The Washington herald., 1912-01-23
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THE BELAsco.
4The Boss.,,

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There are those actors who achieve
their opportunity TO star by virtue OF a
single hit in some popular success, and
again there are those who earn stellar
honors by hard and painstaling work.
covering many seasons and a variety OF
roles, all focused toward that goal. To
the latter class belongs Holbrook Blinn.
who, by his superb performances as Re-
gan, the boss, in Edward Sheldon's strik-
ing play OF contemporary life at the Be-
lasco. adds another TO the long list OF
finished stage portraits credited 10 his
name.
AS may be imagined. THE Boss" from
the pen OF the man who gave the stage
Salvation NelI'' and THE Niger" is no
milk-and-water concoction written for the
sole purpose OF Willing away couple Of
hours. Rather Is It an unusual exposition
in dramatic form Of conditions presum-
ably existing in some American cities
which permit OF the rise Of an illiterate
and unscrupulous contractor-politician to
a pinnacle from which he dominates poll
tics, politicians, and business as well; in
the end TO be regenerated through the
awakened love of a wife who married
him that she might save her father from
ruin at his hands.
There is no lack of action in THE
rise OF the curtain We learn from James
Griswold. who for the past twenty years,
as head Of the contracting firm OF Girls
void & Co, has controlled the grain
handling business in this Eastern lake
port, that he has been whipsawed, driven
10 the wall and financially ruined
through the Vaccinations OF Michael
Regan, the corrupt boss of the Fourth
ward. We also learn that Emily. Girls
40, k,g fnr
settlement work and has found her best
field in Regan's stronghold. Griswold
has sent for Regan in the hope that he
may secure a months respite in order
10 make good some loans which as d.
rector OF a savings bank he has been
able 10 negotiate. Regan comes and con-
sents TO the delay. but only upon condi-
ton that Emily becomes his wife.
A dramatic scene ensues. with Emily,
seconded by her father and her brother.
refusing Regan's offer with scorn and
loathIng for the man she had begun In
a way TO admire. She learns, however,
of the terrible effect the failure of the
savings bank would have upon the for
tunes OF its chief depositors, the people
OF the Fourth ward. and finally consents
10 marry Regan. but TO be wife in name
only. Regan agrees to this and In addi-
ton forms a merger of his interests with
son Donald in charge OF their half. with
the further understanding that It is TO
be hands OF and each interest to be run
as best suits tho owner.
The next art sees ReGan and his bride
established in a palatial home. but the
boss is far from happy. Donald has
stirred up his henchmen against him and
is engineering a great strike. which
threatens TO put him out OF business.
The hrfVfa IN the lnnw dor
msnt, now rises uppermost, and he fights
hack tooth and nail. with his great ma
chine behind him, to regain his hold.
There is a terrific struggle for supremacy,
during which Donald is assaulted by
Porky Mccoy. Regan's lieutenant.
information furnished by his
wife, Regan Is finally worsted tempo
rarily and lands in Jail. charged with hav-
ing caused the assault on Donald. There
he experiences a change OF heart, and
decides TO give up his elaborate plans
for revenge. Emily learns this, decides
that she loves Regan. and they decide
to start life anew and together.
brief outline Of the story can give
but a faint idea Of the absorbing inter-
est Of The Boss" It is essentially
drama OF the times, vital and striking.
with characters clean cut and for the
most part thoroughly natural
Mr. Blinn gives a brilliant performance
as Regan. He seems fairly to live the
part, and. master technician that he Is,
makes every word, every gesture, and
every movement count. SO much cannot
be said of Miss Maude Fealy's Emily.
Miss Fealy has an attractive stage pres
ence, but lacks the sympathy and woman
illness necessary in vitoiizing the char
acter. II. A. La Motto contributes an
excellent character study as Porky Nc
Coy, and Felix Kremb gives a good per-
formance as Donald. John Troughton
as Gates. Regan's butler, does a small
part perfectly.