The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-31
THE COLUMBIA.
"The Grain of Dust. "

James X. Hackett and his admirable
company scored a distinct success in the
rendition last evening at the Columbia
| OF Louis Evan Shlpman's dramatic YER
sion OF the late David Graham Phil
/ lips novel. The Grain of Dust" Mr..
Shipman's dramatization has lost none OF
! the story value, but, IL anything, has
added the definite touch of realism which
is the backbone of drama, at the same
! time preserving so completely the spirit
| and substance of the story as to make
the dramatization a huge success.
THE Grain of Dust served Mr.. Hack
EFT during his highly successful and
| lengthy New York and Chicago engage
ments last season, its production last
year marking his return to actor-man-
| agement But this is its first appearance
in Washington and marks in fact the re-
turn of Mr.. Hackett to this city after an
absence Of five years.
The strength and interest of the story
depend rather on the way In which the
story is unfolded than in the plot itself.
and sustains an interest to the final end
that is seldom found in even more pre-
tentious dramatic productions. Frederick
Norman is a brilliant young corporation
lawyer, who has practically put himself
at the head OF his profession. despite his
youth.
Equally successful in a social way. he
is engaged to pre-eminently the catch of
the season." Josephine Burrough, the
beautiful daughter OF a wealthy captain
of finance" who is his FIRMS chief client
Norman looks upon all phases of life.
also his fiancee. IN a cold, calculating
manner, but everything is running
smoothly until he suddenly discovers the
hidden and unsupported charms in a
fat NJ Inc lon a
typewriter. Dorothy Hallowell, who
works in his Office. How he wins her by
ardent wooing is interesting and at times
very dramatic.
The higher social and also financial,
standing which would be gained by the
union of Frederick Norman and Jose
phine Burroughs is an important factor.
and he hesitates TO marry Dorothy Hal
lowell, who is poor and without station
or influence. Norman finally throws con-
vention to the winds. marries his little
typewriter. nearly fails in business, but
finally proves his iron will, rises above
the reprOaches and ridicule of his friends,
and is happy. IL one of his disposition
and character could be happy.
Mr.. Hackett, versatile and popular. as
always, scores highly in his portrayal of
Frederick Norman, the young corpora
ton lawyer, graphing with mighty prob
lens of corporation law and past mas
ter in the art of looking in a cold
blooded way upon business matters, and.
in fact, all affairs OF life. Mr.. Hackett
leaves his mark of cleverness in this
role, and it may fairly rank with his
charaCterizations in The Prisoner of
Zenda" and Rupert of Hentzaw" At
the end OF the third act so enthusiastic
was the audience in their applause that
Mr.. Hackett was called before the cur
tain. and made a happy, characteristic
speech.
Beatrice BeckIey gives an excellent in
depreciation of Dorothy HallowelI. and
her stimulation of the frail and devoted
girl appeals with truth and indcfinable
charm, and is one of the dramatic assets
Of the production. Fred 4. Sullivan's
William Tetlow is a perfect type OF the
cold, Unconditional man OF business, his
dissertations on women. the great Amer
lean Illusion" furnishing much amUse-
ment. Vida Marie Moore as Josephine
Burrows Is effective in what may be said
to be an unpleasing role, while Margaret
Bourne gives a graceful representation of
the devoted sister. Mrs. Fitzhugh. Fra
ger Coulter as Isaac Burroughs and
Frank Burbeck as Edward LOCkyer are
almost true pictures of the very rich
American men of high finance.
better cast could scarcely have been
assembled for the play. for all its MEM
bers have been equally fortunate in catch
ing the true atmosphere Of the drama,
and the entertainment is ideal, as no Op-
portunity is lost in the development of
the imaginative and literary qualities of
the play.