The Washington herald., 1910-09-20
THE BELAsCo.
"The Lottery Man"

There seems To be no limitations 10 the
piaywriting proelivities OF Rida Johnson
Young as regards the character of the
tic following with college comedy and
musical comedy. she has arrived with
farce. and the term arrived is used adj
visedly as for pure entertainment her
latest effort. The Lottery Man" ex-
cells all Of those preceding. II is hila-
rious from start TO finish. both in
episode and dialogue; and above all. in
these reminiscent days. the plot has the
stamp Of originality. Ridiculous or i'm
probable If you please, but the merit of
novelty and mirth must be accorded.
While there is present travesty. there is
also present satire, and while the general
tendency is toward exuberant amuse-
ment, there are also several valuable
lessons outlined at least
Jack Wright. brilliant but somewhat
erratic space writer. living with and
somewhat spoiled by his mother. con-
ceives the idea of providing for her and,
ineidentiy, OF himself by means of a
joint lottery and sensational newspaper
story scheme, wherein he was 10 be lot
tered of as a husband to the holder OF
lucky coupon. said coupon 20 be one OF
several hundred thousand. each costing
a dollar. the entire proceeds OF the eou-
pom selling to be the dowry OF the couple
II the marriage was eonsummated, and
in case OF refusal on the part of either
the entire pot was 10 go TO the other
The paper was to profit by means of
tremendously increased circulation. SUI
perinduced by the sensation and the
stories to be furnished daily by Jack In
connection with real and imaginary hap
penings in his life. he having had an
eventful career for one so young. and
amply equipped by nature for the en-
Enlistment thereof in the telling.
The plan works 10 nerfection as 20 its
sensational and monetary features The
copies OF the paper are az a premium,
and over 10000 ladies. of all ages. condi-
tions. and facial aspects. stake one or
more dollars on the issue; but alas! just
az the incipiency Of the scheme, Jack
falls in love with a lovahle girl, and de-
spite the buying. In secret. OF numerous
friends who are In the secret. she loses,
and Jack Is won by an eccentric and an
cient woman companion TO the mother
OF Jacks bosom friend. who refuses
either 10 give up or sell out. and thus
the hero is in a lamentable and ludicrous
dilemma. After having placed her man
in this remarkably funny position with
such amazing and humorous dexterity, IL
would hardly seem possible for Mrs.
Young 10 extricate him with the same
degree OF success. but she does so with
out perceptible falling of. II was dis
covered that the final holder of the
lucky number, 1928 had flched the tick
ct from a maid servant in the house,
who, being nearly married 10 the butler.
gives up her claim, and all ends merril!.
OF course. lots OF people are going to
say that a young man of Jacks charac-
ter, education, and environment would
never descend 10 such a scheme-and he
probably would not-but tbs a farce. and
in farces such things must be winked at,
especially when there is so much Wit,
novelty. and hearty humor.
The bulk OF the comedy really falls on
two of the cast. although 1t must be
said that they are ably abetted by the
entire company. Cyril Scott. as Jack
Wright. the lottery man., carries the
role through without single interruption
IN the current OF fun. His humor is
spontaneous and contagious, while he
puts Just enough character into il 10
make 1t personality rather than a mere
T. .T-.,-f v-or
into a comedian of the first order, Helen
Lowell, as Lizzie Roberts, the mo-
mentarily happy winner Of the prize, is
irresistlble Her remarkable make-ups.
droll facial play, and remarkable ges-
lures all contribute, and altogether she is
very funny.
Louise Galloway. as Mrs. Wright, is as
charming as ever. Good character
sketches are furnished by Jennie DECKER
son. as Mrs. Peyton, and Mary Leslie
Mayo, as Hedwig Jensen, while impor-
tant augmentation OF the comedy is con-
trIslted by Robert MacKay, as Foxy
Peyton. and Bertha Bartlett. as Helen
Heger, with the minor roles were agree
ably presented.
The whole entertainment is an interim
Of wholesome amusement, with momen-
tary glimpses, satirical, and otherwise, OF
personal eccentricities and current fads.
including health.cureS. both physical and
mental