New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-06
Louis Mann Runs a Del
icatessen Shop in New
Comedy.
MATHILDE COTTRELLY
IN A GOOD ROLE
Edward LOcke's Latest Play
Proves a Happy Vehicle
for the Star.
"The Bubble" by Edward Locke. At

BY HECTOR TURNBULL.

Richard fgr1nHTn
Joseph Mahlen...........Mr Henry Mortimer
BY HECTOR TURNBULL.
Louis Mann discarded the familiar
spite-fence collar which has distin-
guished him from the regulars at first
nights during the past season and APP
peared on the stage of the Booth The
atre last night as Gus the Delicatessen
Man with his neck naked and quite
unprotected by circlet of the simple,
comfortable lay-down variety Of linen.
This in itself, as fl rst nighters will
readily admit, was an occasion to be
greeted with cheers and applause, and
Mr.. Mann showed his appreciation by
keeping his friends in high good hu-
NOR during the entire evening.
1.-THE Bubble" which is this popular
comedians latest vehicle, bears every
evidence of having been turned out by
Edward Locke to fit Mr.. Mann's peculiar
form Of entertainment. In this respect
it is wholly successful, for the star is
given every opportunity to display his
art. lie makes the old German shop
keeper such sympathetic, amusing
character, and is so admirably sup
ported By Mathilde Cottrelly, that one
finds no difficulty in overlooking the
fact that the play is hatched-up ar
rangement Of old theatrical material
and will never add particularly to Mr..
Locke's laurels as a dramatist.
II has. however, deal Of humor in
it's dialogue. mostly voiced by Louis
Mann and mostly consisting of mis-
pronounced words and certain IN
genious attitude toward the habits OF
the rich that never seems TO lack APP
probation in the theatre. Humor that
is founded upon broken English or a
mistaken pronunciation or unfamiliar
words is a highly popular form OF en-
tertainment, despite the sneers OF the
iEtellectuals, and so long as paroers
are permitted TO have their way IN
trimming the male head il Will remain
a constant fund OF pleasure for the
great public.
Add to this important qualification
the sentimental interest that IS IN
spired by the sight of the old German
and his wife pluckily preparing to be-
gin life anew without a penny, young
lost fortune restored by the young re-
porter lover, and you have tried and
tested comedy that cannot fail to APP
peal.
Gus in a weak moment forsakes his
dill pickles and salads for the wiles
of a fashy stranger, who so imposes
upon the old German that he cheer
fully turns his savings of lifetime
into mining stocsk and plans to live as
a millionaire. lie is armed by his
daughters lover that his flashy friend
is a sharper and a swinGler. but he
paws no attention. Gus doesn't ike
reporters on general principles and he
kates this particular chap, possibly be-
cause he works for financial sheet.
At any rate. he instalis a ticker, leases
a great apartment on the Drive and
changes his Warfield derby for a plug
hat. Just as he is counting his stock
winnings in the hundred thousands the
postal authorities raid the establish
ment of his swindling friend. Lyen
the delicatesse.4 is wiped out, and Gus
prepares to start life again a. car
penter.
But no. Our reporter has yet to
appear. lie has tried to call the deli
catesscn shop with reportorlal dlsre-
gard for telephone charges, but as
Louis Mann tore the strange and devil
ish instrument from its moOrlngS dur
inc one of his paroxysms Of griet, the
good news is delayed till the very end.
Not until then does our dapper nero
anpear. and from his coat pocket he
draws $4,000 The day, the delicate5-
sen and the play is saved. Also, IN ms
gratitude, Louis Mann gives his dauSh-
ter 10 the youth for better or worse.
Mr.. Mann and Nine. Cottrelly have
the best and latest parts OF course
and equally Of course make the play
worth while. Laura Walker plays the
trembling daughter, and Henry Mortl-
mer is fashy and suave as the swim
dler. Harrison Ford only gets eighteen
a week for his services on the imam
cial paper. but he is better dressed
than lots of star men we wot of. How
ever. the stage reporter will always re-
main an unsolved mystery to the lnltl-
ated. They are invariably OF strange,
heroic breed, unbelievably shrewd, and
their strongest characteristic is appear
inc in the nick of time to save des-
nerate situation. One should be CRATE
full that this type only exists IN plays
and novels. Mr.. Ford, nevertheless,
gives the character a ring OF sincerity,
and plays with spirit and no little skill.
Louis Mann will be missed from his
usual seat at the coming openings, but
II is pleasant TO reflect that he Will be
ouite happy in his delicatessen at the
Rooth o. nights and doing out round
MEASURE of good fun to his audiences.