The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-24
AT THE THEATERS
Observation-Disclosures"

The long shot, that will o. -the-wisp that
has lured so many to ruin, saves the day
for the hero Of the latest racing comedy.
Checkers. ''": Breaking his promise to the
girl he is striving to win, he lays her keep
sake on a. 100 o-1-Shot, wins 900 and
energies triumphant from a difficult sit
uation.4: The girl, being only human, finds
it easier to forgive a Winner:.than loser
and besides, she loves him. 1t takes
more than big winning on horse race,
however, to bring over her hard headed
father, but the hero accomplishes this task
by the simple expedient Of stopping run
on the old gentlemans bank and: all is
we'll. ..,. 80.
Whatever may be said. about the ethics
| of such a play-and there can be no doubt
that its lesson Is a false and harmful one
-"Checkers' is a very entertaining pro-
duction, following the lines of Henry M.
Blossom, Jr.'s, slang: novel. :. Its con-
struction is rather illogical AND the action
is somewhat. disjointed,; Nevertheless,
like it's prototype, TN Old Kentucky" it
possesses elements of popularity that
atone for all it's shortcomings. The first
three acts give contrasting pictures, each
realistically striking, Of different phases
of life The first is in the hectic atmos-
phere of Hot Springs hotel, where the
guests are all sports Or invalids. The Sec
ond shows the life Of a quiet little village
|
third takes place in the betting ring of the
racetrack at Chicago. The fresh comedy
Of the piece bubbles forth in a. constant
stream. It depends to a large extent or
= the picturesque slang which forms the
O.. .vernacular of the hero and his toutns
friend, and on the contrast between theil
urban talk and the rustic language of thu
natives. The purely. comedy character
are much exaggerated no doubt, but the,
strof he Ian hc' oroI hot :,
asked? - - y -
I Thomas w. Ross plays the hero with
restraint and poise that make the -imper
i sonat ion- admirably natural and effective
4 Evineing the phlegm: of thes*true "sport,
he yet contrives to reveal the sincerit
j. and sense of honor that actuate Check
ers. He has an undoubted talent 10
!. comedy of the native American sort, an
should be heard from in the future DaVi
Braham, Jr:, with his high pitched voice
staggering ways and original slang
Emakes an interesting figure Of the yoln
racing tout Two excellent village char
j.. acters are the skinf1int old banker q
!, Joseph Wilkes and his enemy, old Uncl
\ Jerry, by Charles Willard. The latter
y boisterous approval of Checkers stories
when he finally sees the point, and eth
way in which his fondness for them !
utilized to his undoing, make deliciou
bits of comedy. Wallace Worsley play
! Checkers chum and rival very effectivel!
:. his best work being done In the drunke
!. scenes of the first act Katherine Mu
. Ekfns makes "a -lovable sweetheart tft
= Checkers and Harriet Worthington fl
:. the picture as her best friend. To Lydi
- Dickson is confided%tfle comedy charactt
!, Of the maidservant; who is dazzled by tt
= attentions of the tout, and she works OF
II a most amusing. bit along isis Hopkins
lines. If overdone, tits at least clevt
: carfcature. -. 49,. x. So. !.
The. company is a large one and in I'll
racing sceneathe stage is crowded Wit
= supernume raries to give At realism. The,
!. is also a band Of dancing negro boys ar
Il girls who win high favor with their al
- tics. Despite theElong waits, the audien
!, seemed enthusiastic over. the. producti,
y and called Mr. Ross before the curtain
: express his aeknowle dgments y
81 -. w. B.. Chamberlain.