New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-11
NEW PIECE BY W.
SMITH AND V. MAPES
Proves One Of the Most Charm
ing Light Comedies of Recent
New York Seasons.
"The Boomerang" a new comedy in
three acts by Winchell Smith and Vic
tor Mapes. At the Belasco Theatre.

"The Boomerang" presented last
night at the Belasco Theatre, IS true
light comedy. David Belasco has de
voted the genius OF his stage direction
10 no more delicate little work than
this comedy by Winchell Smith and
Victor Mapes, and the success that 1t
ought and in all probability will obtain
will be richly deserved. From out the
rattle Of slap-stick farce "The Boomer
ang" canes to US as the shadow Of
great rock in weary land. Thrice de-
lightful is tin writing, IN acting and
in stage management.
DR.. Gerald Sumner is a young physl-
clan without patient. To him comes
Virginia Xclya, a young girs, ne
Swiss, half American, who, stranded
in America, wishes to be nurse
Sumner engages her to take charge OF
his office. Enter Mrs. Creighton
Woodbridge and her son, Budd. Butd
is on the verge of a nervous break
down, caused, unknown TO his mother,
by his love for Grace Tyler, who, as
many a young mink has done before
her and. alas, will do after, has be-
come bored by Budd's too evident al
tentions and for relief has turned 20
/ a rival, Preston De Witt. Sumner
diagnoses Budd's complaint, and puts
/ him under the charge of a nurse. Of
course. this nurse is Virginia, and Nir-
ginia manages SO we'll to keep Budd's
/ attention Off his love that at the end
J Of a month his nerves are quite re-
stored.
But Sumner is playing a deeper
+ game. Not only has he attended to
his patients bodily wellbeing, but he
+ has also reused Grace's jealousy. He
arranges a surprise party for Budd, and
/ at it throws Budd and Virginia togeth-
er until Grace breaks down and is
promptly kissed by Budd. Things are
working quite as Sumner wishes them,
when whanging back comes his own
boomerang. Mrs Woodbridge discov-
ers that Virginia is an helress with a
rich uncle, and when De Witt learns
this he promptly makes love to her.
Virginia, however, is in love with
Sumner. but. like Viola, she has never
told her love. Sumner, too, Is in love
with Virginia, but he does not realize
this until he thinks she is engaged to
De Witt This is the boomerang, and
Sumner is felled by the very cure
which he has used so well upon his
patient, Budd Needless to say. all
ends happily Budd with his Grace,
Sumner with his Virginia.
This is the comedy, or rather the
comedy's skeleton, for a mere outline
gives but a hint of the grace, the hu-
NOR. the evanescent gayety of the lit
tie piece. Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Mapes
have written as charming dialogue as
any American authors have yet shown.
Better still. they have shown feeling
for character and psychology that has
breathed life into the action. Sumner
and Budd and Virginia are not puppets,
but human beings, little whimsical
perhaps, but only the more lovable for
their whims. If 1.-THE Boomerang does
not plumb the depths Of human char
acter, it touches lightly but no less
truly the surfaces of life. We all Of
Us men and women, highbrow and low
alike, will be the better for seeing it.
The acting was worthy of the play.
; Arthur Byron as Dr. Sumner might
4 have Just stepped out Of a physicians
office. and despite a slight overworkiRg
/ Of his facial muscles, gave beauti-
fully finished performance, while
/ Wallace Eddnger as Budd Wood
bridge quite won the hearts Of
/ the audience. No sincerer imper-
sonation has been seen in New
York for many seasons than that Of Mr..
Eddingcr's. Miss Martha Hedman's
technical mastery, her simplicity Of
touch, and her beauty. which had been
thrown away in so many unsuitable
plays. at last found their opportunity.
and made of the nurse a character truly
delightful. Ruth Shepley was charm
in mPcnue, Mr.. Douglas suave as De
Witt. and Mrs. Dellenbaugh dstin-
guished Mrs Woodbridge. The staging
was Mr.. Belasco's Photographic method
at its best. a method which III the
Boomerang" can bring forth no objec-
tons