New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-22
BY HAYWOOD BROUN


Some day there will be a play in
which the young man quits drinking
for the sake Of his kidneys, or his liver,
but last night rum was Tilted once
again in favor of lady. And she was
quite a charming person this Little
Lady in Blue" as played by Frances
Starr, even though one might oeca-
sionally wish for a greater vocal fex-
ibility than that displayed by the &C
tress. Yet both her notes are pleas
ant.
The comedy is laid in the year 1920,
which only goes to show how old are
the plots of "The Fortune Hunter,
Turn to the Right" mile Minute
Kendall" and the rest. What the play
lacks in novelty is largely made up IN
charm. This is a fair exchange and II
"The Little Lady in Blue were as ex-
cellent throughout as in its best scenes
il would be a delightful entertainment
But there are moments when the quaint
ness of the comedy is rubbed in a bit
by actors and authors and between an
amusing first act and pleasing last
one there lies a second act which Is
dull.
In part this fault is that of Horace
Hodges and r. Wigney Percyval, who
wrote the play, but Frances Starr does
not help much by playing siren scene
i'm manner far too pallld. The play
concerns the fortunes of Pennies
young woman who chances TO learn that
there is a fortune in store for scape-
grace if he will reform. The young
man is ignorant of this provision OF his
grandfather's will, but the little lady IN
blue decides to bring about the refor-
nation and profit thereby. In winning
her man she loses her heart and con-
fesses to the hero the mercenary mo-
tives which first inspired her mission
arv work. However, a little confession
ike that is hardly enough to halt the
progress of true love. The young lady
gets the man she loves, and with him
the 100000, TO which she is all but in
different.
The best acting in the play is done
by A. G. AuureGs. late Hobson, Of
"Hobson's Choice" Again he is a
crotchety old man, but we find him
when the vitriol in his veins has all
but run out. He is the gentleman
with the 100000. and it is through
him that our heroine. Anne Churchill,
learns of the potential wealth Of
Anthony Addenbrooke. Quite the
most charming scene in the play is
that between the girl and the old
man in the first act. He did not live
to see Acts and 3, which was a great
pity. II is hard to forgive authors
who kill off their best character so
early in the evening.
The humors Of age are not entirely
neglected in the latter portions of the
play. for George Giddens is most anus
ing as a mellow old salt named Cob
bledick. The second act is in the bar
parlor of an inn, and it is here that
the heroine finds and first engages the
attention of the hero. 1t seemed TO us
that the young man might have chosen
to remain in the thrall OF the brazen
hussy who had formerly been his fancy,
for neither the authors for Miss Starr
saved Anne Churchill from playing her
captivating scene somewhat crudely.
There was no very good reason why
the heroine should sing, but she did
Just the same, nor was 1t entirely OBJ
vlous why the hero should determine
upon reform, but he did.
Perhaps it was just as well, for the
tnllQ ACT IdllleU HiCtIy' q ~" i"'''
pleasing was scene in which Anne
proved to a grouchy old admiral. that
she had been the companion OF the
hero's studies by quizzing him in
signalling with sails when there is no
wind" He funked. and no wonders;
Horace Hodges and T. Wigney Percy
val themselves seemed sometimes at a
loss as to what TO do in periods which
were overcalm.
The play is we'll cast, well mounted
and lighted with the rare skill when
is associated with the staging OF DAVID
Belasco. Perhaps its strongest appeal
Is pictorial. Miss Starr, of ali
actresses. is never at a loss to make
the best possible use of her grace IN
nose and movement. We doubt II she
5 as gifted In light roles as In the
more pretentious ones which she mas
nlayed' It was noticeable that her
bcst scene was one in which she had
TO weep a little. She was faithful 10
the Beiasco tradition. They were real
tears.