Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-08
(By George A. Benson.)

We are under great Obligations TO
Nat Goodwin. who last night present.
ed Never Say DE- at the Metropoli-
tan. He is the first actor that has
come our way in many moon. and
he gave a most delightful evening.
After q narrowing season of motion
picture perils and adventures, it was
quite novelty to see real flesh and
blood actors and to hear the voice
again interpret the thoughts of the
playwright, even though he has little
to offer.
'Never Say Die" is Of no great con-
sequence. 1t is good farcical enter
tainment, but it is not the vehicle Nat
Goodwin wants. The play was used
less than two years ago by William
Collier. Some critics say Mr.. Collier
had a hand in penning it. but. on the
program. VIM. H. Post is given entire
credit for it. The same play was used
in London by William Hawtrey. that
clever English character comedian.
There are several very clever situa-
tions In the play, but there is just
little too much padding common
fault with farces. The play Is a fare
ical use Of the central thought Of Co
nan Doyle's Fires of Fate" or Rex
Woodbury.. Interpreted by Mr.. Good
win. is told that he cannot live longer
than a month His friends prospec-
tive mother-in-law suddenly loses all
her money, and Woodbury. marries
the daughter so he can leave her
wealthy widow She goes away to Rus
sia. and is gone for year. During
her absence. her husband tries to
dance and drink himself into the grave.
ment. The wife returns and, of
course, falls in love with him.
Nat Goodwin is our chief consider
alton. Without him, the title would
have to be changed to Gone and Not
Mourned." Mr.. Goodwin reminds us
very much of John Drew in THE Per-
picked Husband" He has Mr.. Drew's
admirable talent for getting more out
Of 9. role than the author wrote. II he
could only forget that he has a nose.
his performance would not be
marred by mannerism. Too many ac-
tors of the old school have manner
isms that. detract from the interpreta-
tion of roles today. when managers
and play-goers demand realism.
But the fact remains that Nat Good
win is a great actor. We should like
to see him in something better-his
Interpretation Of .Fagin, for instance.
never associate him with Charles
Dickens crafty Jew. and, yet, writer's
say his INSTALLATION of this remark
able character role is the greatest
stage picture he has contributed. In
Never. Say DIE" he gives flashes Of
good character work. but they are too
fitting to be really appreciated.
Mr.. Goodwins presentation Of the
play is marred by the supporting COM
pany, which, by the way, is headed by
Margaret Moreland, In private life.
Mrs. Nat Goodwin. Miss Moreland is
not a good actress. She endows the
role Of, Violet Stevenson with a de-
lightful. touch Of %.sirlhood which
makes. it appealing, but it Is not
deep Interpretations. Ieador MARCEL, as
Sir John Fraser, comes nearer fulfill
ing the demands of the role than any
member Of the supporting caste.
IN q way, last nights performance is
sad commentary on American dra-
matte conditions. Mr.; Goodwin is too
In such q play. Yet. his experience
ie the same that other great actors are
having. They cannotsget good plays.
Still, they say that thousands Of Am
orleans are writing plays every year.
What becomes Of them?, Either the
to, gsye the youthful
dramatist q hearing, or. that great
army Of aspiring authors is turning
out mighty poor material.
Many stars are forced to follow 9TH
er actors In plays. or they must make
reviv6lSi Of former successes. Margar-
ct Ellington. tho hope Of the traGic
stage ID America. AZ David Belasco
said. followed 1iisst Jane Cowl In
WITHIN. the Law" and she ID Z grcaf. |
er actress than Miss CowE She play