The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-14
CRANES new PLAY
AND ITS STORY
1.-THE SENATOR KEEPS HOUSE"
Is TITLE OF AN ANUS
ING PLAY.

William H. crane is to be the next
when he appears there on April Is, in
his latest undertaking, The Senator
Keeps House." 1t is a play OF the
present with it's scenes located in
Washington, D.. c., and the star will
appear in the %congenial role of a
United States senator.
Joseph Brooks is directing the Crane
tour this season and has mapped out
an unusually important series of en-
gagementS because the period marks
the 50th anniversary of Mr.. Cranes
debut upon the American stage. Mr..
Brook began his notable theatrical
career as Cranes first manager and
their business and personal relation
ship has been so pleasant since that
that it is a labor of love for him to
undertake to look after the multi
tudinous details of a tranScontinental
tour for the star in these busy times.
The new Crane play is a story of
domestic life in the national capital
with just a touch of politics injected
into the story to give it the required
atmosphere. Its action concerns Sen
ator Christopher Larkin, the repre-
sentative of a northwestern state who
a brought to Washington the same
principles that made him so success
full in the business world. He under
takes to apply them to public life
Washington. His chief concern at the
outset of the action is with his own
household. A designing admirer has
managed to dismiss his servants. 50
that she will be installed as the head
of the household and eventually mar
ry the senator. Senator Larkin I'M
dertakes to run his oWn domestic at
fairs, and, of course, as any woman
can estimate at a glance, is doomed
to failure. when his home affairs are
at the worst, a lot Of schemers who
are trying to get the senator to re-
pert favorably out of his committee
a spurious land grant they are work
ing through congress-, discover a gen.
tie lady n induce her to take the
position of the senator's housekeeper
in order that she may aid the party
in securing the senator's influence for
the land grab. This lady straightens
matters out so easily for the senator
that he comes to respect her intuitive
grasp Of affairs and even consults
with her as to some of the big politi-
cal problems of the day. When nearly
won over to a favorable consideration
of the land bill, the enato discovers
that his housekeeper would be the
chief beneficiary if the deal went
through congress. In seeking to get
at the bottom of this apparent con
splracy, the senator discovers tina the
woman has been duped by the schem-
ers behind the bill and is quite inno-
cent of any wrong in her advocacy
OF its passage. How he makes matters
right and outwits the schemers fur
nishes the play with its accumulated
interest and holds the action well in
hand to the end. The story is typical
of Mr.. Crane, and his portrayal of the
central character is in keeping with
that style which has made him the
favorite he is upon our stage. 1t is
handsomely staged and well acted by
a capable company. The production
INC scenery We're eatureS of Mr..
Cranes engagement of four months
at the Garrick theater, New York city,
last season, n it Was there that the
piece had its real test and was voted
one of the most delightful comedies
with which this sterling player had
ever associated his name.
The cast will include Harry Har-
wood, Jack DevereauX, Charles RE
gel, Raymond Walburn, Bud Wood
thorpe, Mabel Bert, Lorraine Frost,
Zeffie Tilbury and Marion kerby.