The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-30
"Tbe Master Mind.

The audience at the Academy of
Music last evening applauded The
Master Mind. not the play but the
actor. In doing 80 they applauded the
logical William, something very I'M
usual In a Richmond theater and prob
ably in the majority of playhouses'
But by applauding him the audience.
no doubt. meant TO show appreciation
of his acting rather than appreciation
of the play or his part in II.
Willis Granger is the actor of the
company. and played his role of the
Vengeance seeking brother. whose one
great desire led hin, to become SO great
d power in the underworld that crooks
OF all kinds feared and obeyea him, In
excellent fashion Other members OF
the cast possibly got from their parts
ss much as was possible.
The audience broke into applause at
intervals. anyway. Just why they be-
came enthusiastic as each detail OF the
plot at vengeance was perfected and
why the character whose mad desire
70 vent his wrath on the district at
iorney, who had seen to tho enforce
nent of the law. should meet with their
appreciation would possibly furnish a
little study in psychology should any
: Of the first- nighters be inclined TO par-
sue it. why their sympathy should
have been WITH the MAN WHO WUaIu
ruin the lives OF severai. among them
a girl whom hs had fathered and
snoshered during four years. for the
sake Of n moments revenge, Is worthy
az study Some would, no doubt, say
ST lis the sign OF the times. others
would hold that the audience knew
that he would relent at the last mo
rlent and that the play would turn
ont all right, Just as all American
plays do. And-then. they had to ap-
plaud sorn ething or somebody.
So far as The Master Mind Is con-
eerned there Is all possible reason for
speculation as to why the affair should
have been staged. The plot might be
an excellent one for q novel and The
reading Of such n book would proha-
bly, be Interesting in that ii would
allow an exhaustive study OF THE
Master Minds" character, but as play
II fails to prove sufficiently interesting
10 cause an audience to warm TO H.
The acting of Wills Granger atone
carried 1t through.
He, known only as walter" alias
"The Master Mind" loved dearly q
brother executed by order of the Law
which was enforced by CORTLAND VAIN
wright. the district attorney For for
~ years he lives with one idea, that OF
revenge on the man whose prosecution
not persecution. sent this brother &c
the electric chair. To further his ends
he becomes power in the criminal
world he picks girl from the gutter
gives her police record. then edu-
Gates her and prepares her to become
the wife OF Wainwright. knowing that
this viii be easy because of the love
already existing between them. This
love had its start when the girl saved
the life Of the attorney after an acct
dent Then he provides the wife with
mother. father and brother. all OF whom
have records so that he may give the
attorney. who meantime has risen poll
tcaily. ard is a candidate for the gu
bernatorial chair. the option of throw
ing aside his aspirations for publis
ONCE or having the records OF his en-
tire family published to the world a.
timo which would mean the ruina'
lion. Of his hopes.
1T Is all worked up for YOU thers
On the stage. detail by detail There
are other matters such as the elop
nent OF the girl with crook to max,
the attorney suffer further. but tht
girl weakens and shows her love FOL
her husband at the critical moment ant
THE Master Mind" weakens after h
has bosted the husband. and refuses
10 force his revenge. SO. of course
the tormented pair live happily eve
after.
Miss Bette Keith. as the girl ans
wife, did her best throu ghout. In spit
Of an apparent bad cold and at time
was convincing. C. G. Gourand ant
Miss Helen DavidEe, as John and Mrs
Blunt. got the most from their roles
but the Walter of Charles J. Collin
was overdone. Practically all of tn
applause was given Willis Granger
c. NJ NJ.