The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-11

hearing. Critical estimate of it's value as both play and vehicle varies in the re- views printed on the day following it's production there, in the Circle thetaer. But, judging from the length of its run in that playhouse, the public was of one mind concerning 1t. A play is not now adays kept on in New York unless 1t be backed by popular indorsement.
 MT. Mann possesses. in the title part of '"The Man Who Stood Still,' what he has long sought-a role giving him the op1 portunity to display his talent for acting along lines other than those of eccentric German dialect comedy which he has been following well nigh without let-up since his first hit in "The Girl from Paris" eleven years ago. The title of MT. Goodmans play-with it's suggestion of Kipling's two masterpieces, ''The Man Who Was" and "The Man Who Would Be King'-is not entirely symbolical for , John Krauss, the role acted by MT. Mann, is of the type that stands still. He Is of Swiss birth, and reeks with the tradi- tions of the Fatherland. He can see no reason why he should change from the modes and methods that his forbears pur- sued for years.
 So he runs his little tewelry shop in his own way, paying small heed to the fact that his trade, once big Is being absorb ed by rival who typifies American push, fiiSNoh Hihl uubti6 AS ne IS m DuS1- ness 90 is he in his domestic affairs When young man at home, he married girl picked out for him by his father, loved her afterward, and incurred her death. So. he thinks 1t only right that his own daughter should marry the man he picks out for her-the son of an old chum. But the girl, depressed by the austerity of her fathers outlook on life. has fallen victim to the fiashy attrac- tiveness of dancing-school haberdashed youth, the son of her fathers determined business opponent, and, urged by the old man to hasten her affair with the young German American of his choice winds ,Ip by eloping with the other fellow, who thoughtfully takes with him the watch- makers spare cash.
 It is in the emotional crisis precipitated by and growing out of the elopement that MT. Mann is said to find such capital on portuntty for an exhibition of his artistic virtuosity. But there is for him a great deal of incidental relief-suoh, for exam pie: as the penuchie game in Act III. This has been described by the critics as one of the most laughable exhibitions of legitimate low comedy ever offered on the New York city stage.
 MT. Mann comes with a cast that is plentffully marked by good names. For example, there is Mathilde Cottrelly. all ways an exquisite genre actress. as
 
 guide, philosopher and friend, and q mother to his mother1ess daughter. let ting her own love affair die of dry-rot be- cause she win not leave her stubborn. selfish old brother. And there Is Robert A. Fischer. one of the best of aIl-round actors, as bumptious, self-important. nag ging Edward Spiegel Krauss churn. Emily Ann Wellman. one of William A. Brady's new finds among pretty ingenues who can act Lillian Sinnott, remembered as Mile James, clever successor fin 'Lovers' Lane;" H. A. LaMotte, Leslie Bassett, P. s. Barrett, John Charles 0n character as Jewish immigrant that has won a lot of attention for the socio- logical aspect of the play). Gladys Nal vern and Frank Julian round out the cast which was the subject of general critical praise in New York.
 MT. Brady is said to have staged the play with matchless realism, in both material and subjective sense.