The Washington herald., 1914-09-29
ToDAY's PHOTO DRAMA

Horace Plato married his stenographer,
Florence Lloyd. a pretty young widow.
and in his heart he loved her. Yet Horace
maintained an attitude Of simple friend
ship toward his wife, refusing to be
anything other than brother. as il were,
that was his idea OF Platonic love. Horace
believed himself lineal descendant OF
the philosopher, Plato. and it was his
ambition to demonstrate to the world
that love. in is purest sense. discounted
seX-in fact, everything except the men
tai compionship OF two souls whose
thoughts vibrated to the same tune of
reasoning.
Have you ever met such a person as
this? No. Well. there are plenty OF them
in the world They call themselves apOs-
tie Of Plato, and in their poor deluded
hearts they believe themselves above all
the human passions which have always
guided the world in its mating.
Young Mrs. Plato held different ideas
than her husband, though she appeared
to Concede his viewpoint. Once married
she set out to win this man as Il rrac-
tical lover and husband. Whether she
accomplished this. the trying events
which for a time seemed to threaten the
happiness OF two normal people makes
one Of the most amusing comedy dramas
il has been our pleasure TO see in many
months.
Capt. Leslie T. Peacocke is the author
OF the scenario. Originally the play vas
written under the title Of Mr.. Plato
for the legitimate stage. and at present
there is every promise that il VIII find
its way into the New York Rialto within
the coming year. Realizing the possibili-
ties. however. OF this composition, the
Universal. at a considerable figure, Sc
cured the rights OF adaptation. that their
patrons might enjoy the delicious humor
which it contained first.
Horace Plato. enacted by Matt Moore,
Victor star, spends considerable time lee
turing and writing articles on the SUB
ject Of platonic loo He thoroughly be-
lieves in his philosophy, and attempts,
with Indifferent success. to make con-
verts of his friends, his servents, and
his stenographer. Florence Lloyd, a win
some widow. Plato, without fully realiz-
ing it, is in love with Florence. and she
in turn loves him. Yet she realizes that
the winning of him in the way she de-
sires will be a delicate and difficult mat
ter. To enliven this situation, Charlie
Denton, another wealthy Young man. is
also in love with Florence. and urges
his suit with persistency. Plato awakens
to the danger in young Denton's suit
becomes jealous, and determines upon a
quiXotic measure. He informs mis- stenog-
rapher that she must marry him imme-
diately, explaining the while that they
can occupy different apartments in his
home and that they will demonstrate
to the world at large that pIa.cnic love
can be brought to a practical issue.
Florence. believing that once married
to him she can win him over in a prac-
teal way. agrees. They are married. In |
the scenes that follow, with Plato en-
deavoring to make pToselyttS OF his
friends and servants. and his pretty
young wife exercising all her charms to l
inveigle him away from the doctrines OF
Plato, we have some Of the most anus
ing and cleverly wrought situations in
the play. His friends pretend conver-
sion to escape argument: the servants to
continue in their position.
Shortly following the marriage Horace
and his wife receive an invitation 20 a.
house party at a hunting lodge in the
mountains. Social obligations demand
that they accept it. They arrive at the
lodge. to be followed by numerous guests
Before night comes on Horace is threat
ened with the necessity of occupyin:; the
same room with his wife. He is horride1,
frightened, and angry. He TusheS out
OF the house, preferring to spend the
night on the lawn rather than foreEo
his ideals. Florence is discouraged
1t seems the last straw on the camel's
back" and with the hope OF winning her
husband gone, she is on the verge of
eloping with Denton. Horac" learns OF
this. and the knowledge brings a conhictl
of emotions never before experienced by I
the foolish young benedict. In the end
he decides that anything is better than
the loss Of this handsome. human, young
girl, his wife, and when Florence at the
last moment refuses to abide by the
elopement plan and returns. he takes her
to his arms with the thoughts and feel
ings of a normal man overriding all else.
The conversion is complete. Plnt"nic
love is relegated to the scrap heap so lar
as this Iineal descendant Of the philos-
opher is concerned.
This picture will. he .cleased by the
Victor Company October .. i