Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-06
THE EASIEST WAY IS
TRUTHFUL BUT UNLOVELY
Laughter to Be Found in The
Lottery Man'-GOOd Bill
at 0rpheum
BY SHIRLEY OLYMPUS


the Mason opera house last night, is
that it is absolutely true to life-shock-
ingly true. But truth isn't always beau
tiful. In fact, very many times 1t is
either positively ugly or horrible.
Sometimes it is showy without being
elegant 1.-THE Easiest Way" is a mix
| ture of the three unpleasant qualities,
yet it is true Next to the absolute
truthfulness of the play, the reckless
abandon shown by Laura Murdoch
when she finally succumbs to her own
weakness and desire for an easy life,
is the next big element and the one
which makes the lasting impression.
This comes in the final scene of the
final act. Because of the scene
one has q bad taste in ones
mouth when he leaves the theater.
| Personally 1 would rather that the cur
tain had dropped when John Madison
banged the door behind him and Laura
poured out her soul ache in despair
ing wall. 1 think would have higher
opinion of the play and of Laura Muir
dock. AS it is, 1 am inclined to be-
| lieve that she was too weak ever to
| have succeeded in her fight for NOR
ality and happiness even had she mar
ried John Madison. Laura MurdocK
was and always would be failure be-
cause she loved herself more than she
| could love the right.
1.-THE Easiest Way does not uplltt
the morals of any community, nor does
1t improve the intellect. If Eugene
Walter conceived the drama as a
preachment, I believe he has failed in
his object. He has painted wonder
fully realistic and wonderfully faith
full portrait OF a certain phase of lie
lin New York, and possibly elsewhere),
but he has not given any hint of
remedy.
Mr.. Walter has dared to put real life
into his various scenes. The descrlp-
ton of Laura Murdock's life given In
the first act is the description of an
actress who occupies prominent posi-
tion on the stage today. And again,
Mr.. walter has described his own life
as a reporter on the Denver Republ1-
can in speaking Of the occupation ol
John Madison, reporter.
Briefly told, the story of 1.-THE Easiest
Way' Is the story of an actress VINO
breaks away from man who mas sup
piled her every want, because sne
loves a poor but worthy man. She
struggles against poverty, and when
she is about to lose her fight, goes
back to the old life. Her sweetheart.
out in the west, knows nothing of the
change He makes a winning fight,
gains a fortune from the gold helds OF
Nevada, and goes to New york TO
claim her as his bride. At last he
comes into possession of the full facts.
Where before he was willing to for
give and forget, he now is unwilling to
either forgive or forget, and all be-
cause she has lied to him. He casts
her off, Just as does her former pro-
WIDER In despair she decides on sui
eide, but being a weakling, cannot
bring herself to 1t. Then she goes out
ito make a hit" catch another man
L. k1n cf fnCf
There's no doubt about it that Laura
Murdoch Is the victim of circum-
stances to a large extent. But had
she the moral stamina and the conr-
age to fight just another day she
might have gained the great prize or
happiness with honor instead of un-
happiness with dishonor One sympa-
thizes with Laura Murdock at first.
Then one pities her. But one always
ends by condemning her.
There's something subtly attractive
about the manner in which FRANCES
starr portrays Laura Murdock. Her
personality and her genius combine TO
lift the character from sordidness.
There's simplicity and sincerity in her
every intonation and action, but there
no excuse for Laura anywhere. MISS
Starr's portrayal Is one of art and
shows inherent merit brought to fullest
realization by the Belasco touch.
Next to Miss Starr-or rather along
side of her portrayal-comes that or
Joseph Kilgour, who, as Wizard BrocK-
ton, the luxury provider, gives clean
cut Interpretation and one Wh1ch VIII
he long remembered. In the nice little
things as we'll as the great big ele-
ments which go to make up an artistic
portrayal, Mr.. Kilgour is not lacking
the least bit.
He knows the type Of man he is por-
traying, and he makes his audience
realize it all the time. John T. BraWn
as Jim Weston, an actor of the ola
school. is delightful Violet Rand as
Annie. a negro maid of all work and
later lady's maid. makes her role
shine like gem. Louise Randolph
gains sympathy, commendation ana
condemnation as Elfie st. Clair, 1or-
mer chorus girl who has become IN
oculated with the easiest life ana
makes no bones about 1t. Edward ii.
Robins as John Madison gives
rather untrue portrait of the role
when that portrait is viewed from
certain angles. In the initial scene be-
tween Madison and Brockton Mr..
Robins is exceptionally artistic, ana
he is finished in his acting in the final
scene with Laura, but there seems TO
be something lacking from the picture.
Possibly Mr.. Robins does not look
the part"
word about the scenery. In the
opening act the view of Pixies peak,
especially when the sun is seen set
ting, is wonderfully true and beau
tifJl. Details of Laura Murdock's ell
egant apartments in the New york
hotel are worked out to the very limit.
That is the Belasco way and shows
the Belasco touch, which means we'll
directed genius and art in all things.
Three capacity houses yesterday af-
ternoon and evening at the Princess
saw the opening performances Of "A
Frizzed FRAGILE" the latest musical
concoction of Fred Ardath, the author
actor-producer. The production is
mixup from start to finish, and is not
Strengthened out until the drop of the
final curtain. A young scapegrace is
the central figure. He is left some
money by an aunt, but has to marry
and become q father to receive it, He
writes his uncle, also the executor, that
both events have taken place and re-
ceiyes some of the money. Later the
uncle comes to visit him and the young
rascal has to supply wife and baby.
All his friends try to help him out and
the result is that his home is flooded
with wives and babies This produces
ludicrous complications too numerous
to mention, and everyone suspects
everyone else of playing false. The
uncle learns of the fake, but forgiVes
the young nephew and all ends well.
Earl Hall played the part of the
Young nephew while Al Franks did the
eccentric uncle with nicety Anne Hen
ry. the new prima donna, made her
:" .4.,.. sar,x xarff