Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-14
SERIOUS MELODRAMA
OF FTNANCIER WITH PAST
John Mason in High-Class Play BY
Owen Davis, of "Nellie, the Beautiful
Cloak Model" Fame.

ClOdh
! Reformation is never without its fascination
Whether municipalities or men turn from the
broad road of g dubiously profitable or pleasant
past, the halo Of regeneration 10 thenoatorth
worn with unique distinction We have all our
secret admiration for the hero with a mysterious
and ambiguous career left behind
Therefore tho greater inssrest attaches to the
appearance of John Mason. OF the ablsst
American actors, in q rareHed melodrama,
titled "Drusged." at the Broad Street Theatre
tonight
The author Of 'Drugged." Owen Davis. has
confesssdly put his past behind him. Win
the production Of 'Drugsed' NE Davis assumes
the laurel-wreath Of the serious melodramasist.
Be It known, however, that Mr. Davis is by
means tyro. He has been, for a period Of a
dozen years one of the most financially SUCCESS
full writers Of plays. None OF these plays, 1t
is quite certain, ever has been the subject of
discussions at ethical culture societies nor of
sage and profound studies the drama. Mr..
Davis has not moved in che same circles as Ber-
nard Shaw.
Among Mr.. Davis best known and successful
melodramas were Convict eS9" THE Light
house by the Sea-" chinatown Charlie
Nellie, the Beautiful Cloak Model" and shorty
McCabe." In all. his plays OF this type num-
bered a hundred. We have Mr. Davis word for
it that 70 per cent, hugely successful his
income averaging upward OF $4,000 year. Mr.
Davis personally has not been as we'll known as
his plays Now. however that he had put aside
a tidy sum, and tho begging of a good play out
side the Broadway Offices will not necef Itate
elections from Sixth avenue lodgings and Gfes
and rolls, Mr.. Davis intends to devote h.s-.ss. -
to hgh-class drama. To be quite fair 10 Mr.
Davis. whose confession is naively sincere, we
must admit that many OF who assume high
brow attitudes arc not immune to the thrills
Of those ripping. stirring, pulse-tingling MASTER
pieces OF the Power OF Money" and Her Mar
riage Vow" order
Thrills add to the Joy Of life. and II Mr.. Davis
cannot be cIassed with Ibsen and the dark
brown Danish Norwegian classicists he has
made an amusement-lovtng world his debtor.
Consequently. with mingled anticipations and
hope, we look forward TO seeing his play this
evening.
"Drugged," in which Mr.. Davis says he mas
put the result of his highest and sincersst en-
deavor.' is laid IN California. Tho hero. John
Dexter, is a selt-nade man. prosperous, an in
nuenrial railroad official, ideal husband. i'm
oeccable father The family hero type. He, too.
however like his creator has reformed FROM
4 past-dark. sinister, threatening II rises ana
dogs his footsteps, haunts and terrihes him.
Exposure, we are told. comes early in the play.
Action and thrills follow fast, with the eternal
olay OF romance. and leavening Of humor.
rypically American, the drama is designed to
'ear its message in the movement OF general
eform
Mr. Mason Will be assisted by an able cast,
0clud'ng John Emerson, Amelia Gardner WILL
am sampson, Robert Mcwade, Frank Thomas
ohm Flood, Katherine La Sale and Nan Camp
al, \. H Woods, who FOR many years was
pousor for Mr. Davis sensational rnelodramas,
resents this play. II Will remain at the Broad
or two weeks