Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-10
ADJUSTMENTS
Columbia.

The art of telling story with straight
forward logical force gives Mr.. Porter
Emerson Brown important standing
among the dramatsts of the day. He
Goes not revel in fanciful creations of
poetic grace; neither does he stumble into
the abyss of degradation that yawns for
the author who attempts realism. There
is no fiction more strained than that
which frequently results from the attempt
al realism Only an intelligence developed
10 the highest idealistic standards can
command the faculty Of faithful and at
the same time interpretive portrayal.
Mr.. Browns play The Spendthrift
combines Il frankly told story involving
plot and climax with close study of ,lu-
man nature. The struggle between the
current Of events and the forces of char
acter that seek to mold them is interest
ingly shown, even though the scene or
the contest has neither the glory of the
camp. the splendor of the council cham
Der nor the picturesqueness Of primeval
nature to lend il fascination. 1t is the
home of the average man that the author
depicts and the Mephisto who seeks to
undermine the happiness of the Faust III.
sack coat and derby hat and this Mar
guerite reveling-almost rioting-ln the
mysteries of modern millinery. IS the
spirit of reckless expenditure.
The outline sounds prosy. but the treat
ment is strong and develops emotional
intensity. which calls for the best efforts
of company which is in the man ex
cellent. The type of femninfy whose
career dominates the interest or the play
is one that the old French dramatists
were fond of exploiting. worldly only in
the sense of being dazzled by the world.
thoughtless of the morrow and yet capa-
bic of deep affection. The error into
which the heroine of .'The SDendthrift'
falls is an error of judgment. but not one
of heart. and the author is spared the ne
ces.Sity of requiring expiation by death
scene in the final act. On the contrary.
there is very touching reconciliation.
with the assurance that a lesson has been
taught which contains the secret of living
happily ever after.
The most effective scene In the drama
IS brought about by the ingenious ideas
of finance entertained by the beautiful
but extraragant young WIFE In order to
assist her husband who has drifted into
financial straits she borrowS a large sum
from man of the world. whose motives
in making such a loan would have been
obvious to any nature less innocent than
her own. The explanation which makes
reconciliation possible is both tense and
tempestuous. 1t is climax well attain
ed and forcefully presented with Robert
HaineS as the angered husband, That's
Magrane as the hOrror-stricken wife, and
Robert Game the domestic invader.
The last named role. though exceedingly
brief, revealed MIR. Caine as a first rate
actor Order is restored to the distracted
household largely through the good offices
of one of those quiet, frank. lovable
chaps that I. Daniel Frawley knows so
well how to impersonate. The lighter side
of the story is prettily presented 10y
Vivian Martin and Sumner Gard, two
youthful and agreeable players. a capt.
tai picture of the outspoken old lady,
whose wealth has not tempted her to friv-
olous display or to restraint of speech, is
given by Matte Ferguson.
The play is which depends on con-
sistent interest of plot. clever character
drawing and frequent revelations of un-
usually good acting.