New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-13
By HECTOR TURNBULL.

Earl Derr Biggers. the author Of the
novel "The Seven Keys to Bsldpate,"
which George NJ. Cohan turned into a
highly successful farce last season, es-
sayed the role of the Compleat Play
wright recently, and the results of his
labors were disclosed at the Longacre
Theatre last night with the opening OF
the engaging melodrama Inside the
Lines" We have a decided weakness
for melodrama when il is we'll played,
and il must be confessed that, despite
the well-worn ground plan of Mr.. Big
gers's play. there are many more inter
esting features in the production than
the playing which is, for the most part.
good. Tho author has been shrewd
enough 10 remember that his melo-
drama, while based upon the European
war. is also destined for American con-
sumption. Therefore. he has made the
"man- from home appeal stand out
from every possible nook and corner.
The heroine is a gown buyer for big
American store. and the cast is charged
with stranded Americans. who recollect
their home town in their dire straits
with such melting sentiments that he
would be poor patriot who could not
give them good measure of sympathy.
Nor did the author overlook the far
reaching power OF modern advertis-
ing when he chose the Rock Of
Gibraltar for the locale Of his play.
This invaluable stronghold Of the Brit
ish forces is the point from which the
German War Office seeks to direct q
terrific blow against the British navy.
From the signal tower, which is fitted
as a control station for the mines in
the strait, the Germans plan the
destruction of a British feet, then
modified directly over the mines.
They send trusted spy, with full in
structions regarding communications
with other agents within the fortress.
All goes well for bit, with the audi
ence almost convinced that the stern
captain is really a German spy. until
the very, very end, when all puzzles
are solved and the hero is smiled upon
in utter, trusting, beatifc rapture by
Jane. the beautiful buyer.
OF course, there are lots Of doings in
between. Orders Kissed, secret COM
communed, cabaIistic
countersigns given and taken, darkling
plots foiled by the heroine, jolly din
ner parties, homely witticisms ban
died, and here and there love pas
seller. The three acts are crowded
with the above details much elabo-
rated. Lewis s. Stone, who led "The
Misleading Lady" not long ago, is the
hero spy, and he occasionally drops his
intense, stern errand of life and death
attitude long enough to convince the
cooling and saccharine Carol McComas
that he is hers and hers alone. Miss
McComas accepts his attentions with
almost childlike confidence, and is
therefore rewarded.
James Bradbury, who can always be
counted upon for Q finished character
ization, gave the American father an
appealing note of genuineness. Ivan
Simpson made his short scene as a
broken-down Secret Service man one of
the best acted in the play. Macy
Harlan had the role of an Indian ser
want in German employ, which he
played with smoothness and the re-
quired intensity, and Henry Stephen
son gave the General certain color
and command As Lady Crandall,
Marion Abbot did the honors to the
stranded tourists with all the eclst
becoming a true-born American, and
the rest Of the cast added their par
ticular touches here and there.
Altogether, there is nothing startling
" new about this second war melo-
drama to enter New York, but it is
entertaining in spite OF its occasional
crudties Of construction. so what more
could one ask Of a thriller