New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-07


Chauffeur. ............. ..... James Shccran
Gud Pafkcr............- william Collier. ir.
NadRe Fleming ............... Paula Mari
Jessie Abbott. Jessie Glcndcnnins
Mamie Grcy.... ............. Dorothy TnEer
Gretchen. ......... Beatrice james
Sallie Gre. ....... Z eanOr Goocspced
While il is not known just how much
OF ~ Little Water on the Side the
comedy presented las; night at the Hud-
son, is the work of the star. William Col
lier it is safe 10 say that the co-author.
Grant Stewart played the part of the
Chaser" in Concocting the three acts Of
typical Collier humor.
The whole play is composed OF the old
Collier standbys. both I'm incident and
dialogue. but that fact never daunted
last nights audience for they laughed
heartily at everything. Old and new. from
beginning to end.
James Abbott IS Mr.. Collier. again as
the city teller come home TO a country
town to take charge of the family estate.
which consists Of nothing but a torpid
general store. ndifferently managed by
his only sister Without funds and with a
villain of townsman who bosses the vii
lage, James starts out on his nerve to put
the store on business footing and make
money
There is the usual country crowd. speech
making and promise OF love affair
with the villains daughter. Madge Elem
ing. PLAYED rather colorlessly by Paula
Mari William Collier, jr., comes in, too,
as precedent Boy Scout and begins his
familiar work as an accelcrator Of pro-
posals.
In The second act We find James pros
porous and lonely. There are intrigue and
struggle between the villain and James
over a precious bit Of shorelront prop
erty out with some information CLEANED
from n tipsv town character and the
timely aid Of Bud. or Collier. jr.. James
hangs on and discomhts the cristy
villain. At last on a yacht all is wei.
and James has the satisfaction Of beat
ing the villain at his own game. marry
ing Madge and saving the shorefront
property for the use OF his dearly beloved
townsfolk. OF course there is more OF
the plot. country characters in love ana
marrying. farcica buffers. a love AFFAIR
with the sister and an old friend ana
William. jr.. himself making up in his
sophisticated manner 10 q Young damseL
But what need is there for more than
suggestion OF plot in any comedy
where there is such ample opportunity
a Afforded Mr.. Collier TO put over his
latest? He has improved in his selection
Of ouips. too. since his late lamented and
some Of the lines in this comedy are de-
Uciouslv funny. He docs insist. how
ever. perhaps with an eye To Broadway
appreciation OF intimate illusions upon
mentioning n few OF his. one might say.
friends in his best observation-disclosures
/ manner.
Grant Stewart. his co-author plays
Richard Bland. and while nobody really
matters much but Collier. Mr.. Stewart
might contrivc to look bit less uncom-
Portable about IL.
( one Of the best characters in the play,
and one with a remarkably fat part, is
charles Dow Clark as Dates Pitman,
IN. hibulous old veteran. His charac-
terization is consistently good throughout
/ ana PLAYED With finish. John Adam is
b steve RracLctt. village youth with n
penchant Tor staggering suits. who fails
victim to the charms Of Sallie Gray. Il
/ country chewing gum belle. we'll played
+ by Eleanor Goodspecd Jessie Abbott y
PLAYED by Jessie Glendenning. who does
: wolf with her small portion. and the rest
I of tho cast performed nooly their busi-
ness OF appearing AT the proper time with
The required aid FOR Mr. Collier and his
evenings entertainment
"A Little Water on TIE Side. although;
moi remarkable ia any way. is good fun
and ought TO keep Mr. Collier AT tho Hud-
-, for time.