Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-21

ton suggests rather vividly some OF
his other more recent roles, but is sc
genuinely comical at times as to over
power serious consideration. Mr.. Glib
iyn does his best work since "a Milk
White Flag" at the Burbank, and bet
ters that in point of vim and enthusi-
asm. Mr.. Oaks has one good chance
when, as the wounded tackle, he cries
out. as the echoes of the struggle reach
him, How I wish / hadn't forgotten
how to pray!" This is one of the AIDE
touches which every "old grad" knows
to be true TO life.
Messrs. Trask and Wilkes were gem
uine looking students-that is, they
walked and smoked like them. And
that crowd of "supers" in the second
act bore marked resemblance to the
collegiate supernumeraries who study
and make grades, and supply the lung
power when the real educational busi-
ness of winning gridiron contests is
before the house. That business of
cheering from the field during the prog
ress of the game should be made more
snappy and animated. No eleven could
smash it's way into the lead with a
flulSe handicap of five under the puny
Inspiration of such weak lunged root
ing' as we heard last night from the
bleachers. The cheers should also pune
tuate the conversation with greater fire.
uuency. I wanted to go on the stage
myself and root" for Atwater.
In the same way, that triumphal
procession bearing the hero came off
the field before the squad had had
time to pick themselves up. 1t was
quick, exciting action. but 1t wasn't
art, because 1t couldn't possibly have
happened.
Miss Beatrice Noyes did the best
comedy work OF the evening as "a
prominent waitress" Her impersona-
tion is true as a cameo to the type in
the small college town. To hear her
say, "I hadn't saw" is an exquisite
pleasure. There was no evidence of
acting in her work. IT was complete,
and it was compact, and to those who
have seen her recently in minor parts
or those which misfitted her tempera-
ment it was surprise one would like
to see repeated.
Miss Harrington acted the athletic
girl better than her physical charac-
teristios permitted her to look the role.
She should show more evidence of
breathless excitement in the moment
when she acts as gridiron courier to
the faithful assembled behind the big
gates Miss DreXel added nothing
particularly noteworthy to an un-
gracious role. but showed a degree of
generalship in handling the feminine
ensembles" Miss BANTER made all
she could of a part which could easily
have been obscured in less persistent
hands.
1.-THE College Widow" is a sound
jolly play that makes one glad he is
an American, and doubly grateful for
his campus memories. The last act
for a moment touches the bedrock of
reality, and gives us a hint of what
it's author could do in a great, pur-
poseful play If he would set his hand
to 1t. The Belasco players assume its
roles as If they thoroughly enjoyed It,
In fact, the zest and esprit de corps of
this organization just now is one of
the most inspiring things in local
stagedom. To love ones work is close
kin to doing it well.
The seat sale for 1.-THE Merry Wild
ow'' at the Mason will begin tomorrow
morning at o'clock,
Every number on the Los Angeles
bill this week was worth engaging and
repays seeing-which is a rare virtue
in any vaudeville program. Not the
least of the attractions are the two Sc
ries of moving pictures, the former of
them replete with whimsical French
humor.
The Torleys do the old bicycle feats
in a cheerful, hearty manner that halts
Your yawn half way, and with a de-
liberation which gives you a chance to
digest each turn. They conclude their
act with several novelties, and they
smile all the while, whether they hit 1t