Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-13
ADJUSTMENTS


The cause of social and financial re-
form received another push forward last
night when a play founded on the series
or sketches by Mr.. George Randolph
Chester, published under the title Get
Rich-Quick wallingford." was launched
as an influence on popular thought. The
dramatization was made by Mr.. George
Conan. who found in these stories inspira-
ton for the most serious attempt he has
yet made in playwriting. WaliinSford,
as drawn by the novelist, was a char
acter type of strong human fascination,
his very wickedness imparting ring OF
sincerity to the delineation. he was I'M
compromisingiy bad one, wheeziIy per-
suasive, picturesquely rotund, ana thougn
morally perverse, intellectually mature.
To let this plausible but diabolical in
fuence go stalking unchallenged through
the newsstandS was undoubtedly con-
trary TO public policy, and Mr.. conan.
with one blow of the slap-stich, changed
him completely
No harlequin old-fashioned pantomime
could have wrought more sudden and
surprising transformation. From the or
deal OF yesterday evening j. RUFUS Wal
l1nGford energies purified, almost Sanct-
ned-or at least that is the impression
that IL is sought TO convey. Instead OF
being wheezy and mature, he is frankly
juvenile; instead of being a man of the
world who molds affairs. he is gush-
ing representative of little old Broad
way, prone to adolescent slang and no
match at all for the resolute little type
writer girl who solemnly warns him that
IL he does anything wrong in this town
she Will be on his trail
This young lady shares with the lead
ing male figures in the production a
talent for the vernacular. re doc not
exercise IL with the same degree of fluent
familiarity, but she has no hesitation In
telling G. Wallingford that she considers
him and his friend "a couple o crooks.
And for this frank display of .perspicacity
@. Wallingford loves her all the more.
The role OF Wallingford is played by
preserve the original picture. but who
gives first-rate representation of the
character as now revised and uplfted.
The part of Fannie Jasper. the stenog-
rapher whose heart finally yields to the
sutton who, while diSmissing the remain
der of humanity as "boo0s.' fervently re-
iterates that she is some gal,'' is de-
murely delineated by Frances Ring.
A creation of distinct artistic quality is
the role of Blackie Daw in the hands of
Edward Ellis. 1t stands out in strong re-
lief against background of rather con-
ventional farce.
There are character bits in such pro-
fusion that they knock each other over
in the wild scramble of exits and en-
frances which promote the impression of
rapid action. This element of rapid ac-
ton is pursued with as much determine
ton as that other indispensable quality,
heart interest After all the hurly-
burly, the final act a sort of epilOgue,
presents really charming contrast of
quietude. The conversation of Blackie
and Wallingford, rich, contented and so
respectable that they have no hesitation
in asking Pinkerton detective to meet
the bon ton of the village. has the effect
of a soliloquy. Its humor is subtle, yet its
appeal is direct.
The philosophizing is accepted by the
audience In spirit of pure comedy.
which is perhaps fortunate, as the con-
clusion that honesty is the best pol
ICY is not convincingly led up to by the
story. The two crooks become honest
only because they accidentally stumbled
into a good business and were forced to
admit that Becky Sharp was right in de-
claring that anybody can be good with a
large income.
With all its crudities the play has a
decided interest and quantity of ire
sistible fur. 1t demands its laughs with
a vigor that will not be denied, and
adorns its sentimentalities with a fam
boyancy of color that absolutely forbids
their going undetected.