The Washington herald., 1915-11-23
"The Girl Who SnliIes"is
Dominated by Waltz Theme
Adolph Philip Has Not
Achieved His Former STAN
dard in This Latest Work
Which Makes Its Most Last
ing Impression Through
the Incessant Federation
Of a Teasing Melody.
BY JULIA CHANDLER NAME.

The advent of "The Girl Who Smiles
furnished an inauspicious occasion fol
Adolph Philip to come forth with thu
proud announcement that he alone Ia,
been responsible for all the work that
for many years has been appearing un.
der the MONS de plume of Paul Hervt
and Jean Briquet, for this musical com.
edy which made its initial bow to Wash.
ington at the Belasco Theater last night
has less claim to distinction than had
| Alma, Where Do You Liver. Adele
or THE Midnight Girl" behind which
Mr.. Philip also cloaked his identity
with the French combination Of names
Like Madam Sherry" with its EVERY
Little Movement song. THE Girl Who
Smiles" makes its most lasting impress
sion through the incessant reiteration OF
its waltz theme Teach Me to Smile, -
which is sufficiently meIodious to please
the audience during its first rendition.
but becomes tedious in its insistency be-
| tore the final curtain. particularly as
the balance Of the score furnishes in
, sufficient diversity to chase the donjnat
ing melody from ones brain for a mo-
ment
Upon this song hangs the slender
thread OF plot as the object Of Francois
Dechanelle. from the moment he meets
80 'NAiS-o .hdi 10 10 IedCf nef The
art OF smiling, which she has failed 10
acquire through the unhappy environ
ment created In her home by a tyranicaI
father.
Francois Is confident that love will
curve Marie's pretty lips upward n once
he can touch her heart, but father Fabre
has already settled a marriage for his
young daughter with a young whIpper-
snapper who has more money than
brains. The father also selects a mate
Tor his spendthrift son Anatole. who has
not the will of his sister to resist marry
ing the homely lisping little Henriette
according to his impatient parents
wishes without in any way relinquishing
MS former habits of phllandering, which
bring his marriage quickly upon the
reefs Of ruin.
Marie asserts her independence by
running away from home and spend
ing much of her time in the Bohemia II
studio OF Francois and his artist friends
where at last her gay Lothario does in
deed teach her to smile, and win. her
lifelong companionship
Such is the fragmentary story of The
Girl Who Smiles" which has to its cred
II an excellent cast that extracts every
ounce OF merit the piece contains and
ninss 1t over the footlights In dIverting
fashion.
Natalie AT, who created the title roIe
CT Mr.. Philips Adele visualizes Mari.
In this newer piece in captivating man
ner. splendidly meeting the vocal re-
quirements, particularly in her opening
solo Life Has Just Begun" and her
reach Me To Smile" duet with George
Balwin, who gives an admirable per
tormance as the artist lover. sharing
Ait VIII Niiss
In the less vital roles William DAN
torth manages a face that he has
contrived to make look like the taste
OF raw perstmmon, and an in-grow-
ing disposition, with worthy artistry:
faul Decker paints a lifelike picture
OF the worthless son: Marie Fan
chonetti is chic and charming as a
maid: Fred Walton is excellent as the
che1; Lucille Saunders brings the i'm
porous note required to the part of
Madam Bouliere; Ralph Runker is her
silly ass" son. and Lillian Spencer
accomplishes the lisp of her daugh-
ter Henrietta with effective decision,
Ihere Is an exotic dance we'll &C
complished by Dottie King. and Grace
Leigh shares the sensual portrayal of
the Temptation Waltz" number with
Mr.. Balwin. furnishing one of the
most dartngly suggestive stage exhi-
billions l have ever seen.
The Times Producing Corporation is
responsible for the production of The
Girl Who Smiles" which is artistf-
cally staged by Ben Teal. the two
scenes OF the three acts shifting
from the gay country place of the
Fabres to the temperamental studio
of Francois. in which latter the large
chorus does an effective bit of work
in the tuneful We're Looking for
Marie" number.