The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-05
AIDES NEW PLAY
A GREAT SUCCESS
'The Bad Samaritan" Finds
Instant Favor.
PREMIERE AT THE COLUMBIA
Brilliant Audience Applauds Every
Scene-Author, Called Before Cur
tain, Expresses His Thanks.

George AIDES new comedy, THE Bad
Samaritan. produced by Henry W
Savage. was launched under the most
favorable auspices at the Columbia
Theater, last night. Like other works
of the genial author that have had
their premieres in Washington this also
was received with every mark of public
favor-a large and brilliant audience, I'M
limited applause, enthusiastic demon
strations OF approval at the close of
every act. vociferous demands for the
appearance of the author. which finally
met with Enthusiastically modest re-
sponse-
In this particular Instance the occa-
sion was invested with still greater
eclat by the presence of the Marine Band
in the lobby OF the theater before the
rise of the curtain. where. under the
leadership of Lieutenant Santelmann n
serenade was given in honor of Mr..
Savage because of this managers great
achievements In the domain OF lyric
after the close OF the performance, at
the Raleigh Hotel.
Contains a Moral.
The Pad Samaritan is conceived and
written In Mr.. AIDES happiest vein. 1t
that ii shows the folly of putting men
in circumstances of affiuence without
precedent effort on their part. It also
again impresses the lesson that urasked
and lavish favors create in the recipient
merely an unreasonable demand for still
greater concessions, and that. as n rule,
gratitude is not 10 be expected by the
dispenser
The story tells the experiences OF Ike
Gridley. an elderly business man who.
after forty years in the hide and taIlow
line. feels an inclination to retire and to
turn his establishment over to mis-
nephew. Alonzo Gridley. He soon discov-
ers his mistake and then sets out 10 be-
come bcnefactor to all the world and its
relations. He showers wealth on all
sorts of impecunious people by whom
his life subsequently is made burden
to rim and finally returns to he village
vhefsce first he had started on l1is var
ieils rmilanthropic Undertaking. POUNDS
nasiSes-and weds lovabie old maid.
Witty and Humorous.
From first TO las; the play abounds
In grotesque. but not unlikely. situa tons
The dialogue is crisp and sparlsles with
witty and numerous lines. Slang OF
the KIND that does not offend, but
which in time enriches the vernacular
h WIN COnSummate ski
and all that Tho Bad Samaritan
needs is just such a clever ensemble o.
comedians as have 1t hand now
Richard Golden holds the center o.
the stage as Uncle Ike Gridfey0 TIL.
part fits him like the paper on tn,
WALL Not once does he Yield to tn.
temptation to oVeract, but keeps hi.
Character consistently within the line.
Of plausibrity.s No more exquisite bi
has hoo
here in many a day than George Mar
ions Signor P.etro Gargelina; In make
up. in speech, and gesture it is an abso
lutely finished picture
Another excellent impersonation is III,
Eugene Spillars of Harry Stone Flu
gene in his bGcoic days has nourishet
the humble ambition to be a veterin
arian. but under the influence Of Grid
ley.s benefactlons this blossoms out int
desire TO be q Wall Street broker
Finally he finds his level as a. book
able income and choice assortment o
race track slang. Mr.. Stone made on
OF the decided hits Of the evening
An Excellent Cast.
In the female contingent of the com
pany Anne Sutherland shines with gen
tie briiliancy as Susanna wheatley. tn
lovable old maid whom Uncle Ike
affections have fastened themselves
Grace Fisher is altogether charming a
Belle HInkle. who aspires to be a prim
donna, but has no voice, and Carolyl
Lee is excrutiatlngly ludicrous as Laur
Erisbee. Samuel Reed as Blueford Hig
gins. the Grabbed old hotel keeper. Ed
ward See Alonzo Gridley a hen
pecked husband; jacques Gruger as He
nier MCGEE. an inventor; l. Wadswort
Harris as Calhoun Galloway. a promote
of litigation. stood out distinct sue
cesses and all minor parts were
competent hands.
The stage settings showed the accus
toned panstaking lavishness of Nj
Savage. and were greatly admired.
and General Bates. accompanied b
ladies, occupied one of the boxes.