The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04


 "Thc Third Degree" at the Jefferson
 Charles Kleins appealing drama, "The Third Degree" which has to it's credit two seasons of very emphatic success, will be the attraction at the Jefferson on Monday night for three performances. including Tuesday matinee. Henry B. Harris is sending one of his very best dramatic or eanizations here in this play, and the announcement of its coming will doubt less be received with appreciation by playgoers who enjoy something really .s worth while. sss rfr
 '"rhe Third Degree" is generally con ceded to be MT. Klein's best work, a statement somewhat broad when his Music Master and "Lion and the Mouse''a are taken into account: but the author has been particularly fortunate In his selection of the theme of his latest work and has hit upon subject of wide spread importance. As the title sug- gests, the story of '"rhe Third Degree" is based upon methods employed by po- lice officials to extort confessions from persons accused of crime. While those fin the inner circle deny that the third degree system exists, it has been pretty exclusively proved that it does, and MT Klein in his story knows Its workings and its effects.
 The central character of the plot is young man. son a wealthy family, who while going the pace at college, meets and pnarries a girl thoroughly good, but of obscure parentage The young fellow is cast off by his family, becomes involved In financial difficulties and finally wakes up from a prolonged spree to find him self accused of murder and the police in possession of confession signed by him. The same has been obtained after a seven hours sweating process" and 1t is in the development of this story that MT. Klein points out so conspicuously the bad spots in the third degree system.
 The cast which Is to be seen here in c.udes Fernando Eliscu, James Seeley, Frazer Coulter Alfred Moore, Lyda Mac Milan, Earle Williams, Ralph Ramsay, Walter Craven, Harris l.. Forbes, Ed ward Lehay and James Cody. "The Third ! Degree" Is in four acts and has been mounted in extremely lavish style by MT Harris a-ss~rs
 "Ben Hur-
 For over 12 years the dramatization of "Ben-Hur,' classic alike as a literary masterpiece and as a stage spectacle, has swept the country with its splendid success, and now, in its twelfth season 0he play was produced the closing year of the nineteenth century and so became fitting prophecy of the magnitude of things dramatic in this twentieth cen 6 nificence in production if such a thing were possible, and of even more over towering triumph.
 The Lew Wallace drama is unioue in the world of the theatre because of it's wide appeal. It attracts not, only the regular theatre patron, but that more dif- ficult audience-the people of the church. Ministers and students of Biblical lore have delighted in its pictures of Pales- tine and it's big facts of the Christ life on earth. together with the spirit, of rev erence with which the great story of the Redemption has been treated.
 Yet it is not alone this sub-strata of religious feeling which has made Ben Hur'' the greatest drama of the tims, for It's marvellous success is also .attribu- table to the powerful dramatic story the struggle of the righteous Prince of Hun with the false and villainous Mes sala. Interwoven with the love story, which is one of the most beautiful in modern literature. the spirit of Jesus life and influence runs like a thread of gold.
 The sublime climax of the spectacle, the entry of the Son of Man into Jerusa- lem in triumph on that glorious first Palm Sunday, surrounded by a throng of fol- lowers who acclaimed Him "King of Judea," while they strewed flowers In His railway, waved palm branches and raised their voices in exultant praise of His power and glory--is a scene once looked upon never to be forgotten Even the most hardened playgoer, even the most pronounced unbeliever. leaves the theatre after that grand tableau with tears of joy suffusing his eyes.
 At the time of its production Ben Hur'' 5was pronounced the most elaborate piece of staging ever attempted. It still holds first place, emphasizing that Wallace's drama is the sort the public wants Art and invention joined hands in making Ben Hur" the striking spectacle that it Is.
 The thrilling interest of the story is in- tensifed by wonderful mechanical con trivances which make possible the pre- ssenation of such thrilling incidents as the chariot race. with It's mettlesome steeds divided into quadruple teams urged on by the contestants; the sinking of the Ro- ran galley and the rescue. and the ap- pearance of the Star of Bethlehem.
 This wonderful attraction has been se- lscted for presentation at the Jefferson theatre on Thursday, Friday, and Satur- day evenings. December 15. IS and 17 Tn addition to the three evening perform siices there will be special matinee on