New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-14

Nv HAYWOOD BROUN.

In an eloquent defence of melodrama
CLAYTON Hamilton has pointed out that
one Of its greatest charms is the fact
that il deals with charmed lives. THE
abiding mood of melodrama,' he writes,
lis an absolute and dauntless optl-
mism."
Sherlock Holmes" is written and
played in this spirit of confidence. In
fact, in watching William Gillette at
the Empire Theatre last night we felt
that If anything the invincibillty OF
Holmes is overemphasized. Pltted
against such man the efforts of Pro-
lessor Moriarty and his gang are HUI
morous Even in the gas chamber one
cannot help sharing the courage OF the
great detective. The suspense does not
lie in wondering whether he Will es-
cape. but in how il will be managed.
Fortunately the cigar trick is Just as
effective stage device as it was fifteen
years ago.
We are not disposed to quarrel with
the optimism Of Holmes. We think It
entirely proper. Conan Doyle allowed
his detective to fail in only one or
two stories, as we remember, and these
are among the least satisfactory of the
series. Repentance followed swift
upon the heels of the tale in which
Sherlock Holmes was killed, and he was
speedily restored to life.
But If Doyle killed Holmes II re-
NAMED for Gillette TO marry him.
This, we have always felt, was pressing
optimism too far. Simply through
force Of habit it is usually easy TO ac-
cept the prophecy of the playwright
that "they lived happily ever after
ward" but upon seeing sherlock
Holmes" fifteen years ago We rebelled
at the notion of his marrying. Our OBJ
lection at that time, as We remember II,
was largely due TO dissatisfaction with
his announced intention of giving up de-
tective work. Now our protest ; based
upon the more lofty ground OF
eugenics. Morphine and matrmony
are no more agreeable factors than CO.
caine and connublal bliss. As Holmes
might have said, "And a woman is only
woman, but the jab of needles a
thrill"
Yet, if Holmes is trapped in the end
it must be admitted that all the earlier
dangers of the drama are easy for him.
That sinister figure Moriarty has no
terrors for him. Moriarty frightened
us much more than he did Holmes.
Sitting at the desk Of his underground
retreat he suggested, more or less un-
pleasantly, a city editor in the manner
In which he assigned the members or
his staff to various tasks. There was
one man, Craigen by name, upon whom
all the important work seemed TO fail;
II there was man to be murdered
and the body disposed of Craigen's
name would be entered in the assign
ment book. Were there letters to be
forged, of course Craigen would attend
to il. and there was never question
that anybody but Craigen should pre-
pare the gas chamber for the coming
of Sherlock Holmes. The obvious fact
that the man was over| Jrked con
tinued to worry US until che thought
came. perhaps he's on lace.
If given the power to have one de-
sire concerning the drama granted 1t
would be no wasted wish 20 ask for
boyhood again and the privilege OF see
ing Sherlock Holmes escape from the
gas chamber for the first time. But.
failing that. il is a pleasure 70 record
that the thrill is there even IN second
sight. Being just a bit more quick
vitted than the villains, practically
every one in the audience realizes the
ruse a second or so before Moriarty 8
men are undeceived. To be IN on the
secret in this manner makes one eel
almost as if he had in some way or
other contributed 20 the clever trick
4 somewhat similar turn OF psychol-
ogv has contributed largely 70 the sue
cess of sherlock Holmes" Both in
appearance and in the manner IN which
the character is played the Holmes OF
Mr.. Gillette is eyerybody's Holmes.
Tnon seeing him for the first time we
were struck by the fact that the de-
,ective was just as we had imagined
him. This we think Is the experience
81 every one else. Certainly nobody
thinks Of Sherlock Holmes now with
ont drawing a mental picture of
Gillette. ,.u
II is a part requiring great skill.
The role as played by Mr.. Gillette IS
eloouent testimony TO the possibilities
of force which lie in repression. Not
once during the play does the actor
raise his voice above a conversational
tone. and yet in the four acts he has 20
convey any number Of varying emotions
20 the audience.
To attempt a technical criticism OF
Sherlock Holmes would be hardly
worth while. II is above or beyond
criticism, as you chose. As the detec-
tive might describe the play 10 his con-
fidant and best friend It is "Elemen-
49,. nv dear Watson"