Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-03-12
Emotions Gamut Has
TuSsle with RisibleS
"The Gamblers" at Shubert's,
Grips Heartstrings with
Tensity of Situations.

e- HERE is virtue ever among
gamblers. 1t is seldom more
handsomely Gypifed than IL
eThe Gamblers by Charles Klein
this weeks offering at the shuber'
Theatre.
.sThe Gamblers is a typical Klein
production. Like the Third Degree
and 1.-THE Lion and the Mouse" IL
deals with human nature up to date
Mr.. Klein has introduced not h gam
eel in the commonly accepted inter
probation of the word, but h over
ambitious and not too s%crupulous
banker. the student of high finance.
The story is a picture. of corporate
creed and selfish ambition well blende
with the virtues of self -sacrffce and
real altruism.
There is a ~peculasr amomoy in the
authors representation of the story of
the gamblers. Sympathy and admira-
ton are commanded by h gambler,
while the opposing attributes are cre-
ated in behalf of the one who would
punish the so-called CT Eminal; not h a
the audience. must cond.One the methods
of high finance. but that technical
wrong-doing should not be prosecuted
to further the ambitions and enhance
the political and moral standing of
the expositor of the CRIME.
Technical violations of h Federal
laws. common in the present days of
great financial ambition, cea1stitll1e the
gambling in Mr.. Kfein's play. The
prosecuting attorney is as violent and
ruthless in his ambitions for political
fame as the gamblers are for financial
supremacy.
The heart interest enters when 1t is
understood that the charming wife of
the prosecutor is more in love with
the young gambler han the man
whose wife she became. While the cir
cumstance is regretable it is p1 'trayed
as far from unnatural.
Orme Caldara splendidly acted the
role of the ~ringleader of the gamblers
AS acting head of the banking tlnstitu-
ZION by virtue of the confidence and
trust of his lovable old father who has
rlrn60 LIE T6lD5 VI LIN ~
to him. Mr.. Caldara with the ~icounte-
nance of his directors borrows beyond
his capital to vie with other more pow
erful competitors. The prosecutor,
greedy for popular favor, aims 10 land
some of the millionaires IN Jaii'
Through promises of immunity to
director. who is about to be married
he uersuades him to turn States eV1-
dence. thereby securing sufficient facts
to warrant the federal authorities to
take possession of the bank.
ONLY one thought rests in the mind
of the young leader, and that y TO
protect and save his father. who hes
been an innocent party To- the tecterai
violation. He assume the response
bilitv in the entire transaction; acqslit-
ting his ambitious partners, he invites
punishment upon himself alone.
A situation intensely dramatic. in
which Miss Jane Cowl, as the prosecu-
tors wife, is given an opportunity TO
display great emotional ability Is
brought about through the unwar-
ranted jealousy and suspicion of her
husband toward the young banker.
In order to get possession of some
damaging evidence which his partner
has furnished the attorney, the desper-
ate man enters the home of the prose-
cutor late at night and after a thrilling
scene with the prosecutors wife, IN
which he fails to get possession of the
desired papers, there develops a still
more thrilling scene when the prose-
cutor unexpectedly arrives and accuses
both wife and banker.
Miss Cowl proves herself entirely
capable of the dramatic moment. 1t Is
an intense situation. The husbands
failure to trust and believe is rightly
taken by her as a lack of love and ap-
probation, and she resolves to withhold
the papers. The incident further
strains the domestic relations and later
she turns the papers over to the banker
and promises to wait for him
The entire production is particularly
well cast, and the play is not only
strong, but strongly acted. George
Backus, as the kindly old father, is
most impressive. The prosecuting at
torney, played by Charles Stevenson, is
splendidly drawn, n Mr.. Stevenson
portrays the part with utmost satisfac-
ton.
wallace Erskine, as the stool pigeon.
and Dewitt G.. Jennings and Fred w.
strong. as the banking co-partners,
facing difficulties with the federal au-
thorities, are exceptionally good. The
scenes in the home of the financial
ringleader n in the library of the
prosecutor are particularly well
equipped, and the production from any
point of view is well worth the evening.