The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-21
ADJUSTMENTS.
"The spenders," at the Jefferson.

Peter Bnes mine owner er...............
 ....... ......... civilian H. Crane Peter Percival Zines ..;................
 .........................G George s. Spencer Ruion Shepler .................,..John Flood Horace Milbrey ............George DeVere Billy Brue ........... .........Percy Brooke Cecil Mauburn ......... Charles Crawford Pangbourne, superintendent at The
 One Girl Mne," Mont. William Wray Avice Milbrey ................ Lucille Flaven Psyche Zines . Marion Pollock Johnson Mrs Drelmer ....s.....-.....L .Lida McMillan Florence AlSemit ............A Anne Caverly Mrs. Bines ................. Marie Bingham Mrs Van Gist ........... Mrs Ida Darling
 A fine audience at the Jefferson last night greeted "'rhe Spenders," a play that MT. Crane calls a comedy, but which Is In very truth smooth-running, we'll knit society satire, full of comedy incl dents. The story briefly is this: The Zines family become suddenly rich in the de- velopment of mines in Skipalap mountain, Montana. The son of Peter Zines dies, and his wife and son and daughter, against the wishes of the grandfather go to New York to get into society. They get into all sorts of trouble instead in New York, and at length the grandfather goes to the great city to straighten out the tribulations of the family, which he succeeds in doing to the delight of all who watch him.
 William H. Crane is Peter Zines" the mine owner, whose heart ever beats to the gulches of Montana. MT. Crane is a veteran actor now, about 60 years old and the part he takes in ''The Spenders" seems to have been expressly written for him, so admirably does he fill it. His age and his manner fit the part like a glove, and t1.n x,1otr Ie ft11l ,,f 4,.fn .fa may seem strange when it is remembered that 1t is a book play, but the book was not permitted to mar the play.
 But let us return to MT. Crane. As Peter Zines he Is indeed mirth-provoking and effective, but he has many passages of pathos, bordering on tragedy, to han de, and they lose no force in his hands. When the old actor appeals to his grand son to stay in Montana and make a man of himself. he brought tears to many eyes, and his defense and support in the | last act of Alice Melbrey, the heroine of the play, was manly inspiring and ex- ceedingly dramatic. MT. Crane was re- called again and again after every act. but he declined to make a speech, much to the regret of his numerous friends in this town.
 George s. Spencer as the grandson was not very effective or pleasing in the first act but he came out in satisfactory manner before the curtain fell on the fourth act. As much may be said of Miss Lucille Flaven as Alice Milbrey. At first she seemed rather tame but as her face became bright from the intensity of the story unfolded she won a warm place in the hearts of the auditors. Miss Anne Caverly as the young widow of the plot, was certainly warm number. Miss Lida McMillan, as soheming member of so- ciety was almost the villain of the play, and she filled well the part. It would be unlxind not to mention Charles Crawford, who presented the typical Englishman. who is slow to see joke.
 The play is by no means a mixture of froth and nonsense. It is a story of real life. It is called 'The Spenders' because the members of the Zines family who go to New York have money to throw away but Uncle Peter Zines has sense enough to save them from the wreck and to rescue them from the eddies and whirlpools of the metropolis. and to re-establish them in all happiness amid the. peaks and can- yons of Montana again.
 "The Spenders'' will be seen again to- night