Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
BELASCO OFFERS
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Lewis S. Stone Makes His First
Appearance as the En-
gIish Detective

The year 1910 should go down in his
tory as the period in which sherlock
Holmes" entered upon his second
avatar. In New York the famous de-
tective occupies two stages, Gillette
having revived his old success at one
house, while at another the new
Holmes play, 1.-THE Speckled Band"
is demonstrating the fact that there is
always market for good melodrama,
well played and acceptably staged.
Earlier In the year one of the maga-
zines printed a series recording a con-
flict between the famous English de-
tective and the notorious Partisan thief,
Arsene Lupin; while now the news
stands are offering another magazine
which this month begins new series
of Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Ar
Holmes seems again to nave become
the rage. and consequently the revival
Of the old play at the Belasco this week
is timely.
Though it has been seen in Los An
geles many times in the past, Sherlock
Holmes" is new to the Belasco and this
is Lewis Stones first appearance in
the role. He played it last night to
the very obvious satisfaction Of a
large audience, his methods differing
little from those adopted by his pre-
decessors in the part and his effects
gained through the contrast Of
Holmes quiet, almost blase demeanor,
with the strenuous behavior of the
various personages with whom he is
brought into conflict, from Professor
Moriarity and Jim Larabee down
through the long list of Moriaritys
tools.
It's good play, is sherlock
Holiness over theatric az times, with
its black stage at the rise and fall Of
curtains and it's very artificial spot
lights, but it carries with 1t tingle of
excitement and its action doesn't drag
for the smallest part of second.
Frank Camp plays Moriarity In the
Belasco presentation and handles the
role as 1t was meant to be handled,
to bring into stronger relief the char
acter of Holmes. Charles Giblyn as
Forman, Richard Vivian as Holmes
Boswell, DR.. Watson, Lloyd Bacon as
Sidney Prince and William Yerance as
Larrabee contribute characters of
worth, while Miss Viola Barry is pic
turesque and appealing as the maid.
The part of Alice Faulkner always is
dreaded by the actress called upon to
Miss Helene Sullivan fails in her eff
forts to instill life into a puppet char
acter.
The fun of Harry Van Fossen, the
cleverness Of T. Nelson Downs, the
skill of the Three Escardos an Camp
bell and Yates in thoroughly interest
ing sketch are four acts OF the eight
new numbers that stand out prom in
emily in this weeks bill at the Los An
geles thea er. Harry Van Fos en- is
comparatively unknown in Southern
California, but it is safe to say that be-
a iC hn wi h
established himself as a burnt cork"
comedian of the first rank. Like all
minstrel men, Van Foss EN- of course
appears before the audience in
grotesque makeup. His material is
bright and his method of putting it
on" makes everything he says draw a
laugh.
T. Nelson Downs is sleight of hand
performer who res riots his work to
coins, which he manipulates in so
clever manner that he keeps his
audience completely mystified Added
to his cleverness he has line of patter
talk that furnishes much fun through
out his performance.
In Two Hundred Miles from Broad
way" Edmund Day has written
sketch that is far above the usual play
let presented on the vaudeville stage.
Its central figu es are an ac ress,
SIIduuSQ III u lllIlc NSIAlOIIl SOWil, anu
a bookmaker who has been force to
escape from New York by Governor
Hughes, the inventor Of tire horseless
race track The sketch is capablv pre-
sented by Miss Yates as Dolly Dlmples
and Mr.. Campbell as Sam Higgins, the
bookmaker.
The Three Imperlas furnish music
and fun: the Three Escardos have a
fast and skillfuI acrobatic offering;
"Celest" offers many thrills in his work
on the tight wire and Marie Chevill' Is
entertaining in her series of classic
dances. Amusing motion pictures COM
plete the bill.
The second of the musical plays, a
long list of which has been secured for
first time stock production by the
Grand opera house management. will
be 1.-THE Earl and the Girl" in which
Ferris Hartman and his associates win
open next Sunday afternoon. The
piece is from four of the best known
English musical comedy authors and
was first produced at George Edwardes'