The San Francisco call., 1910-01-24
CAST OF CHARACTERS
In Edith Ellis Comedy,
MARY James Pa"
By WALTER ANTHONY

1t is the habit of comedians to prove
their joviaI powers by turning to the
serious; to justify the laughs they have
won by the tears that they can also
move. We never are really certain
that a man is legitimately entitled to
place in the front rank of comedians
untiI- he has quit his fooling'' long
enough 10 reverse our wrinkles from
smiling TO sad.
Max Figman' is known to us as the
careless impertinent, graceful yet
graceless light comedian He surprised
US in The Man on the Box" at the
American theater two years ago, and
We liked his laughing talents so well
that a return engagement was made
10 in our need He carried a some
what uncertain play, The Substitute
10 later success here by his light, airy
gifts Of funning. and he returned yes
terday TO San Francisco TO prove we
were right in our approval Of him. As
a comedian he reappeared, but with
q minor cadence to his presentations
Figman was not all smiles as Hiram
Perkins in Mary James Pa" at the
savoy yesterday. but touched our
hearts. lightly-ever so lightly, as a
comedian should, but. surely, by COM
mand over those emotions which nor
maIitN understands. These transitions
from gay TO grave were accomplished
subtly. unostentatiously, but with Ger
tainty: they were like the shadows on
the hillside when a cloud floats by over
head, making just enough OF darkness
10 let US know the sun shines.
Chatting. cynical and brilliant, Fig
man. as Hiram Perkins, drifts into the
first act: the realizes Of life are moth
ing 10 him. He is the spectator, and
the world is his play. By degrees, as
nicely shaded as a perfect crescendo
in Mozart music, the man in him
swakens, and the fatherhood, too You
see the transition going on before your
eyes until the family he had deserted
when he himself was but little more
than q boy is tied to his heart, tight.
His willingness at last TO sacrifice him
self for them does not even surprise
YOU so thoroughly has the actor per
suaded you Of the reasonableness Of
the metamorphosis. 1t is, in brief, a
masterful characterization of one of
the most unusual persons ever staged
in comedy.
Theater goers will be talking about
Mary James Pa" before the week is
far gone big audience was there
yesterday afternoon, and the pretty
rural play, with its mingling Of comedy,
patbQs and a touch of well done melo-
dra ma, viii be A drawing power.
The story tells of a vagabond hus-
band who leaves his family to wander
over the world. Then, after IL years,
he comes back to Indiana. and the plot
which is placed in Gosport, shows the
familiar types TO be expected in such
a village. A sensational and unexpect-
ed climax brings the story to quick
close and leaves everybody happy.
Helen Lackaye, as Mary James moth
er. is welcome back. She has an ex-
cenent role, which she does with much
delicacy and finesse.
Miss Gretchen Hartman, as Mary
Jane, is a darling little actress. It is
a pity that already evidence is at hand
that she can not much longer appear
in a part which calls for a girl only
u years old. She reads her lines with
fine spirit and is not the horror that
most child actresses are. Several of the
character parts are exceptionally good,
notably that of Link Watkins, the vii
lage cab driver. and Joel Skinner, the
country banker, broker and CRATER.
Dorothy Phillips. as Lucille Perkins, is
also prettily placed as the little miss
who. inheriting her fathers disposition,
yearns to see the world.
. The play will appeal to anybody who
retains the capacity to laugh and weep.