Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-08


Caderousse, an innkeeper. Harry Andrews
Albert Mercedes son ..... Charles Ruggles
Able Faria, prisoner in the Chateau
DIN .,..,........, James IA. AppieDee
Monsieur Morei, owner of the Pharon.
Observation-Disclosures. ........ Harry spear
Brigadier of Gendarmes. Louis Chaudet
A sentry Observation-Disclosures Joseph DALEY
A Tailor Observation-Disclosures. Charles Buck
Mercedes, betrothed to Edmond Dantes
...................M Miss That's Magrane
Carconte, Caderousse's wife. ...........
................ Miss Adele Harrington
Mile. Danglars. .......... Miss Beth Taylor
Marie, "a maid ............ Miss Fay Banter
BY W. HERBERT BLAKE
No better drama was ever plucked
from between book covers than Monte
Cristo." In its second decade of stage
life the thrilling story Of Edmund
Dantes. the avenger, is still as young
as the genius of the elder French ro-
manticists. To all the natural attrl-
butes of melodrama it joins the ardor
and vivacity of the astonishing creole
who conceived 1t. Main action and nu-
merous subplots all find a place in its
coherent acting version, and the STIR
ring scenes which enthralled our child
hood are wrought in passionate flesh
and blood as real as life.
The Belasco company is giving an
interesting and very creditable Ver-
sion of the play this week-one Of the
best Of its recent offerings. Mr.. Stone
is letter perfect in the part of Dantes
from years of playing It, and invests
the role with virilty and intense feel
ing. one detail of makeup which
failed to accord with the traditions of
both book and stage is his complexion
as the count in act 3. Much is made
bv the author of Monte Cristo's tragic
and unnatural pallor. 1t was ruddy,
If haggard Monte Cristo who cried
"One!" over the PROSTATE Nillefort
last night.
Sharing equally with Mr.. Stone in
first honors were Mr.. Camps droll ana
daring Nortier and Mr.. Vivians con-
science stricken Fernand. Mr.. Scott
made a polished and mocking VILE
fort, but was hampered at times by
an intrusive and unconscious comedy
method which brought his impersona-
ton near to the verge of the farcical
A jovial, rotund Caderousse was that
of Harry Andrews, and spirited AL
bert de Moncerf was embodied by Mr.
Ruggles. Mr.. Yerance spoke his lines
excellently, but played Danglars in
somewhat too heavy a manner to en-
tirely suit the romantic motif of the
play.
In his brief opportunity as the Abbe
Faria, Mr. Applebee produced strik-
ing and ghastly impression beneath the
frowning fortress of the Chateau dlf.
Mr.. Spear was wanting at moments in
the dignity with which the novelist
endowed Morel. Miss Magrane showed
exquisite versatility in her portrayal
Of the girl Mercedes, later changed by
the weight of her sorrows to a ma
tron with a haunting memory. The
other feminine roles were well taken,
particularly Miss Farringtons Car
conte.
A few slips in French were notice.
able and at least three pronunciations
of "Marseilles" were offered to suit
the varying tastes of the audience.
Without intention to be pedantic, 1t
might be pointed out that the French
official is a "prefect,' not perfect"
and that the word violent" has three
necessary syllables. In other respects
the intricate and taxing stage version
OF the novel was presented in way
to crafty those of us who believe
that accurately spoken English is one
of the first requirements of pleasing
dramatic production.
The staging was consummate and
the more elaborate sets complete and
quite conducive to the requisite ro-
mantle Illusion. The scenes in the
Chateau DIFF and on the raging sea,
in particular, were produced in elabor-
ate and faithful imitation of Mr..
ONeill's famous presentation
The Belasco company has done well
to revive "Monte Cristo." 1t may be
less painfully modern than "The Climb
ers," but it is much better entertain
ment.
Lavelle and Grant in feats of
strength, amply earn the right to head
line the new vaudeville bill at the Los
Angeles theater. They open their act
with a series Of grotesque posings, in
which the audience is given an oppor-
tunity TO watch the play of muscles on
chest and arms as their proud possess
ors contract and expand them. Later
the team performs a few feats in hand
which achieve novelty as well
as the interest attaching to physical
danger Their work Is done with IA
Cility and is agreeable to watch.
Frobel and Ruge balance on re-
pole in mid-air and utter much
grotesque gibberish which passes for
They have the comic spirit
but fail to give 1t vent in any effective
or patter. Their makeups are
droll--one is an exaggerated version of
the yellow Kid and the other China
they laugh as If they be-
lieVed in themselves
Josephine Ainslie has a voice well
suited to the mock sentimental ballad
with which she makes her entrance.
She lacks much i'm comedy equipment,
and might have made a worthier selec-
ton of songs. She sings distinctly, in
which she occupies a unique coign of
vantage among most vaudeville warb-
erg.
A capital ventriloqual act is pre-
sented by Charles e. Colby, assisted by
Lilly e. May as a dancing girl. The
lines of the sketch are clever and the
execution of the deception very capable.
Except for the dancing, which is not
their act scores q we'll de-
served success.
Killion and Moore apparently are new
n the field of song and dance. They
ire willing workers and at times cap
.ure the laughs. A better climax to
heir act would greatly improve it, !
Their personalities are pleasing, a fact
which helps them to weather the fire.
luently rough places in their vehicle.
"Mister Stranger" the playlet by Oil |
yer White in which Howard Missimer |
Allen Mathes and j. w. Lucier appear |
S well labeled "fantastic." It's plot is |
he extravagant narration of a battle |