Evening star., 1916-12-24

Il most modern mechanism that
the theater has to offer in pop
-ular attention last week. For all its
charm and delicate romanticism THE
Professors Love story" carries with it
& breath OF the archaic. Perhaps this
is no detriment to its interest. for 1t is
in contradiction, gently expressed. OF
current conventionalities that Mr.. Bar
rie- excels. The inquiry is often made
as to why plays go out of fashion y
drama that scored smashing success,
when revived decade or so later, with
"a cast whose abilities may outrank
those of the original organization, Will
somehow announce itself as of a pre-
yious period The tendency in drama
changes almost as the styles In hats
and collars and the effort 10 ADJUST an
old story, however vigorous ana vital,
needs cunning skill indeed to prevent
the impression of the old-fashioned-
An old play may perhaps be better re-
eived with strict Difference to the cos
tuning, environment and types of the
day in which it was written.
= The Professors Love Story" in
Which Mr.. ArIiss is now appearing to
great advantage, has whisper OF lfe
past in its gentle narrative. The un-
worldly gentleman who has allowed
sJidy TO separate him from the ordi-
nary interests of life and whose ro-
nance saves itself for the time when
gray begins to tiuge the temples has
heen exemplifed elsewhere and often
Sol Smith Russell realized the type at
nance" 1t is not in the character that
the suggestion of other days arises,
for that is a constant example of hu-
man nature. The man truthfuny por-
trayed is extant in all ages. In scan
ming the little play for the source of
the perfume of a fragrant past. the
pursuit which occupies the professor
aEests attention. He is an electrician.
But he is an electrician of other days
when books and theories were more
considered than the practical achieve
ments of the workshop. Your electrt-
cian of today is no bespectacled sa-
want. who writes with q quill pen and
permits himself the mental abstrac-
tions OF 4 Sir Isaac Newton as he ex-
ploEes the realms of the unknown. AS
this public knows him the electrician
is no bookworm. He is busy. practi-
cal parsonage who sends his bills in
regularly at the end of each month.
Tire play is charming today as it was
when Z. 5 Willard gave it a place in
his repertoire. Its charm is intrinsic
in spite Of the contradiction as to pc
analyzed. undoubtedly carries subcon-
scious influence.
While Mr.. Arliss was so conlpetently
maintaining literary tradition, Annette
ksllermann was engaged in an effort to
carry the film drama a step further in
the ma agnifcence which it has assumed.
"A Daughter of the Gods conveys an
impression OF stupendous resources
brought together TO impress the eye
GaTsl.
Adventures of Annette" as the film
nj BIlt be called. are picturesque, start
ling and SO thriliingly out of range OF
human proba ability that the Witch of
RsSness and the Fairy Of Kindness may
be regarded as having exerted super
Natural prerogatiyes in collaboration
y HIGH whisks the spectator with un-
cereuonious rapidity through earth. air
and'water.
= SO many excellent writer's have turn
ed their talents TO moving picture work
that il is no disrespect TO wish that IN
author of delicate fancy and fine sense
Of proportion might turn his attention
20 some such Respondent screen pro-
duction that would enable him to show
that witches and fairies themselves
have none the better of the man who
wrote "Peter Pan" Nothing is left un-
done that might enhance the entertain
,nent in which Miss Kellermann figures
so gracefully in her best known &C
conplishments. The orchestra is an
exceptionally large one and the de-
scriptive music shows versatility on
the. part Of r H. Bowers. wha has
hitherto been known only for his nelo-
dious embellishments of sprightly
Comedies The orchestration is ingen-
tous and almost every instrument is
a one time or another given oppor-
funity 10 figure prominently in an 'ef-
tect.'
While opera does not frequently
honor Washington with a protracted
stay. the film Spectacle is more con-
siderate. THE Daughter of the Gods
- i'll not limit it's sojourn to one. pos
q bly, not even to two weeks. Arrange
Dlents are being made with 3. view 70
extending the stay Of Experience"
which follows il, II it repeats in Wash
3ngton the remarkable success II has
picture. Experience has bafied the
stucents of the theater. No such in
terest has been shown in any drama
of precept and moral purpose since
Ten Nights in a Bar Room" swept the
country with direct and colioquial. but
Irresistible appeal. Ten Nights in d
Par Room" has passed into tradition
along With Jo Millers joke book and
other institutions with which 1t was
customary 20 affect familiarity long
after actual acquaintance with them
ra5 impossible. But their equivalents
arise In popular attention, and "Ex-
peT.cIc2 appears 20 he holding the
boards today as the theaters great and
unr.yaled moral lesson.
The irrespossi5iuty Of gayety and
song. In the meantime, VIII not be neg
Lscted WIKI Betty" a London creation
~hich New York has recently allowed
n go on the road, hilariously in evil
Get.ce. ketfh's Theater. which has been
SjUUd;UE Up bills of exceptional merit
H. well audiences Of particular dis
CuctioH. VIII make its usual especial
hid for holiday attention Polls re-
Serts TO the standard drama with
gel known play and Il well known
LA~-r. J.ilmy RarTowS ia The Old
norneste teai'' should noe a combination
for which approval q cannot fail Though
1S.E}aan. the Great. longer visits
c-rsei. since Jansen. ,he Great" will
e>trsct rrarvels from the impalpable
ala and convey In effect. II not in
- nase, H-rmiann's favorite invitation.
T.ooE closely, please-the more you
Toi the more you don't see some
u .E@" 1t should not be forgotten in
The resume Of holiday prospects that
~ ttaytty Theater has broadeucd its
Ls1iiCy with view to putting turl-Sque
the legitimate footing that II oc-
cIir-s when designated rs IN usic:i
CtT"Gv,' or revue" and is appealing
q general patronage
YitA a real childrens pantonine in
-.l.- the Leader and the Savoy an
noUrce special aiiurements for the sea-
son IF good cheer. The other finn the
Hlers have made every eudeaVOr TO sur
pass their usual varied offerings. and
&c Seeker for dive Fsipn will have lit