The Detroit times., 1914-02-14
.SALACIOUS PLAY
HAS NO EXCUSE, !
SAYS WAKEFIELD
Law Should Prohibit Presenta-
ton of Filth on Stage, Declares
Famous Actor
BELIEVES "MOVIES"
WORST OFFENDERS
Pandering to Basest Instincts
Attributed to Desire for
the Dollars

David Warfeld, the kindly, shrewd
"Auctioneer,' the gentle, lovable old
Music Master" and the loyal. Opt
mistic friend from the unknown
world, Peter Grimm, mas absolutely
decidedly, emphatically no use what.
ever for the white slave play, the
clinic drama, ana the salacions en-
tertainment.
Mr.. Warfield could not find words
strong enough 10 denounce these
things as he talked TO The Times, in
the Hotel Pontchartrain, Friday after.
noon.
Such plays have no real place on
the stage. and there should be ma.
tional laws prohibiting their public
presentation. said Mr. Warheld
The subject matter of the so-called
and, believe me, misnamed, modern
American play is filth undiluted, and
the production of these plays Is made
wholly for money making ends. When
you hear playwright-save the
name or manager, declaring that
such a play is written and produced
for the lesson it teaches--do not be
lieve word OF it, The only lesson
connected with il is, that, all men
are liars, and that sordid minds are
after as many dollars as possible
pandering to the basest instincts in
human beings.
Colt! have no patience with
them.
And the moving pictures-worse
and worse. They, too, should be
strictly censored and the majority OF
them prohibited by law from being
thrown upon a screen. A short time
ago when I was In New York, |
passed by certain theater where a
motion drama called 'Traffckers IN
Souls or some such name. was at
tracing such enormous crowds that
the street was blocked. had the
curiosity to inquire the nature OF
the picture. and what | was told made
me feel Inundated. sorrow-ridden,
lheavy-hearted. that there should be
human beings so ignorant, so low
minded as TO create such a motion
drama. and others who should fight
| their way along a public street in or
der TO get into'a theater to see 1t.
Mr.. Warfeld Is as strongly OPP
posed to the staging of Brieux, as he
is to THE Lure"
az will read my Brieux. and Kin
ldred probers at the sore spots In lie,
but | will not go TO see them acted,
and ! hope the day is not far distant
when the person who produces sueh
plays, acts In them. or goes 10 see
them, will be guilty of misdemean-
orr and Mr.. Warfeld tried to make
his mild and gentle countenauce very
fierce indeed, and his naturally kind
and mellow voice very vindictive.
Speaking of his own stage work in
the last dozen years. Mr. Warfeld
deprecated any personal intention OF
uplifting the drama" in the plays he
has presented, but said he was happy
I'm the belief that he had created a
group OF characters in Simon Levi,
Herr Won Barwig. the Grand Army
veteran, and Peter Grimm. that had
struck a responsive chord in the
public breast, and, that In presenting
these characters, he had emphasized
the better traits in human nature.
"Of these characters, think ! like
simon and Her Won Barwig the best.
said Mr.. Warfeld. II played Peter
Grimm as long as | could. and longer
than was good for me. II was a ter
rible strain upon my nervous vitality
You have no idea of the strain OF
that character. especially In the sec
ond act of the play where, for over
an hour had TO maintain an unsee
ing countenance and stand uhheeded
by all OF the other characters despite
mv desperate efforts TO make myself
known 10 them. The concentration oil
1.-THE character OF Peter Grimm required
is beyond belief except TO myself who
had over three years of Il. J will
never undergo such a strain again.
Mr.. Warfielj, although as years c.d
and with hair OF silver, has the IN
lined face OF child. the eager man
ner and enthusiastic interest in life
OF a young lad AS he speaks his
earnestness and interest In the topic
OF the moment. finds added express
sion in the smile on the lips, the qhiv
or OF the mouth. the tear In the eye
the quick and ever-changing counte
nance that marks the Warneld OF the
stage.