New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-18
ALL NIGHT CENSORED
TO OBL|CE THE POLICE ?
Princess Theatres Troubles
Cease When Grating OF
PatrOIman Is Cut Out.
QUESTION is, "WH0 DID IT?"
Was 1t in the Interests of Art,
as Manager Says, or of Peace,
as Others, Who Should
Know, Declare?

Did some city official censor the lines
I'm Any Night" at the Princess Theatre
because they pictured police graft from
women, or have the original lines been
eliminated i'm the interests Of art? This
is a question now most interesting 10
theatre managers. who are wondering II
they are going 10 have to obtain 'offi-
cial" approval whenever they want TO
represent city official on the stage.
Those who saw Edward Ellis's play In
its early performances in the. Princess
said that some of the strongest bits OF
the vivid story showed grating by
policeman from women of the street.
TO those who have seen the play within
the last few days. the absence Of all lines
rejecting discredit OH the police has
| come as q surprise. and in spite OF the
declaration of +. Ray comstOck. manager
Of the theatre that the lines were eliml-
mated 10 strengthen the play. the impress
sion continues TO gain ground mat the
| injured sensibilities of the force demanded
soothing. The reported continued dissat-
isfaction of various city departments with
building arrangements and other details
Of the theatre following the presentation
Of the playlet are rumoTcd causes which
contributed to the elimination Of any
features which might be objectionable to
the authorities
When ANY Night was first performed
the opening scene included a dialogue be-
tween a streetwaSer and policeman.
The girl SAYS she has been sick and the
policeman. sympathetic. says in effect:
We'll. YOU don't need 10 give me my
| bit this week"
Tie girl. played by Willette Kershaw.
answers:
That's an right: as long az I'm on the
job here you'u get your bit all right
At a later point in the dialogue the
policeman finds second girl on his beat.
and. thinking her another Of the same
sort. addressed her. saying.
You're evidently new to the beat.
We'll. don't forget little boy blue
Still "a third scene. between the first
reetNalker and patrolnan. ia which
the former offers the patroman money,
added 10 the vividness OF the sketch.
But those earlier admirers Of ANY
Night seeing IL again will find that all
three enlightening bits of characterize
ton have been removed. and the charac-
ter OF the policeman made sympa athletic
IN his bearing toward the street-walker.
There have been some changes made
in the dialogue OF Any Night Mr..
MI Comstock said yesterday. but ! do
not know VINO il was that suggested them
% the author They were made after the
play was first given. There are always
a lot OF people around a theatre who
suggest alterations 10 an author. and
probably some one who thought tie play
could be- improved 10y the cuts was re-
sponsibl in this case
Complaints irom the street Department
of au awning OF glass and steel erected
over the sidewalk and said Ia have cost
200 tile ueighborhood o. 5000. resulting
ausll In orders FOR its removal on the
DAY IL was completed. and a number ot
other cases OF dsapprovM by the city
officials Of building arrangements are re-
ported To have followed the first presen-
tation of the play. The cessation of the
difficulties and the production OF the play
IN it. present form are rumored TO have
been coinciuentdL