The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-11-26
"Get Rich Quick wailinaford.p


Geo. NJ. Conan has given the theatre
goers OF America many reasons to
sing praises 10 his ability as play
wright, but never with more justifica-
ton than is exampled in his dramati- |
cation of the Wallingford tales as |
made known by George Randolph |
Chester and prepared for the stage |
under the title of Get Rich Quick
Walingford,' comedy of CONNER
cialism that has flourished in New
York City and Chicago for almost two
years.
Get Rich Quick Wallingford" has
just left the Geo. M. Cohan theatre
where it recorded the longest run in
the history of straight comedy In
New York City and it will be present
led here at the Grand Tuesday evening,
| November 90.
The story of the play has to do with
Set-rich-quick party bearing the i'm
pressiye name of j. Rufus Walling-
ford, a, promoter of wildcat schemes
who arrives in Battlesburg a middle
west town of indolent commerce and
sluggish ambition Impressive In ap-
pearance, suaye In manner and of
/ nimble wit, the promoter loses no time
| in sizing up the situation and within
two hours Of his arrival has gathered
| together few of the best citizens to
whom he outlines the play whereby
they are to become millionaires, the
town is to be doomed into the busiest
manufacturing city of the middle west
and an area of prosperity is to spread
it's mantle over Battlesburg.
WalIingford hits on an idea that
never before has been exploited in
get'rich-quick schemes, the manufac-
ture of a carpet tack to match the
carpets of the world. In his irresist-
able way Wallingford makes the ma
tives believe he is 'honoring' them by
bringing his enterprise to their city
and Immediately effects the organiza-
ton of his corporation wherein
there is invested s125,0O0 of local CAPT.
tai while he retains the controlling in
terest, absolute management and the
personal handling of the cash. An
element he has not counted on com
plicates his schemes and the for
tunes of Wallngford assume an un.
expected phase In his secretary the
promoter finds q woman who excites
in him regret that he has not been
on the square He determines, how.
ever, to go through with his original
programe and he carries along his
! bluff plans that are to bind his boob
dopes to his real purpose The con
fidence he has inspired awakens the
latent ambitions Of Battlesburg's ma
tives and there begins boom such
. as the old town never has known be
: fore.
With no though of seriously handl
! ing property and only as a means oil
impressing the natives with his future
Intentions Wallingford obtains options
' on many plots and in their great adj
Z miration OF him tine city council votes
7 Wallingford trolley line franchise
: Instead of being wildcat scheme
: however, the boom becomes legiti
mate, the carpet-covered tack a logi
. cal reality, the options he holds
i brings real returns In big money, the
) factory is built and Wallingford finds
e himself involuntarily an honest man
( head of big industries and tie lido
. of Battlesburg
! Joseph Manning is delight as Wal
lingford, as is Edward Delaney, his
! confederate. Miss Rose Lubonn was
, equally good in the leading woman
role. Other members Of the cast are