The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-17
ADJUSTMENTS
within the Law

AsilSS lsyilcu. ...................de helen Nailely
Joe Carson ............... Franklin George
Fannie. Florence Tewksbury
William Irwin. Frank c. Bronson
Eddie Griggs. N. Dudgon
inspector Burke. James Hickman
Thomas. s...................... james Hickman
Chlcago Red.. ...............H Harry s. Aarons
Dacey. .........................F Frank Riley
Dan.. n.......................... Charles b. Ross
Williams ................ John McMullin
What a joke is life, That is the theme
of within the Law"
A girl, earning So per week In a depart
ment store, is charged with theft. She is
innocent. The proprietor, typically fat
and greasy, desires an example by means
of which he can give his girls a fright
those who, hungry. lily clad, SICK mis-
cradle have made it a habit to appropriate
the goods which were not theirs. The
girl, therefore. is convicted. The poor.
trembling creature, after telling the pro-
prietor that If he would put an end to
stealing, he must pay his clerks sum
large enough to permit an honest exist
ence, is "railroaded' to jail-for three
years.
Mary Turner. the girl, swears venge-
ance. Released, she endeavors to secure
| employment. The detectives, sleuths who
tremble in the presence Of danger, but
sell all to obey the behest of the rich,
prevent. They tell that the girl is Jail
bird She attempts suicide. and is
rescued by-a crook. Thereafter, she
matches her wits against the wits of the
rich and the wits of the law. She COM
i,,,ft t~,,A
within the law. She inveigles the son of
the proprietor of the store who sent her
to prison--because he had the power in
virtue of his money and because he de-
sired to furnish an example for the re-
mainder of the girls This son loves her,
and marries her. Thereafter. comes the
climax. The home of the merchant is
robbed. The thieves escape-just before
the "coppers' enter-leaving behind the
| girl in the arms of her husband, the mer-
chants son, and the dead body of the
stool pigeon" by means Of whose treach-
cry the detective department had builded
up its reputation lying on the floor.
The girl-Mary Turner-declares that
her husband killed the man; that the
man was burglar. and the husband had
the right to kill. The husband, to shield
the wife. confesses that he is guilty. So
faithful is he in his love- that the girl
loves in return. The real murderer the
crook who had saved the girl in the be-
ginning. trapped ultimately into believing
that Mary was endangered, confesses.
The curtain falls with Mary in tears
and in the arms of her husband.
within the Law Is a remarkable
play It Is. essentially. melodrama. 1t
is natural melodrana. Tt Is a picture
of life, the joke OF the world. 1t shows
the law tool in the hand of the wealthy
1t shows the rich proprietor fattening
himself the blood and bone of the
girls who earn $6 week-who earn that
sum, and starve. or steal-or worse. 1t
shows the detective, the ordinary detective
of every day life. whose skill is blur
and whose success Is based on the
treachery of crook who for money be-
trays his fellows. And In the end It
shows how helpless Is money. how feeble
Is law how impotent is crime, how pitiable
is bluff when subjected to the acid test
a life and death struggle with brain.
Clara Joel plays the star role of Mary
Turner. the girl. Miss Joel is unusually
attractive. This is the first point in her
favor, but not the chief. She is subjected
to difficult task--that of portraying in
natural manner, a most emotional charac-
ter. She does it-wel. She is not the en-
tire show. But she is the greater part
Of 1t. Without her it might not fare so
well. Her support is capable. Helen VAL
lely as Agnes Lynch. the little crook who
operates on the brain of Mary Turner
is furnished a glorious opportunity Her
part Is a most attractive part. Her lines
are superb. Miss Valley pleases. although
there is no question but that she will
take advantage of the splendid oppor-
tunfty offered to grow. Franklin George
as Joe Carson, the talented crook with a
heart, is clever without being superb.
Frank Kilday as Edward Glider. the mer-
chant, lacks In sternness. He is a trifle
too portly and cannot assume to all ap-
pearances. that calculating air, that
shrewdness of expression, that heartless-
ness or department. which seems essential
But the Part OF the actors is as nothing
The play itself is thrilling. Go to see IT.
Behold the joke the law becomes when
discharged by crooks who endeavor to
capture crooks for the favor and money
of crooks. And then ask yourself II a
girl on Sc week. hungry and cold. and
motherless. can live and be honest can
keep her hands from picking and steal
Ing, and her body-cleanI II you decide
as you will--that she cannot, then Won
will have received the worth OF your
money. There are some plays which
furnish the excuse for the existence of the
stage.
Honey Boy Minstrels
The seat sale for the George Evans
Honey Boy Minstrels will begin at the
Jefferson theatre this morning.
The dancing introductions of minstrel
show are always Of Importance to its
clientele and George Evans. who will
bring his new production of minstrelsy
Tor the current season to the Jefferson
Thursday matinee and night is said to
have given a great amount of attention
to this part of his production. Tommy
Hyde. rags" Leighton. Charley Ufer,
Eddie Girton, Willie Newsom and a corps
of other able steppers, are all introduced
in big dancing festival entitled "Dinah's
Wedding Day"