Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-25
Burbank Offers a Treat
in 'Brewster's Millions"
Ry SHIRLEY OLYMPUS
IT'S getting interesting to contem-


IT'S getting interesting to contem-
plate spending $1,000,OO0. Every
4 body has a particular and an ex-
pensive hobby, hence a method OF get
ting rid of perfectly good coin. The
task looks simple, easy of accomplish
ment and exceedingly pleasant. But, II
the spending Is hedged about with
some such conditions as getting r1d
of all the money in twelve months,
keeping the secret and not letting
soul in the world know the reason for
the spendthrift ways, not being apie
to give 20 charity, and not being al
lowed to spend in a reckless manner,
the undertaking becomes at once
formidable one.
Just such a task with just such
conditions falls to the lot of Mont
gomery Brewster in "Brewsters Mil
lions" the play produced yesterday at
the Burbank atheater AS compensa-
tion for bahkrupting himself OF
measly million dollars, Monty Is to re-
CcVe $7,000,000. He succeeds in ac-
complishing the task, difficult as 1t is,
by buying chorus girls tiaras, becoming
"angel' for musical comedies, hiring all
his friends as an Office force, sendlns
punches of orchids to men, women,
children and janitors, giving first aid to
injured fnanciers, and taking every
body he happens to like or dislike on
a cruise half round the world. One
part Of the task Is that he gets into
no entangling matrimonial alliances. AS
a result he very nearly loses a sweet
girl destined to be his wife.
Monty BreWsters method of spending
money is really frenzied extravaganza.
One is at a loss to know whether
George Barr McCutcheon, who wrote
the novel from which the comedy was
IT dfh
a rather satirical method of exposing
reckless expenditure by the idle rich or
whether he meant the story as a pure
amusement maker. If the latter view
is taken, Mr.. McCutcheon succeeded
admirably
Harry Mestayer. to whom fell the
role of Monty Brewster, spent MS
money in an exceedingly convincing
manner. Mr.. Mestayers portrayal OF
the character was excellent, indeed
His comedy was broad but refined and
mirth- h-provoking. He kept the audience
laughing all the time nearly. There
were no false notes in Mr.. Mestayer
acting, although little more pugna-
cious spirit might have marked the
scene in the third act when he was
seized by his friends and forcibly
locked up. The fault may nave neen
his friends " as much or more than
his. Mr. Mestayer lifts "Brewsters $
Millions" onto a high plane by his clev-
erness. -.
Marjorie Rambeau in the rather dlf-
hcult part of Margaret Gray is strong
and likabIe Ethel Won Waldron as
the girl who believed in Platonic love
until she fell in love herself, was excel.
lent. Lowell Alice Taylor was "chatty,'
inst what her role called for. Louise
Royce gave the proper touch to Mrs
Dan de Mile. David Landau, Henry
Stockbridge and others of the men
were excellent with the possible excep-
tion of Leo Pierson, who seemed DIT
weak as Hopper Harrison. The scene
in the second act when Harrison ad-
mits a defalcation was quite conVlnc-
ing. In the last act he redeemed MN
self John w. Burton should purchase
a new evening dress coat The one he
wore yesterday misfitted him.
From a scenic standpoint, the Bur
bank production is equal to, If not bet
ter than any offering ever made IN
Los Angeles by a travelling company
Particularly is this true of the third
act. The detail of the scenery on board
the yacht is remarkably perieet.
Using the usual commercial criter-
ion of the theater "Brewsters Millions
is a two-dollar offering at stock prices
II is one of the Burbank's best oner-
ings.
"The Rich Mr.. Hoggenheimer' be-
gan the third week of its run
last night at the Majestic theater by
the Kolh and Dill company The open
ing last night breaks the record or
runs of musical productions in Los
Angeles.
The new Empire theater, under di-
rection of Edward Lampson of chi
Icago. opened Saturday with crowded
houses witnessing the first production
~ "The Astronomer" a musical alb
surditv demanding the full strength or
the big cast engaged for the summer
n required the energetic work of
three comedians, two soloists, livery
soubrette and the New York singing
and dancing girls to fill out the plot OF
"The Astronomer" which seems 10
have been written for amusement only.
| Marie Nelson's best work was in the
solo Havana" wherein her high
tones were displayed to advantage.
She pleased in other numbers,
especially when she sang the OBJ
ligato in what Makes the World GO
Round" with Fred Whitfield, the lead
ing man and baritone.
Harry Garrity, of whom much was
expected because of his countrywide
reputation, did not disappoint the au-
diences. Charles Schory, the eccentric
comedian, seemed to talk with his
hands. feet, face and arms. Virginia
Lawrence, Harry Gordon and others
rounded out "The Astronomer"
|
Miss Grace George in her new play,
"A Woman's Way" will be seeen at the
Mason opera house tonight and for
the balance of the week, including a
| Saturday matinee.
"A Woman's Way" is a bright and
breezy comedy, and Miss George and
PRINCE REGENT WINS A BET