The San Francisco call., 1910-10-16

young in all the considerations that
count Her years do not stretch be-
yond the s0's.-and there are no lines
IN her face nor any falterins OF ges-
Nture or falling OF voice. Her eyes are
the eyes OF 30. and her smile Is as In
fectious as youth itself The eyes are
black and bright and she looks at you
with a frankness that disarms doubt
and inspires confidence.
WYE talked about F. Marion Craw.
w ford. the departed novelist. vio-
la Allen visited with the widow
last summer in Sorrento. where ths
Crawford home is established and
where Mrs. Crawford lives
IF you were to ask me the principal
characteristic OF r Marion Crawford
said Viola Allen. IT would answer thas
1t was a high and abiding sense ot
honor. He was almost punctilfous IN
his devotion to his obligations II an
artist sometimes begs forgiveness for
lack of conventional regard for con-
ventions the lapse is usually condoned.
but Mr.. Crawford never asked anybody
TO forgive him for a breach OF eti-
quette nor to pardon a slight or a.
slur. He resenbled a British banker.
The literary affectations that the half
formed writer assumes were Mr. Craw-
ford's horror. The keynote to his
character. TO which his entire being
vibrated in unison. was honor and
faith"
Viola Allen has played now IN two
of Crawford's dramas. Palace OF the
King" and "The White Sister" which
is to be her production this week at the
Savoy. Still another play OF Crawford's
in which Miss Allen has not appeared
is dramatization OF "A Cigarette
Makers Romance"
a S a sample OF what the east thinks
~ OF Viola Aliens present play.
The White Sister," the following
from an authoritative source may be-
interesting:
There's much that gratihes many
play goers in the beautiful. though sad,
drama which again brings hither the
ever admirable Viola Allen.
'Tf it is by no means the sort OF
recreation to fortfy that estimable and
fatigued scommercia1 person whose
preferences at the theater have been
consulted too frequently. 1T IS precisely
what will give a memorable pleasure to
his wife-not to mention his sister, his
cousin and his aunt
Even men can not ignore the manl-
fold excellence OF play which. despite
its artifciality OF dialogue teaches
an exquisite moral lesson IN a manner
no less striking than artistic. For the
drama has been contrived from Novel;
| ist Crawford's book in a deft fashion
that emphasizes both unity and cohe-
sion. 1t is staged with rare charm and
dignity. 1t is interpreted by well
known actors who duly maintain theirs.
regulations"
THE monsignore OF the present cast
| might be called the co-star. for he is
James O'Neill. AS In Monte Christo'
and elsewhere. Mr.. O'Nein finely dis
closes the dignity. the grace and the
sacerdotal poise of an ecclesiastic."
'Tt was just little more than three
years ago." said Miss Allen. when I
was here before. played a Shake
spearean repertoire AMI here am
again, filed with anxiety to cross the
bay and view the marvels that have
shot skyward since was in San Fran
cisco after the big calamity. am
inclined to think 1t was not a great
calamity after all. for II has brought
the worlds attention to a great city
and it has developed what I am sure
is unique on the globe spirit OF
faith, a belief, and confidence that
will identify optimism with the west
for century to come"