The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-04

A play highly improbable in plot, some
what lacking in dramatic interest except
ing in one act, and utterly unconvincing,
though with a few compensating touches
OF humor, is 1.-The Man from Missouri, "
written by George v. Hobart and Edward
L. Rose, and acted by the popular come
dian, Tim Murphy, and his associate play
ers. The new comedy was given at En-
glish's last night before an audience of
moderate size that seemed willing to allow
the worthy efforts of the star and several
Of his company to make up for the short
comings of the play.
The story of the piece has to deal with
one Broncho Jim, a Nevada ranchman,
born in Missouri, who goes to Washington
to visit his best friend, John Barton, who
has been elected to Congress principally
through Jim's successful efforts TO ''get
the voters in line" When he first arrives
at the capital the man from Missouri,
through a mistake on the part of the cab
man. is taken 10 the residence OF the post
master general, where he meets Helen
a beautiful young woman, with
whom he straightway falls in love. II
turns out that John Barton is in reality the
son OF the postmaster general. Barton and
his father had quarreled many years pre-
vious 10 the opening of the play, and the
young man had drifted into the Western
~ UhCA AC a dA6 Ills AdA1lC
for some reason or other. Jim finds his
friend Barton in an uneasy frame of mind,
for Barton has learned that his fathers
honor Is In great danger owing TO the folly
OF the old mans young wife cartons step
mother), who has fallen a victim to the
wiles OF a scheming Mexican politician.
When Jim discovers that this Mexican VIII
lain is none other than a desperate whom
he has known out West he is tempted to
bring his trusty brace Of pistols into play,
but, rejecting this plan as impracticable.
he proceeds to outwit the rascal at the
latter's own game, and Is instrumental in
bringing about a happy reunion of father
dentally winning the hand Of the young
woman, Helen Lentworth.
THE Man from Missouri is an actor-made
play, cut out by dramatic tailors to fit an
actor who has a characteristic style. That
IL will amuse some people is quite likely,
because of the fact that Mr.. Murphy is an
actor of ability with a name OF his own
that is quiet, unobtrusive and distinctly
dry, while his humor is well worth while.
His portrayal Of Broncho Jim last night
was in itself a good Characterization and
served to lend interest to q play that might
otherwise have become deadly dull. He
succeeded In rousing the audience to en-
thusiastic applause at the ending of the
the play-and was called before the curtain
to express his thanks.
Dorothy Sherrod in the leading feminine
role or Helen was charming in
appearance and played her part with spirit
and intelligence. Elliott Dexter as the
Mexican schemer, Senior De Castro, enact
ed u conventional melodramatic villain in
conventional melodramitic style. John T..
Wade was equal to the role of John Barton
and Wilbur nj. Roe was good as the post
master general Florence Davis gave an
Acceptable rendition OF the part of the fool
ish young wife and the other feminine parts
We're Adequately filled by Aubrey Powell.
Louise Whitfield, Gertrude Dalton and
Doris Dalton. John German appeared as a
young Washington banker and did all that
he had to do satisfactorily, but w. L. Glib
son gave a poor Interpretation of the part
OF a young German officer and Bernhardt
Niemeyer did not seem to be on familiar
terms With his role of an officer from the
English embassy.
The play was very handsomely staged.
several of the settings being of unusual
excellence. An amusing feature of the per
CURED in the first act Mr.. Murphy and
Mr.. wade were engaged in one of their
dialogues when a terrific knocking came
from behind the scenes. The noise was con-
stopped the other actor, who was i'm the
midst or a speech. Wait, John" said the
comedian, in a gentle voice." wait until the
lightning express has backed into the
theater-its coming now" This unexpect-
ed Interpolation SO upset Mr.. Wade thar n
was with difficulty that he took up his lines
where he had left OF. When the curtain
teu on the act a comlcal scene took place on
the stage. What in heavens name was
the meaning OF that racket cried Murphy.
not a little exasDerated. And when told
that the noise was caused by an Indianapo-
lis expressman who was merely announcing
the presence Of himself and his wagon out
side the comedian threw up his hands. The
expressman had come 10 the stage door of
the theater TO transport the big photograph
frames, used in advertising the play, down
10 the Union Station for shipment TO the
next city where the company is TO play.