The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-26


"A GENTLEMAN FROM MIssIs-
SIPPI."
That the American public likes what is
sane and wholesome on the stage is evil
denced by the success OF a Gentleman
From Mississippi here and elsewhere.
The welcome accorded the play last night
was worthy Of the best traditions of this
tneatre-lOving community. Seven and
eight curtain calls at the end of each act
showed genuine appreciation. "A Gen
tleman From Mississippi is a notable
drama of American civic life, and strikes
a popular note. in that it discusses
question of vital interest TO American cit
liens. A phase of public life is dramatized
that needs illumination and assurance.
That the nation is not sold out 10 the
corporations by the United States senate
all believe, and the play treasures on that
point clearly and humOrOusly, and one
goes away certain that there are Senator
LangdOns to save the state.
There is human interest in the play that
grips hard on the sympathies. Though
Senator LangdOn is first seen in the lobby
of the international hotel on his arrival
at Washington. one realizes him at his
home in Mississippi, the staunch, loyal
southerner of simple ways and honest
dealings. That he was made senator TO
be a party tool is the best joke Of this
thoroughly humorous and delightful play
He turns the joke in the end, wholly but
generously discOmfiting his enemies.
Their plan was to secure his influence and
vote in the selection of AltacOola as a
naval base. one congressman entangIes
the senator himself through a worthless
son in the disreputable land deal IN Al
tacOola, which depends for its value on
the establishment Of the naval base. NOT
withstanding this complication, the SEN
atOF remains firm, the son and daughter
must take their medicine and he re-
fuses to profit by the transaction. He
also is resolved to defeat the plans OF the
steel corporation men, but does not see
his way clear
The plan adopted at the last moment is
masterpiece. Senator LangdOn declares
that he viii go before the senate, where
he is scheduled to speak, and, in recon-
mending AltacoOla as the proper naVai
base. explain that he and other senator's
m order to prevent the defrauding of the
government, themselves bought all avail
able land in the place, which they are
prpDared to turn over at the price PAID
for In Then he defies the corporation
senators to deny this before the senate.
1t is hard to OVeTestimate James Lack
ave I'm his Interpretation OF TINS FOle. MS
Donderous figure. his husky voice, his
drou humor. are the ideal conception OF
the genial southerner. In this case II Is
the play and James Lackaye that are the
thing When other actors interest us Dy
| their acting, he is the senator hlmseh'
and we lose the fact of acting in follow
| ing the fortunes of this very real man
Three scenes are prominent in this role
his meeting with the old colonel. the
| scene with his children. and his final set
| Element with the senat tors In them ne
rises to fine emotional heights that are
| the final touch to the character OF this
| simple and lovable gentleman.
/ Second in Importance is the part or Buu
/ Haines taken by Osborne Searle. He is
secretary to the senator and in love witt
one of the daughters. As secretary, IN
/ the real affairs of the senate DEAL Mr
/ Searle is admirable, but is not so good as
a lover. He gives the effect OF effort II
that role and Of being at home in the
more serious work which he no doubt
| estimates at it's true importance
! In fact, throughout the love interest IS
/ almost lost to sight. This makes the wo
mems parts subordinate and they are no
very well done. Mrs. Spangler, by Olive
Harper, is best played, though it puzzles
one to know what bearing her affair ma!
on the rest of the action. Evidently sh'
is scheming, but not successfully
The clean. fine story is Of the sort bes
liked today on the stage, as witnessed By
the success of this play and others OF it
kind 1t is excellent. Everyone should
see II for its live human interest. Th'
play runs the week at the Salt Lake the
atre, with Wednesday and Saturday mat