Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17

The palmy days of the drama have not
returned Mr.. Louis James is one of the
few remaining representatives OF the OLD
school. They were days that bred big men,
men capable of profoundly impressing the
popular mind by sheer massiveness They
bred their share of masqueraders. too.
Many time have bullying bceps and
basso profundo voice passed for genius.
The theater-going public would not pause
this week to hearken unto the majestic
rage of Virginius, to the rugged WOO
ings of Ingomar The craft OF Richelleu
tempted 1t but little more. Yet Mr.. James
played them all finely. Well-grounded In
his profession he also possesses a person
ality which makes him look the noble Ro-
man from sole to crown. But who cares
for noble Romans now? When tragedies of
the Virginius type flourished Rome was
familiar to every school boy. The old re-
public was studied and revered as proto-
type of ouor own government whose future
was yet before 1t. and whose safety might
require some such sacrifices as handed
down the names of those old heroes who
held life as little and honor as everything.
Now we don't sacrifice our lives We In
sure them, and then hold Investigations.
1t is a practical era. The mathematics of
existence has overshadowed the sentiment.
We are busy now counting the revolu-
lions per minute OF a fly wheel, or In cal
cula ting the effect OF crop conditions on the
Industrial world. An Appius Claudius could
not exist among us. We would turn him
over to the nearest grand jury long before
he waxed bold enough to attempt any
such atrocious abuse of official authority.
lima Eination refuses to come to the as
sistance OF the author as II did in the
time when Rome and Athens, though CEN
turtles away. were stin the capitals of the
literary and historic world. We WI con-
jure up no pictures of mighty clashes be
tween Hctors and citizens with only two
sparse rows OF frightened strlphngs
to invite the illusion. We must be shown.
The incredulity that was once attributed
TO Missouri alone has become a national
characteristic Tradition touches us not.
We are running street railways in Jeru-
salem and building car shops above the
tombs of our ancestors. A Roman play, be
1t by knowles, Shakespeare or Belasco and
Long, is viewed period play. 1t must
measure up to the scene magnifcence
which the modern theater has developed.
or no eloquence of speech can compel In
terest Out in the uncrowded west, where
men throw out their chests, breathe deep
and feel that American air Is better than
any other air on earth, the tragedian finds
sensiblIity. But the modern mood of US
who push into the cities and struggle, not
for patriotic or personal ideals but for
mere lucre Is not for high-strung senti-
ment. This is not to say that the city
audience will endure only frivolity. Its
mind is alert, even if it's imagination is
not very responsive. 1t follows with keen
interest the psychology of Hamlet. 1t will
observe with close attention the clash of
human purpose with destiny in Romeo and
Juliet. Lacking for better, it will strive to
digest the so-called problem play. But 1t
has no patience with the mere declaration
Of abstract heroics. And failing to find
material TO satisfy this higher demand, 1t
turns to the study of what is about US IN
hope of some hint for human action that
can be understood. Even the gallery god
once his most loyal supporter has turned
from the tragedian. He does not want
Louis James. He wants Jesse James.
y
The Bad Samaritan" has brought Its
author, Mr.. George AIDE up to crisis
II, his career A number of the profession
al critics of New York, critics who had
managed a week or so before TO down
"The Prodigal Son." with a gulp and
smack went after this harmless bit OF
bucolic gee II it were a thing accurst
To venture a purely personal opinion, no
play could be as bad as they said THE
Bad Samaritan" is, unless Hall Caine wrote
It, There was something prophetic in the
lines of the piece that described the Il
ew-him-when" club and the Missouri
family" sitting on its shoulder blades out
fl front, saying show me-" They shook
their hands in the air and called the world
20 witness that It was the worst ever and
- ,,+ he chr Of
ago THE Christian" was treated in the
same way. II was not roasted. 1t was
burned and its ashes seemingly scattered
upon the waters of oblivion. But audiences
assembled and The Christian" became SO
permanent and prosperous an institution
that Mr.. Game rose in reverence until his
own opinion of his work wholly prepon-
derated over anything that might be said
In print. Should MIR. AIDES latest play
prove success It will leave him practical
~ independent of hrst-night comment in
the future. The fun-loving public will
refused 10 be guided by expert opinion
and turn to AIDE az II used to turn to
Hoyt with friendly predisposition and en-
tire confidence. Hoyt scored every
now and then after first night, but he
wrote only one complete failure. and that
was the last play he ever wrote. If. on the
oher hand the popular verdict rejects The
Bal Samaritan Mr. AIDE wi.i have TO prac-
ticaly begin life anew and submit his next
production Just Out of College" as an un-
known quantity. devoid of prestige and a
humble petition for kind applause. Mr.. AIDE,
as he appears in delivering certain speech.
does not seem to be a man likely to be-
come naughty and egotistical. Yet human
nature is weak and perhaps such chasten-
ing would be for the best. He might be-
~ IT,. Hall vt.
eventually produce as bad a play as The
Prodigal Som
PHILANDER JOHNSON.