Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-01
Columbia.

nc hdiIDON mas been FURNISHED
since 1t first shone in Washington, be-
fore going to New York to cast an eff
fulgent glow upon Broadway, and the
audience at the Columbia Theater last
night was we'll pleased with Henry Mill
er. who played Neil Sumner with all his
characteristic excellence A slight change
or TWO since 1t was seen here last has
made better comedy of the play. and. in
addition to the perfect sweetness of the
story. \. e. Thomas comedy was seen
last night seemingly perfect in detail and
with a rich smOOthness in the acting of
every member of the cast
The Rainbow Is a succession of well
constructed scenes. SO balanced that the
underlying theme of the story is strength
ened gradually by the series of contrasts
presented. The main element of con-
trast lies in the presentation of Cynthia
Sumner. charming young girl, daughter
OF Neil Sumner. Her lines, deftly writ
ten. make her appear the perfect type of
g gro''nG a. against sn suggested back
ness and innocence have gone forever.
The burden Of this role is on the Shout
ders of Ruth Chatterton, and her portrayal
OF 1t is delightfully."- pleasing. One can
scarcely imagine prettier pictures than
those which occur between Miss Chatter
ton and Mr.. Miller. as the young girl, the
daughter, talks-just talks-With her
father The author has given them the
task OF making a great scene out of in
significant things. and they fall to the
task with a will and accomplish it.
1.-The Rainbow" tells the story of Nell
Sumner, whose wife had separated from
him ten years previous. taking the little
six-year-old girl with her. AS the play
is written. the local color of the opening
scenes shows that Sumner, in his ten
years, has taken up with a horse.racing.
ard-playing. rather loud set: albeit he
has not lost a certain nobility Of char
acter and bigness of heart, as appears in
the after scenes. In the midst of situa-
ton wherein Nicholas Hollins, played by
Robert Stowe Gill. a sporting character
with shady record, cast moral murk
upon the atmosphere, Cynthia comes sud
denly. and her coming is like CLEAN Of
light in a dark place. Neil Sumner has
not seen his daughter for ten years, and
instantly he rehabilitates himself and his
habits for her sake. Here is where the
experienced women Of the racing world
are shown in contrast with the delightful
little Cynthia. A sympathetic stroke Of the
authors pen makes Neil Sumner surrep-
titiOuSly cover up defalcation of his
wife's brother. while the wife. in blissful
ignorance that her fortune has been dis
spated. goes about spending the sup
posed dividends she receives. little know
ing that it is the husband whom she
left years before who is paying them.
At 1.-The end of the rainbow they all
find their treasure, of course. and the
sweet little daughter. refusing to leave
either father or mother, effects a reconcil-
iation. 1t is a play which leaves one
perfectly satisfied at it's close.
The supporting cast Is one of uniform
excellence. Ann Crewe. as Betsy Sumner,
Cynthia's aunt, has a wholesome man.
ner in her stage presence. and Edith
Barker as Nedrs wife is just as effect
i've as she was year ago. Robert Stowe
Gill, a rather picturesque racing character
Of the more refined type, adds enough
of
lain to make one almost hate him, and
he does it we'll. Vera McCord, as Jane
Palmer. we'll known type of woman Of
the world is entitled to credit also.