The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-19
First Production Here of
Clyde Fitch'S "The Girl
With the Green Eyes. +"
Eugene BIairs "Sapho"
Foxy Grandpa Returns
to Columbia" ALittle
Outcast" at Academy.
"Thelma' at Empire.


made her Washington debut as a star
az the National Theater
he play which Clyde Fitch has pro-
vided her is entitled The Girl With
the Green Eyes, and, under the man
secment OF Charles Fr0hman. this de-
igAtful and late addition TO the ranks
u American stars entertained a fash
ionable audience.
Mrs Bloodgood long ago laid claim,
h. public favor in THE Climbers when
she portrayed a .'horsey'' young woman
with 50 much success that she was the
sensation of the piece. Later her act
Ing OF a young society matron in "The
Way of the World helped to establish
her among the notably clever women Of
the American stage. Now. she has be
come a real star, but thar fact seems
Ia no way 70 have diminished her abil-
It's or TO have lessened her ambition
10 further add 10 her successes.
Differences of Opinion.
Nc matter how far-reaching the cry
of many critics regarding the "frlvo-
Ions writings of Clyde Fitch. which
are VIGOROUSLY supposed to be turned
oAt with unceasing and tantalizing regu-
larity, he never fails to excite the in
terest OF public and press in Whatever
re threatens TO produce
That same spirit OF anticipation per-
AIDED the house before Mrs. Blood
goods appearance in r'fhe Girl With the
Green Eyes. and when the play was
over. opinions regarding its merits and
deEerits We're evidently as numerous and
az divergent as the most ambitious play
wright could wish for.
The Girl With the Green Eyes
deals with the insane Jealousy Of a
yopng wife for the husband whom she
has just married. and whom she un-
justly suspects Of a clandestine firta-
tipn with enc OF her bridesmaids. The
play starts with the lightest and frothi-
est COMEDY, and gradually drifts into
what promises 10 be real tragedy.
old-Time Methods.
IN expanding his theme, Clyde Fitch
has employed many Of his old-time
methods and tendencies. He has taken
his people from the sO-called smart set
and given TO his play the atmosphere
generally supposed to enveiop this
life He has missed putting into the
mouths OF his players many of the quips
that characterize his other works. but
in lieu of this he has given a definition
and an Illustration Of the demon jeal-
ousy that F-sest strike terror TO the
hearts Of most men and bring a sur
reptitiOus wave OF never again 10 the
woman who viii not believe the man
she loves and who insists upon never
ending explanations Of the things ne
does when not in her presence.
Although Mr.. Fitch has exaggerated
his Illustrations by TOO frequent rope
titions. there is something commendable.
after ali. IN his holiness in so badly
presenting 10 the glare of public con-
sheraton a passion so closely and sa-
credly allied TO ones inner life.
As ~Jirny" Austin.
The character OF jimmy Austin. por-
trayed by Mrs. Bloodgc0d. is one which
may be met with any day and almost
anywhere In the world. There are. OF
course. as many kinds of a Jealous wo-
man as there are, enc might be tempted
10 say, women themselves for nearly
everyone may be accredited with just
spark. II nothing more, Of this pas
sion. But In the woman represented
By Mrs. Bloodgood. one sees the in
fiammabie passion of Jealousy stirred
into life By an absorbing love, the
strength Of which il IS almost impos-
sible TO measure and equally impossible
70 conceive II IS IN the thought that
she would give everything for the man
whom she loves better than all else IN
the world combined, that this indomi-
table spirit takes new life every time
there IS the slightest intlmation that
someone else figures on his horizon
Il Is the untamed spirit that looms
up and laughs IN her face just when
she Is assuring herself that hereafter
she viii be big IN spite Of herself. and
all sr.N III - - - "a
unseihsh and trustful
The man IS character. also that
comes into the line Of ones vision dav
f1ter day. de IS honest. big hearted. 1
and faithful without the slightest spark /
y jealousy IN his makeup, and conse-
Guently unable TO understand the heart /
ache that goads the woman on 10 al /
most wreck both their lives.
A veritable Triumph.
In her portrayal of "JInny" Austin.
the Jealous wife Mrs Bioodgood scored
a veritable triumph Her comedy scenes /
were delightfully natural. but it was in
more serious moments o. the part that
she rose far above any heights in dra-
matte work she has hitherto attained. /
In the quarrel scene Of the third act
and again at the finale Of the same. she /
was admirable and surprised even the
most optimistic Of her admirers.
The deiicacy of her work Is particu-
iArly manifest in the several scenes in |
which she seeks the forgiveness OF the |
man whom she has. continued 10 wound \
deeply By her suspicious. Despite the
Frequency OF these scenes. Mrs. Blood |
good never deViates from her accustona- ;
ed finish She does not grow tireSome 4
nor allow enc 20 realize that Mr. Fiteh 4
10 truly exi Egfragns his motive. jim /
py's" im5r0mptu vaudeville perform /
ance, Tor the purpose Of bringing the 1
aulsfe again 10 her husband face. was 4
= pleasing little surprise 20 Mrs Blood i
goods friends.
Supportiag Mrs. Bloodgood.
Robert Drouet plays the husband 4
With much repose and dignity In the
heavier scenes he kept himself well IN j
hand. and gave the audience the pleas
ure OF seing what might have proved
q cheap melodramatic scene converted
into repreased ane wholly consistent
bit Of work
Grant Mitchell furnished much Of fhet
comedy as victim Of Indigestion. II
would hardly BE- fair 10 al least one !
member Of Inc cast not 70 mention a /
rne bit Of work ~ the first act This
Hae done By Edith Shayne. who PLAYED
the part OF housemaid. and was the