The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-20
PlaUS That AmuSe
Why The Virainian" Sue
ceeds Miss Lotus and
Joan of Arc = Margaret
Anglin and The Eternal
Feminine. "

II, week since. Washington failed to
respond 20 the Magic OF an established
name. IL gave intelligent response these
past six Gays 10 the power OF new names
coupled with creditable works. The
Pirginian" and The Serio-Comic Gov
erness' arc both distinctive OF our. oygn
age. Both are by men unknown 10 the
generation which acclaimed Ada Rehau.
And both appeal directly 10 the most
characteristic elements OF the modern
mind
Americans OF the nom Newport variety
turn Interested eyes toward the great
free West. The stalWartness of its
men, their unaffected and outspOlzen
manliness, their calm superiority 10 the
artificial restraints imposed BY formal
society, accord with all their innate in
cline tons Mr WisteT-s sketches salts
lied this interest ana SO We're widely
read. When the book became play il
had the advantage ot wide advertising
among the most desirable patrons OF The
heater. With that. however, was the
disadvantage II Il wide general sus-
picion hat the book quality would
disappear in the transformation and
that the play must accordingly be sun
and forced.
Amusing First-Then Elevating.
What happened is now familiar 10
Washington. The play. Ike ..Pudden-
head Wilson" is better than the book
The river has run higher than It's
source. A series of sketches has he
come concrete, logical picturesque
powerful dramatic story. sufficient 10
hold the interest and reward the mind
A good many plays Will reward the
mind. But honest theatergoers who
hope 10 be amused and pay money 10 be
amused, give precious little thought 10
the elevation. What they need is amuse-
ment. and unless the playwright and
producer can provide il their purpose
20 elevate the mind Is barren
The Virginian" exeels I'm the poWer
20 amuse. Its story IS so tense. so re-
heved by the bright lights OF comedy
and emphasized by the broad shadows
OF path0s. that even the blase are held
ey II; So II goes on its way teaching
the doctrine OF the open air and me-
power OF manliness where George Rcr-
nard Shaw and Henrik Ibsen cannot
even get "a hearing. Heaven be praised
for that!
Backward OF Forward?
Miss LOTUS has gone back a stem 10
50 forward an inch She has aban-
doned Ophelia and the beautiful sweet
heart OF the Proud Prince" for music
hall songstress. and the valuable tute-
lage OF a man like Mr.. sothern for the
doubtful Independence OF being a star
Just now she Is In the midst OF "a J4t-
tie. Doubling critics and inattentlye
theatergoers are on the one side and a
determined young woman. secure in her
art and armed with ambition. attended
By haif-heartcd armorer is on the
other side. Who viii VIM The deter
mined young woman secure in her ART
and armed with ambition. Even when
the half hearted aFmoFer has run AWAY
land Mr.. Daniel FrOhman has been
known 70 do such things-she will stand
resoiutely ~ her cOlOrs and after "A
season or two OF trial by fire this theat-
rie-il Joan ~ arc will ride into the box
cnlee Rheims al the head Of her troops
Shines in Silhouette.
She began by buying her ammunition
from doubtful facJory-that OF Israel
Zangwin and the Pastelles More Of
the Wild West ard less OF London ia