Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-22
THE CAST

Phoebe Brundage. .......... .Maude Gilbert
Estelle Singleton. .......... Elsie Esmond
Mrs. Eileen Wilmott. Florence Oberle
Nora MoreH ................. Mango Dunet
Kate Observation-Disclosures. Inez Raglan
Ruth ....................s .Fanchon Lewis
Clara OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Evelyn Hall
Chauffeur, c0achman, guests, etc.
BY sIDLE LAWRENCE
Sc 4 Society Pilot" the new Morosco-
n Bachman play, revealed yes
terday at the Burbank for the
first time on any stage, should have
long and profitable run. 1t was tre-
mendously well received by large au-
dience last night and the single week
set apart for its presentation probably
will have to be extended. Both" Mr.:
Morosco and DIR. Bachman were called
before the curtain and both were re-
| quired to make speeches. Mr.. Morosco
responded in a little talk in which he
thanked the audience for its express
sions of kindly approval, thanked the
actors for the interest they had taken
In his work and thanked the stage at
taches of the theater for their labors
in the mechanical department. After
he had retired DIR. Bachman appeared,
bowed and said simply 81 merely want
to indorse what Mr.. Morosco SAID. he
has said 1t ALL
The plays conspicuous merits are an
excellent story of unusual development
and characterization and of sustained
interest, and an ever-present CELEBRITY OF
action. Its faults-none of them vital
rest in an over-accentuation OF one
character needlessly strong empna-
sis upon certain points the authors de-
sire to make and a failure to explain
certain matters of moment upon when
the development depends.
Tn explanation of this fault finding
II believe the Malaproprian habit OF
speech under which Mrs. Mason lapors
is exaggerated beyond the BOUNDS OF
probability. In homeopathic ,quanti-
ties the lfguistic difficulties of this rich
mans wife should prove amusing.
There is, however, too much OF It; one
can have too much, you know, even Oh
good thing.
over-Emphasis OF Point
AS to the over-emphasis of point.
Here Is an incident, not important IN
the plays plot, but characteristic ana
thoroughly illustrative Of the idea 1
am trying to convey. In the Iourtn
act Mason. who has been depleted all
through the play as a domineering,
irascible old man, highly self-opinion-
ated, calls up upon the telephone NEG
Singleton, whom he has insured anu
buliied continually since their nrst
meeting, He gives his name and,
after an interval, says: 20, l can go
to hell. can L? Here, just you walt
minute" Then Mason apologies. The
apology is full and abject. 1t Is SO
| foreign to the old mans character
| that it's effect upon Singleton, at tme
other end of the line. can be predi-
Gated with absolute accuracy his
humble Die eaten, the old man Is
quiet for a moment and then says:
ives. this is Mason" That line en-
bodies a touch deft, not too subtle,
but DR.. Bachman, whose concern IN
this play has been the writing OF the
dialogue, needlessly celebrates 1t py
making Mason add: "No. I am not
drunk" Doubtless he finds his vim
dieation in the increased laughter
which greets the line. Personally, 1
should sacrifice that laugh and others
like 1t.
should be supplied. Singleton has be-
come Masori's debtor in consider
able sum, giving for the money paio
him his services as society pilot 70
the Mason family. His consent 10 TINS
arrangement had been obtained only
because ne was bankrupt. A rev
weeks later, however, he tires OF MS
bargain and nonchalantly repays TO
Mason every cent the social climber
has advanced him, despite the fact
that he had expended 5000 OF the
money to settle pressing loan. HOW
he is enabled to buy himself out OF MS
unpleasant predicament does not ap-
pear in the stage story.
Merits Are Fundamental
All these, however, are little things;
errors that may be easily remedled II
the co-authors wish to remedy them
The merits are fundamental. To begin
with Mr.. Morosco has given us story
new to the stage and of compelling in-
terest, while DR.. Bachman mas pre-
scented that story through the meoium
of characters correctly orawh-sa'o -,
the single instance already noted-and
with fine cumulative interest. the play
moves briskly; so brisxly. In fact, that
there is little time for obtruslvely
"smart" speeches. 1t is q play or &C.
ton, not play upon words.
There are melodramatic incidents IN
the play, but most of them are good
melodrama. Once, in the second act
climax. the melodrama is somewhat TOO
mellow. but-and this should nullify the
criticism from a managerial stand
point-this very scene developed the
most enthusiastic applause OF the even
ing.
| the authors have created character OF
marked sympathy. and of finely numor-
Gus quality. The old servant, too' Is
exceliently drawn. In fact. there is
nothing Of the puppet displayed In any
of the people of the play. They are
living, rational men and women saneiy
depicted. ~
In consideration of the acting there
| is no need for qualifying phrases; nc
need to call attention to the fact that
this is stock performance of a new
play, following only one week OF re-
hearsals Members of the Burbanh
company richly merit the thanks ac-
corded them by Mr.. Morosco for the
admirable manner In which they pre-
sent his work.
Mestayer and CHM
Perhaps first honors of the evening
should go to Harry Mestayer and HI
]. CHM, both Of whom do very ex'
| cellent work in their respective parts
Mr.. Mestayer's baron is nothing short
| Of an achievement, both IN elocutior
and femeanor Evidently he knows his
| Ollendorfr and can conjugate the vert
| ito love" in Teutonese as well as hi
l IA 81