Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-15
FINDS PLAY Of
Los ANGELES
MANAGER BLACKW00D PROM
ISES A TREAT

A play written around Los Angeles,
the scenes OF which are laid in the old
mission of San Gabriel, in San Pedro,
Santa Ana and this whole region, the
characters including General Phil Kear-
ney, Commodore Stockton and the
American and Mexican leaders in the
stirring events prior to the capture of
this state by the United States forces,
the climax based on that capture and
the finale utilizing the arrival of
the American troops in Los Angeles
for the denouement-that is the find"
that Manager John II. Blackwood will
offer to the Belasco patrons within six
weeks. The play was contracted fol
by wire yesterday, and the book is now
on it's way here from the east.
Captain Courtesy" is the name Of
this find, and Edward Childs Carpenter
is it's author Mr.. Carpenter is a Phila-
delphian and has worked on several
plays with John Luther Long, who
wrote Mime. Butterfly" This play
itself was written several years ago
and Mr.. .Blackwood read the script once
soon after 1t was finished, when he was
in Washington. However, he had for
gotten all about it after coming west.
It's discovery at this time was purely
an accident.
Pass Bookshop
1T seems that Mr.. Blackwood. with
newspaper friend, was passing u
book shop down town one night last
week when he saw a window full of
red volumes.
Lets stop and see these" he said.
"Come on" said his friend, "look at
them some other time: I'm hungry"
But Blackwood paused The volumes
were all of one sort; they bore the
title. Captain Courtesy" and the au-
thor's name, Edward Childs Carpenter.
Mr.. Blackwood nearly had a fit.
me TO the telegraph office!" he
shouted.
Immediately a wire was sent to Mr..
Carpenter asking if the play was still
in existence, and could be obtained.
The favorable answer was received
yesterday.
"And the script is now on the way"
said Mr.. Blacllwood last night. "It
Will be produced just as soon as we
can get it ready. Special scenery will
be necessary and we will send our
scenic artist to the original scenes,
that they may be true to life. One
scene is laid at San Pedro, while the
final act takes place in the interior of
San Gabriel mission, which we will re-
produce perfectly"
Bandit in '46 War
The story of the play is based on the
stirring events leading up to the cap
ture of California from Mexico. in the
years OF 1858. Captain Courtesy" Is
the name by which young American.
goes, during his exploits as a bandit.
For revenge he takes up this course,
but he robs Mexicans. and all the funds
he obtains he turns over to the Amerl-
cans. who are struggling to free them
selves from the Mexican yoke.
There is a strong love interest, ths
girl being the ward of one of the padres
at San Gabriel. A renegade American,
who is secretly in the pay of the Mexi-
cans, is the villain, and the climax Of
the third act is a most thrilling one,
where the two men are battling first
with arms and later with words. for
the girls regard and their own lives,
each from the other The finale is
brought about by the arrival of thA
American troops from San Pedro,
guided by Captain Courtesy, and the
capture of Los Angeles city by Com
modore Stockton's men. While it is
laid in a room. yet the troops arrive.
on the exterior and enter, thus giving
fullest opportunity for patriotic en-
semble and fervor.
Written for Hackett
1.-THE book" said Mr.. Rlackwood
was written from the play and not
the reverse, as is usually the case, thus
making the play much stronger than
the story, which is unusual. Ordinarily
the play Is made from the novel, and
thus loses it's importance. The play
was written with James X. Hackett in
mind, and he had 1t under royalty for
two years, but The Wells of Jericho
came along and he had to sidetraek
this. Our presentation will be the first
on any stage, and you may rest as
sured that we will give it the finest
setting possible.
Lewis Stone will, of course. play the
captain, Glazier will be the villain,
Miss Gardner win be the girl, and
George Barnum will be the old padre,
while Vivian viii have the comedy
character, a young lrishman. The
whole cast will fit In admirably with
our players, and / think we will give
the people OF Los Angeles home
play that Will make them sit up and
take notice. / have read 1t, and outside
of the fact that 1t is local to Los An-
geles, which, OF course, adds much, 1t
is a very strong production"
The exact date of the plays presenta-
fion will be given later, but It will be
as soon as all preparations can be