The Washington times., 1911-03-14
Generous Applause Given
the Former Gentleman
From Mississippi"
TRIBUTE MORE FOR
STAR THAN HIS PLAY
Cutting Out of Tiresome Dialogue
and Rearrangement Badly
Needed.

Washington audiences have a more or
less deserved reputation for being slow
to warm up to new production, born
of a caution of long experience as the
Capital is a -favorite place for the old
experiment Of trying it out on the dog
before bidding for New York's favor
Last night at the BelascO there was no
trace of this hesitancy, and the pre-
niere of AN Old New Yorker was
received with a gustO that must nave
been very gratifying TO the authors and
producers.
There is little doubt, however, that
this was q tribute to Thomas A. Wise,
actor, rather than to Thomas A. WISE
co-author, with Harrison Rhodes. Those
who had hoped for another Gentleman
From Mississippi" lost hope during the
first two acts, regained IL during the
third, and left the theater with a reali-
zation that only a generous tOHing down
of tiresome dialogue and a rearrangc-
ment of parts would make the new play
a worthy follower to its very success
full predecessor.
Its Rough Spots.
1t is only to be expected that an ini-
tial production of play built along the
lines of AN Old New Yorker would
have it's rough spots to be rounded off
later, but there is little excuse for the
wilderness of dialogue, much of it un-
necessary. that makes the first half Of
this production drag so as to be nerve
wearing. That the authors made allow
ances for the pruning that must come Is
evidenced by the fact that the perform
ance runs possibly thirty minutes longer
than # will after the cutting has been
done.
The first act is little more than pro-
loCue. and not until the third act does
the real action begin. The plot is woven
about Samuel Beekman, New Yorker
of the old business school, and the story
begins with the admission into the firm
Of his old partners son. Richard Cor
lisS. The Junior member IS overfioWinE
with ginger" and tries to put modern
methods into effect. A chance IS given
tie firm to sell out to the trust, repre-
scented by Jonathan GOrmley, many
times millionaire, but BeCkman refuse"
ard when young COrliss insists, ne dl-
solves partnership, impOverishing him
self TO paw the junior. member, VINO Is
almost a son, an imaginary value for his
interest
Like Fairy Tale.
Corliss. left to himself. goes in with
the trust, marries ard begins career
on Wall Street. Two Years later we
see them again. Beekman and his sis
ter living humhly in order to save the
family home, while CCriiss has gone
from bad to worse. until, facing ruin
and disgrace he is ready to end it all
With a bullet. Then Bcekman comes to
the rescue, sells. the homo and an
sounces his intention of getting back in
to harness and routing the trust.
To his support. in true fairy tale style,
comes money in plenty, the good angels
taking the SlIise of two old maids, twins.
also Of the school of old New oTkerS'
who. with blind faith in man who's"
honesty is unquestiOned, but whose
business ability is nil, to judge from
the mess he made, offer him unlimited
Inst how he succeeds in downing the
great trust is not made plain, but the
curtain goes down, leaving everyone
with the impression that ne vii accom- font
pIish this seemingly impossible feat
Much about the plot is a sever" taA
upon ones Credulity, but If one be not
too critical and willing to take Things
as they are presented the outcome Is
pleasing.
Its Bid for Success.
Thomas A. Wise's Samuel Beekman Is
the productions one best bid for sue
cess. Mr. Wises methods are very
much like those he used in the Gentle
man From Mississippi" and the jovial
old-fashioned, ruggedly honest old mar
has a personal appeal that carries aCros!
the footlights In some of his lines
there is much laughter and a suspicion
OF tears and he makes the character
such a heart gripping old chap that i
will do more than anything else to max,
the play a success.
..Lola May, as the girl next door, Viii
hGm RoseH as Richard COrliss. anC
George CASTOR, Beekman's old friend
do good work in the supporting cast
Mamie Kerwn, as the stenographer
and John B. Maher, as the butler, fur
nish soma clever character work.
All of the support is not good and sew
eral changes in the cast would aid ma
terially. NJ H. NJ.