The Washington herald., 1912-03-05
THE COLUMBIA.
Henry miller In aThe Rainbow,

Henry miller in "The Rainbow,
The fact that the Columbia Theater
was filled to its capacity last night for
the first metropolitan presentation Of
Henry Mller's new play. "The Rainbow
was proof positive that the Washington
theater-going public had confidence in the
enthusiastic approval OF the trial per-
formance given in Atlantic City last
week.
This faith was well placed, for the sea-
son has brought forth no sweeter. ssner,
sounder comedy than this last work from
the irresistible pen of Mr.. A. Z. Thomas.
who, il Is said, writes plays because he
bubbles so continuously with wit that his
world does not hold enough people to hear
IT all, and 50 he creates folk with hearts
so human that an audience can scarcely
believe that they are but the manufac-
ture of a mans brain.
This is certainly true of people who
weave the story of ''rhe Rainbow" into
e great human lesson all full Of the
beauty of youth, the tender sympathies
Of maturity and the brilliant with of
clever folk
Not in sixteen years has Henry Miller
been cast in q production that gave such
opportunity to make his audience the
stage of which he held the center. THE
Only Way" The Great Divide" The
Havoc" fs,h in turn proclaimed his
tragic power, but not since the days of
"Heartsease," his gf1st starrinr venture,
has he found a romance so full of op-
portunity for powerful heart appeal as
Mr.. Thomas put into the big role of
THE Rainbow" played by Mr.. Miller.
The story Of THE Rainbow" differs
from that of the usual problem play in
that the pivot upon which It revolves is
paternal love.
A father Is separated from his daughter
through an unfortunate marital mlsun-
derstanding. This little girl spends her
life in France with her mother until she
arrives at an age when II Is inevitable
that she notice that the fathers OF other
girls are their companions. With un-
erring instinct she determines to see her
own father and persuades her mother TO
set sail for New York.
Neil Sumner, the father, estranged
from his wife for years, has become an
easy-golng sort OF chap. maintaining an
elaborate apartment in New York, own
ing a racing string. passing his time
in pursuit Of amusements with which
he hopes to assuage the pain and lone
illness that eat at his vitals-a loneli-
ness that such a life can never do less
than intensity.
And the little seventeen-year-old Gym
thia drifts into his apartment unan-
nounced one fine day-drifts in among
his questionable friends, bringing to him
her young love and a personality that
wins his heart.
The girl and her father become de-
voted companions, but his greatest ef-
fort cannot shake in an instant his for
mer mode OF life. The companions OF
his reckless amusements cling closer
than a brother. and because OF them
Cynthia is taken from him by the
mother, who must consider her daugh-
ter's happiness before the mans comfort
in the girl.
At the villa Marchese. at Mentone.
Neil Sumner Unexpectedly finds the
daughter, the loss of whom has sent him
forth upon restless travels. and because
she loves them both and can do without
neither, Cynthia reunites the two human
beings in all he world dearest TO her,
breaking down their pride and forcing
them to admit only the compelling pow
er OF love.
As Neil Sumner. the father. Henry
Miller's work is artistic and sincere. In
every particular It rings true. At the
close of the second act his struggle in
giving up the young girl who has come
to be the one real and sane thing in
his life, he grips the heartstrings, and
wrings tears from his audience as real
as the ones he shed.
As Cynthia, Ruth Chatterton Is just
the Iovable girl, as sweet and pure as
drifting apple blossoms, with a voice
that wiggles into your heart and makes
you love her.
Miss Chatterton was going through no
new experience in winning her way into
the hearts of Washington people last
night however. for she was two years
ago a great favorite when here with the
Columbia players.
Laura Hope Crewes fits admirably into
the role of Betty. Neirs most loyal and
discerning sister, keen in her sympa-