New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-29


What we wonder, will the drama be
when the men come back from the
trenches? 1t is possible that the great
war will burn away that which is
trivial and sentimental and false, but
we doubt it, 1t must be remembered
that D. was "TipDcrary' which carried
the English soldiers to battle.
Past experience does not warrant
the belief that war inspires great
drama. The best play founded upon
the Civil War which we can remember
oifhand S Secret Service 1t is
good melodrama, but hardly worth four
years of slaughter. Shenandoah
"The Heart of Maryland Barbara
Freitchie" and all the rest Of the Civil
War plays are inconsiderable achieve
ments.
Already it is possible to judge the
trend from consideration of Under
Fire" True. the play was written by
an American, but this country is as
much within the war zone as England
as far as the spirit OF the thing goes:
"As GOOD as Secret Service, is one OF
the billings for Under Fire" Perhaps
IL is rot quite so good. but II is rous-
ing entertainment just the same. Yet
after all is said and done II IS mere
imelodrama.
It As a matter Of fact, it will not be
possible TO write great war play until
tho etavchest Of theatrical precedents
has been shattered. Any manager
knows that a play must have a love
story. If the hero destroys a Zeppelin,
sinks a ship or wins a battle IL must
N he for he's sake" or as the girl says
vi In "Under Fire" "fOr England and for
Y Larry" When somebody or other has
The nerve 20 give love the go-by and try
an experiment with hate as a substi-
tute there may come the great play
Of the great war.
Broadway is 10 have one play this
season without love story. The man
ayers OF the Punch and Judy Theatre
are TO produce dramatizatlon OF
Treasure Island" The playwright may
search that book from cover TO cover
without finding heart interest.
Stage reporters are seldom well
drawn characters. Even when a sue
cessful portrait is achieved 1t is al
ways Of the same type, small, talka-
tive man Of bOundless nervous energy.
We would like to see a play with
large. stout, slow moving and sombre
newspaperman. We know lots of sad
reporters.
Speaking of war and the drama, we
forgot to mention the contribution OF
the Spanish war to our stage. But for
that encounter we might never have
had "The Sultan of Sulu' and "R-E-
MORSE. the water wagon is the
place for me-
Frederick NJ. McCloy. manager of the
Columbia Theatre, writes: Our new
PRODUCTION of buTlesque, which Is
called Maids Of America, is one that
the Columbia Amusement Company re-
cards as an example Of it's aims to
establish burlesque among the worthy
things Of the stage"
"'Out Of Darkness" says an an
nouncement from the Lasky press bu-
reau. ais Hector TurnbulPs first orig
ipal photoplay. II is a severe arraign-
nent Of the working conditions of
women and children" Where, we won
dor. did Hector ever learn anything
about working conditions?
Seaver is the home of English AZ
which brought forth Common Clay"
and other Harvard prize plays. II is
n bare room with benches. Above
everything it is a stern room. Profess
sor Baker. the guardian of the course,
is serious man with purltanical
countenance. He looks not unlike
Woodrow Wilson, and yet some strange
alien influence rests upon Seaver 6.
Out of that room. dramatically speak
ing. Of course. have come scores OF
seductions. Ruined women fairly Jostle
one another in the pages Of the plays
written I'm English AZ; vice ramps and
virtue staggers. Adultery leads all
other subjects by a wide margin when
Young playwrights are choosing their
first theme for the stage Why?
Nav Irwin. John Mason and, worst
of all. Jane Cowl. all lgpsed in their
art in one particular during their first
night performances Naturally an all
diencc viii greet a favorite tumultu-
cusly. but that rs no reason why me
actor should bow in the middle OF a
scene or kiss her hand, as Jane Cow
did in Common Clay A scene IS
picture. and am actor ought TO stay put
in his frame.
"Anderson Introduces New Factor in
Drama" says the headline IN moving
picture magazine. The story contin-
nes: &c. NJ. Anderson is now illustrat-
ing his ability TO handle comedy drama
as well as straight drama. In the last
several photoplays he has produced he
inserts comedy into the action. Be
lieving that the seriousness of the film
will be more appreciated and i'm
pressive because of the contrasting
comedy. Mr.. Anderson is adopting the
rule Of taking great care IN studying
cut the best comedy pantomlme which
is possible and inserting it, william
Shakespeare. who wrote the porter
scene for "Macbeth," was another man
who had the same idea.