The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1914-08-22
1.-THE GOOD
FOR NOTHING. !"
Four Part Comedy Drama by
Essanay, with G. NJ. An
dersOn in New Role.

ders0n IN a New Role.
Reviewed by James $ McQuade.
q. NJ. Anderson and the Essa-
nay Western Company at Niles,
Cal, have provided not only u
surprise but strong photodrama
/ in "The Good For Nothing" n
four reel subject The surprise
will DO sprung at the very outset;
for Mr., Anderson has shed his
"Broncho' clothes, AZ have all bls
associates, and appears as the
spoiled younger son of a wealthy
broker.
III is q long time since Mr.. An
dersoD has been seen without
chaps or a ponderous revolver en-
cased IN holster; but the contrast
IN this instance does not betray
any lack of easy manners or self
poise on his part. AS the CAV,
young sport, logged In most ap
proved claw hammer garb and out
for good time with bevy of
fair chorus damsels, he carries
the part with all the abandon and
dash Of Broad way "Wilie" boy.
But do not deceive yourselves
Mr.. Anderson does not go through
the maZes of these four reels with.
out visit to his beloved West.
He makes it the far off country
where the prodigal 500 reaps the
harvest of his follies, aud he
makes it also the Eldorado that
furnishes wealth In the end. But
while "Broncho Billy" is not per
mitted to appear in person, one
can catch glimpses of him now
and then IN spirit, especially in
that scene where he rescups the
sick Indian from D band of COW
boys who are about to hang hun.
Many a good laugh will be
raised by Mr.. Anderson's lmper.
sonation of the good-for nothing
Gilbert Sterling. Through all the
waywardness and consequent hard
luck of the spendthrift. there is
an audacious good humor and bu-
oyant good nature that will ap
peal to everyOne-in themselves
an earnest of the better self that
will dominate his character some
day. The tenderness shown his
heartbroken mother, when his fla.
ther expels him from the home
which he has forfeited by his ex
cesses, somehow raises the hope
that the good in him will finally
prevail. The loyalty and affec
ton borne him by his fathers gen
tie old clerk also point to the
same end.
There are several very affecting
scenes in this photodrama, Dota
bly, the one showing the discov
cry of the Good for Nothing's pa
rents in the almshouse. His de
light and pity on finding them
are so sympatbetlcally expressed
that one is moved to tears. The
scene between him and his broth
er Ralph, who had cast them into
q fIiendless world, stands out in
powerful contrast.
The cast has been capably sus
tanned throughout. The old clerk
is made one of the most prominent
roles by Victor Potel. The deli
cate shading Of this fine character
is worthy Of discriminating praise.
Few Will recognized IN the make.
up Of the old clerk Slippery
Slim or SDicklefritz IN "Pie for
Sophie " The chasm between the
broad farce comedy of the Snick-
lefritz and Slippery Slim types
and the gentle pathos of the loyal
old man in "J'he Good for Moth
ing" is wide; but Mr.. Potel has
bridged it by artistic conception
and subdned acting. Another
well drawn character is that of
the old broker, John Sterling, by
Carl Stockdale. Ralph Sterling,
the beartless brother of the
Good for Nothing is well repre-
sented by Lee Willard.
John Sterling, an aged, wealthy
broker, has two sous, Ralph and
Gilbert. Ralph Is ambitions to
be wealthy and assists his father
u the business of the firm: Gilbert
ia a sower Of wild oats and thinks
only of pleasure. To raise funds,
he sIgns numerous promssory
notes which fiud their way TO his
father for payment. In addition,
he drinks 20 excess, and his foHes
eliminate III his expulsion from
the parental home. Ralph is se-
cTetly pleased at Gilbert's misfor
tune, and still more 40 when be is
made the old partner of his. father.
Gilbert goes out to the West to
better his fortunes, but they sink
to the lowest ebb. Through it all
bis sunny disposition and kind
heart never forsake him. One
lay he discovers sick Indian by
he wayside and carries him to