The Washington times., 1916-04-11
Henry Miller and Ruth Chatter
ton Play Leading Parts In
Pleasing Show.
YOUNG STAR WELL RECEIVED
Cast Supporting Pair Proves
To Be Excellent and Most
Satisfying.

Hailing a young and comparatively
new star. as a great actress 10 some-
times n thankless task. and one which
should not be lightly assumed, but
the temptation to claim as such Ruth
Chatterton, who plays the role or
Judy" in "Daddy-Long-Legs" at the
National this week, Is too strong to
resist.
This play had its premiere perform-
ance in this city two years ago with
Henry Miller, figuring as the pro-
ducer only. This year he Is one OF
the cast, and Miss Chatterton is bet
ter than before.
Just how much OF her greatness is
due to the sympathetic characteristics
OF the role OF the little orphan girl
heroine of the play founded on the
Jean Webster book of the same name.
and how much Is due to the presence
I in the cast. and the direction OF
Henry Miller, cannot be estimated.
However. It is not going too far. In
the opinion OF the writer. to say that
| even In another role, with another
cast. and under the direction OF am
| other producer. Miss Ruth Chatterton
would rise to the occasion.
Tribute to Ability.
In this present role. and under the
present conditions she gives a por-
traiture that Is a credit not only to her
but to the discretion and ability or
Henry Miller. That this estimabIe star
and producer Is technically pleasing
while sentlmentally delightful in the
role Of Jervis Pcndelton, "Daddy-Long-
Legs" himself. is to be expected. But
that he would so far eradicate himself.
and be presented merely as a member OF
the cast. is in itself great tribute to
the abilities of Miss Chatterton.
As Judy" the little girl who is taken
out OF the John Grier Home. she has a
far greater opportunity for the display
OF rea! talent than one would suppose
existed In n play seemingly founded en-
tirely upon the sentimental idea of the
plight of orphans.
In Act I, where she confronts the ma
tron of the home. before the trustees.
in her drab sloppy clothing. with
nothing unusual to recommend her but
the power and sweetness of her pale
face and masses of gold hair, Judy"
is treading on the brink of the tragedy
OF he: life. II Is moment as equally
great. to her. and to that type which
more seriously considered examples Of
the drama. The fact that Daddy Long
Legs Is a comedy does not rob II Of
several fine moments OF tragedy. Miss
INuh.tertOH rises 10 tne OCCabion III al
OF them.
Demands Her Rights.
i Judy" tells the matron of the John
Grier Home what she thinks. curses
its hard fisted charity. demands her
right to live. and gives her ultimatum
in a declaration of independence. In 50
doing. she attracts the attention OF one
OF the trustees, Jervis Pendelton. whs
admires her spirit. and. under the di.
rection and suggestion OF a friend. Id
sends here to college.
Judy" does not know who her
benefactor is. but dubs him "Dadays
Lorg-Legs." from the queer shadow
which she has been told was his.
which she sees from the window OF
the orphan asylum just after she has
found out that she Is to go to college.
| "Jervis Pendelton." as himself, she
meets during her first year at college.
This comprises act II: act III Is given
over to her refusal OF "Pendelton" in
the home of his old nurse, whers
| Judy" has spent her vacations, and
act " reveals to her at last. the fact
that "Jervls" and her adored Daddy
Long-Legs" are one and the same
man. Her doubts that a "Pendelton"
there
The cast supporting Miss Chatterton
and Mr.. Miller Is most excellent ana
FLORENCE f. YoDER.