The sun., 1916-11-19


adapted" their characteristic quail
ties have been destroyed; they have
afforded no instruction for the Ameri-
a author. they have become bad
plays which provoked during an ex-
tended period bad limitations. and the
insult was inflicted on the French
dramatic literature Of calling them
plays with a Frenchy flavor"
I think two American authors were
happily Influenced by the French
stage, the late Clyde Fitch and David
Belasco. who. I hope, will not pro-
test II I call him the American
Sardou. Plays like Tho Girl Of the
Golden West" or The Heart Of Mary
land" are, whatever their literary
merits may be. In themselves q school
for good acting and that IL the reason
why I ind a similarity between Mr..
Belasco and Sardou.
One Of the most essential factors
for a prosperous development Of the
stage 10. of course, the collaboration
Of the press. And here IL q very dell
cate matter to discuss. How delicate
1t IL I might show by an example.
Some two or three weeks ago q the.
atre In New York had a premiere Of q
play which received from the critic OF
one OF tho most important papers In
New York a most crushing criticism
Tho criticism was printed In the sec.
ond column of a page. and across the
third and fourth columns of the same
page appeared on the very eame da,
nm iprp,anen o..
OF co1rse-announcinE in the mos,
bombastic style the sensational sue.
cess Of the same play.
While II II very legitimate for
newspaper to sell its advertising epac,
to whoever pays for Il, such an Incl.
dent is for the observing theatrcgoeI
rather confusing. What attitude ha,
he to take In regard to that dramatic
critic II the newspaper itself destroy.
tho effect OF his severe and in tho cas-,
mentioned very Just criticism? Tn,
press should guide tho public regard
less OF Its commercial advantages to.
ward the good theatre" What righ'
has the critic OF "a Newspaper 10 ask q
theatrical manager to sacr!nce bust.
ness to art IL his W paper docs no
do II?
The most striking feature In the at,
titude Of the press Is the importan
space which tho newspapers grant 4
tho moving pictures and their inter
prefers. placing this popular amuse
mcnt. from which art and literatur,
are forcibly excluded. on the pedests
belonging to tho legitimate stage
There nre many people who believe tn,
moving pictures do not imply a DANCE
TO the stage. ] ain not OF this cpin
ion. ] think. on tho contrary, tn,
moving pictures are \ great danger
especially In this country, whore the,
have already driven out the leg.timat,
drama from It's legitimate homes an,
where apparently liinitless means mr.,
available TO pay the interpreter o
movie plays salaries which tho logiti
mate actor DID not even dare (,
dream OF.
have teen como U. thcee play.
none Of thon deserves q scrious dis
custom. They are as fer from Ora
matte literature As the roman dun,
concierge" in France - .ar from Il.
real literature.
But somebody will ark ne, Why or
Tor the good theatre" II shows NOV
!ns pictures. hip~podiomes. the c!rcu
ond cabarcts are crowded? Thar. III
theatrical manager Is entitled TO say
Tho public does not want the goo
theatre; it wants amusement, no
only light but low amusement" An,
/ shall answer: mo, the public want
n letter amusement. an amusement q
a higher class, and Il It IA offered {
the public constantly md with tcnac
lily Is will become 10 the public a cher
irhod habit"
The other day ! went 70 tn oro-
nous Place o. amusement in Ne,
York; tho house was packed to til
doors; tho big dazzling spectacle {.
tered was a fri-htful bore 10 inc. Tn
public was just as bored AZ ] vas:
was surrounded by sad faced peapl,
WHO hardly ~apTlaudcl o. did 1: hal
hear;odly. I hear. however, that II.
same dense crowd Is packing the l.ous
twice daily. Then | must prcsum
that the pubiic goes there mechanical
~ because II Is told IL must so there
How then would it foct: TO sec q rraN
good play II I. H. tod e 10 60,
"'i"u" ''''N t'N' 'ht Stih' cro"u
filling Carnegie Hall and Acoliar fIa,
each t!ine ,lit good music ia playc,
will a.! IL" a aires Hiea really 600
plays are given.
In this couAtry, whore money i, $
cheap, 10 serious effort was ever mad
10 create n good theatre tor good play.
II the Century Theatre could hav
been some years ~ Il social success,
~. better. n success Of society. "a II
brother" tho Metropolitan Opor
House. has proved 70 no. rs dnanc!p
protectors would not have abandone
1t. IL might have survived its arch
tcctural defects and It would sheltc
to-day Shakespeare ard those author
inspired by him.