melodrama, "A
Ragged Hero" which opened three
night and matinee engagement at that
popular theater. The piece is brim full
Of thrilling situations and affords album
dant scope for the presentation Of in
cidents in a manner which appeal to
ones inmost nature.
"A Ragged Hero" is built on a strong
plot despite the fact that the name
might suggest its being light and friv-
olous. The murder of an aged father
by an INSCRIPTIONS and hateful son is
placed on the shoulders of an innocent
stepson by the murderer himself and
the innocent young man is condemned
to be hung by the perjured words of
the son. The quarrel and the murder
are witnessed by an aeronaut, who saw
| the son place the bloody knife in the
hands of the stepson, who, while in a
fit of somnambulism is wandering
about the dooryard of the country
home. The aeronaut's balloon became
unmanageable shortly after and he was
! hurled to the ground many miles away
but with such force that he lost his
reason. 1t was not until faithful
/ sweetheart of the condemned young
man had sought him out and attempted
to relate to him the facts Of the case
that he regains his senses. A new trial
is granted and the testimony of the
aeronaut frees the condemned young
man and convicts the real murderer
| The scenes are in the country at the
| Preston farm and a wandering hobo
seeks refuge at the farmhouse and be-
comes a regular boarder and 1odger in
the barn. The villain, after some time
becomes desperate for money and sets
1 fire to the old home in the hopes Of
burning up his sister so that the money
of which she is possessed will become
him. The tramp hears her cry for help
and rescues her in a daring manner.
| The introduction Of characters of the
rural district is very acceptable and
/ the parts are in the hands of capable
people, especially that Of Juliet Stone
as Gertrude SWiggett, who gave one of
the finest bits of character work, as the
gawkish, clumsy, green, country lass,
ever seen at the Grand. She was a
typical isis Hopkins" Hal Brown as
Willie Wildflower, the ragged hero, fig
ured conspicuously and was a good
i tramp comedian. The rest of the COM
pany was far above the average and
1 there should be large audiences at the
4 remaining performances tonight and
1 tomorrow night and Saturday matinee.
4 tend the annual meeting of the stock
i Women like "a Hot Old Time" which
will be the bill at the Grand Opera
House Monday Tuesday and Wednes-
day of next week, because it is uproari-
Gus with fun, but entirely free from
Vulgarity. 1t is a well known fact that
the fair sex will flock to the theater
4 when they can see an attraction which
pleases the sense of sight and hearing,
while not offending the innate modesty
with which every true woman is pos
sessed. In "A Hot Old Time" they get
a singularly beautiful and new produce
ton, elaborate and beautiful gowns,
lulluy jokes CIGN6Ft 'SpSCldllieS dllQ uG-
lightful music. The company is very
large and expensive one, and includes
many performers of International repu-
tation. Matinee will be given on
Wednesday.
"a Message From Mars is by Rich
ard Ganthony, who has been known to
fame heretofore principally by virtue of
applause granted him for "a Brace of
Partridges," farce that was success
full on both sides of the Atlantic several
years ago. "A Message From Mars
proves Mr.. Ganthony man fertile in
imagination, rich in wit and writer of
distinction and grace. Furthermore it
argues him philosopher of some depth,
and student of character with powers
for close observation. Charles Froh-
man announces the strongest of comedy
companies for its production here at the
Grand Opera House Thursday, Friday
iand Saturday, November 5, and Z, with
lmatinee Saturday.