The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-02-22
Dustin Farnum Scores Fresh
Success In Cameo
Kirby"

Washington playgoers are partial to
Dustin Farnum, whom they remember
as the Virginian'' and The Ranger.
Hereafter they will include him in their
memories as Cameo Kirby" The play
of that name. written by Booth Tark-
ington and Leon Wilson. opened at the
Belasco Theater last night
The play contains a plot of heart grip
ping sentiment which Is heightened by
lines Of real wit and humor. so smoothly
woven into the thread Of the story
that the feelings Of the audience last
night were changed instantly from. the
tenser situations into outbursts Of
laughter. The supporting caste Is eX-
ceptionally strong.
The scene is laid in Louisiana in 1852.
Colonel Randall, a Louisiana plantation
owner. has sold his seasons cotton up
the river" On his way back he falls
into the hands OF Colonel Moreau. one
OF the INSCRIPTIONS river pirates" who
then haunted the Mississippi: river
steamboats,. Al his cash IS gone when
enters into the action Cameo Kirby. son
of an old friend OF the victim, who has
turned out to be the black sheep.
Moreau inveigles Colonel Randall in
wins all available cash, and the minia-
ture of the planters wife. Just as the
stakes are a deed to RandalTs planta-
tons. Kirby takes a hand and wins. IN
tending 10 save and return the paper on
the morrow. Colonel Randall shoots him
| self. Colonel AIoreau shoots Kirby in the
back. fatally. as he thinks Colonel
Moreau returns to RandaWs home and
i H. Ill 10
| himself tried to victimize.
It is at this point that the play opens
with Colonel Moreau a member Of a
house party which is going TO the old
Randall plantation. Larkin Bunce. a
| friend Of Kirby, turns UP 10 tell Moreau
| Kirby has recovered and IS seeking him
! Moreau goes out 20 meet him, after
| RandalTs son has made him swear 10
! shoot Kirby with the pistol that Ran
dali used to take his own life. Kirby
Kills NToreau and RandalEs son. who has
! followed MOreau, steals the pistol rom
1 where It fell, near Moreau.s body. a
! posse is sent out 10 lynch the man who
/ Shot Moreau, whom they think was IN
| Kirby takes refuge in RandaI's house,
/ and is caught by Adele Htandall, VINO
falls in love WITH him and takes him
20 the house party aS Colonel Moreau
! not knowing who he Is Young Ran
DAN. in search Tor Kirby, goes 70 the
plantation and Kirby's identity Is dis
! covered He IS 10 be shot as soon as
the women leave, and but for the dis
/ covery Of the miniature Of Randall
| wife in Colonel Moreau's Vallse, ht
[ would have lost his life with tht
promise that he will return In Ger
tain period, another man. Adobe prom
ises Kirby TO wait for him.
The part OF Cameo Kirby IS PECULIAR,
suited to Mr. FarnUm- His work va
such last night as TO evoke applause 70
eight returns TO the stage when the cur
tain went down on the third a5t. Eugen
IO'Rourke as Larkin BHnce was as we
received as Mr.. Farnum and he deserve
10 be His reading OF the lines OF re
fresbinc husuor with which the pla
teens was excellent. His gOod-by {
Kirby IN the last act, which called 70
heavier acting, shows his ability.
! Excellent work was done by member
OF the cast, even IN the minor roles.
J. 2. Y