New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-13
my BEST Girl" APPEARS
Musical Play by Charming Pol
lock and RennOId Wolf at Park.
CLIFTON CRAWFORD LEADS
Clever Lines and Good Tunes
Sprinkled at Random
Through Plot.

TnUish the art of repartoo is not. locally
speaking, much practised and the use OF
striking conversation not general except
among people unhampered by an educa-
ZION. there is no denying that there Is a
large audience for Wit on the stage. The
first night people who gathered 70 vel
come tine latest Offering of the sparklofs
Charming Pollock and Rennold Wolf at
tic Park Theatre last night went there to
get ", relish of wit. II was not only the
successful "Rcd widow last year that
coached up expectations Of a festival of
phrases in my Best Girl" There are
other writings by the librettist and lyri-
cst of the newest musical play which
periodically entertain a large cotelic.
Those who went TO laugh were not lis
appointed. There are bushels of laughs in
the unexpected lines which are shot In nj
random here and there throughout the
piece. BET they arc act the quotable kind
nor the kind that hold their humor very
long.
The play mas u consecutive and consist
ent enough story. The plot leads a
wealthy young man into the regular army
as a private. and this gives the scenery
men chance 10 put Governors Island
on thu stage. There are a love story ana
a disguise thread, both Of which are
worked through. But unfortunately the
musical parts Of the play have bareiy any
connection with the action. The songs
and chorales are drawn in by force. one
OF the best ideas and best musical num-
bers In tho piece-tho coming IN of The
Little Stranger to look tor M. Schnoodie.
who ran away from her in Holland-nas
not the remotest relation to any OF the
people or 10 any part Of the action OF
My Best Girl"
The music which clifton Crawford and
Augustus Barratt have written for the
play has swing and tunerulness Il DO
IilS. Your Eyes" Mr. Schnoodlc" and
The Widow" have the best quality for
popular singing. as we'll a. the piece at
the end. Tor which the play was named.
Clifton Crawford became technically q
"star" last night IN the part Of pickie
Vanderfect HIS quiet humor t. pleasant.
and lie has a clever way Of singing his
songs But why does he shsmblc about
the stage and vabblo his head and waggle
al the joints even when he IS not supposed
10 be drunk? Olive Tlrich. has good
voice. and Rita Stanwood a new and un-
stcrootypcd stage manner. These two
played, respectively. the nsncec ana the
best girl" of Dickic. Corallun Wade. as
tho Little Stranger. who was wholly a
stranger 10 the play. was novel figure.
Her bobbiug, mysterious walk. with hands
on hips her serious face and her melodi-
Gus voice. together with a few graceful
dancing steps. were all decidedly refresh
Ing. why cannot something moro be
made Of this feature
MY Best Girl" has number Of e!e-
ments OF success for musical comedy.
n has cieverness- Of n high order.
but it Is bright-it has agreeable music
aud many little novelties OF situation.
IT'S tobogRan slide IN tho last act was n
scenic diversion which drew bounding
applause last night But the play as a
whole lacks the unity Of intention which
"a slay-evcu a musical comedy needs
10 push 80 over the footl!ghts vigorously.
My Best Girl" rs good only IN spots.
CAST OF 'IY BEST GIRL"