The Washington herald., 1916-04-11
Daddy Long-Lees'' is Plaintipe Romance
Henry Miller, in Title Role,
Strikes Wistful Note in His
Love-making, While Ruth
Chatterton Imparts an Ex-
quisite Modesty and Grace
to Her Visualn alton OF
Judy Abbott.
BY JULIA CHANDLER.

That romance IL still the welI-spring OF
hfe ana can the world loves a lover was
duiV attsstad by an enthusiastic audi
saek At the New National Theater last
evening when Jean wsoster's dehsntful
tals OF Daddy Long-Less" and his young
ward was. for the second time presehto
to washington piaygosrs.
II has been now some three or TOUT
vsars since Miss websters refreshing tale
appeared between the covers OF a popular
r1sgazine and later in book form. and
Iittin more than two since we had here
the premiere Of her Naturalization or her
own book. Il was a snowy Monday att
ernoon in February, 1874 when Henry
Miller offered Us the initial performance
OF the piece The occasion was meno-
rablA one, furnishing a comedy OF such
simple and direct appeal that the trenen-
dous success IL has since achieved was
lnstantiy predicted. despite the fact
that Mr.. MIller's connection with II was
that of producer only when everybody
could not help wishing that he was essay
ing the title role, feeling that the play
needed but his substitution for FREDERICK
Trussdsn in the cast to make II per-
feet production.
And everybody was right.
Daddy L,ong-Legs" is an exquisite
gem of a play az It IL now presented
with Mr.. Miller playing the part OF Jer.
Wis Pendlston and Miss Chatterton still
visualiEins Judy Abbott.
The most Unsuitable lover of romance
could hnd nothing to be desired in Miss
wsbsters story OF Judy. the young
orphan girl Of the John Grier Home, who
50 irnprssses her splendid spirit upon
JeTvis Pendlston, one Of its trustees,
that he decides to equip her for life with
the proper sort Of education.
Psndletons one stipulation is that
a.. 1t "a
bensfactor. nor expect any personal
communication from him, although she
is to keep him informed Of her progress
through letters addressed 70 him under
the pseudonym Of John Smith.
Now Judy has so much OF originality
that she finds It impossible to adhere to
50 banal q plan. Having conjured up in
her own mind a picture of her bsnefac-
tor as a nice, benevolent old gentleman,
possessing q bald head fringed with
white hair and lean, lank physique,
she proceeds to dub him Daddy Long
Legs" and thus addresses him when she
pours out all the condolences of her
tender young heart in letters which are
never answered save with curt tnstruc-
tons through Pendleton's secretary.
Nevertheless, the wealthy and aristo-
cratic bachelor becomes so interested in
the quaintness and charm Of Judy. as ex-
pressed In her letters, that he effects sew
sral years OF hes society without arous-
ing her suspicion that Jervis Pendleton
is her Daddy Long-Legs." until he comes
psrilously near losing this fine little gem
that he has taken SO much pains TO pol
ish.
But before the final curtain the mys-
terry that has so puzzled Judy Is all clear
ed away, and her future gives promise OF
a beauty and serenity as perfect as a June
sky. -
love. where pathos and joy chase each
other as swiftly as the showers and sun
shine of April. Daddy Iong-Legs," as
q play, Is threaded with all the scintil-
lating wit and cIeverness which dominat-
ed the letters of Judy Abbott in their
magazine and book form, while the other
characters Miss Webster has transferred
to the boards are all flesh and blood folk
who are impersonsted by a. group of
player-foIk whose admirable sincerity al
lows no tagging of the auditors' interest
in any moment Of their performance.
The most exacting critic could pick no
flaw in the cast which Is headed, of
course. BY Mr.. Miller and Miss Chatter
ton for you know as well as that there
is no more earnest and expert love-maker
on the stage than Mr.. Miller. while the
consensus of opinion concerning Miss
ChatteTton's performances in both THE
Rainbow" and in her present vehicle
admits the complete winsomeness Of her
personality; the rich cadences Of her de-
lightfuI voice as well as the sincerity
and grace of her acting
As Daddy Long-Legs' Mr.. Miller
spreads the heart of him all over the
place. One can just about see it pulsate
His love for Judy Is a fine. big, splendid
thing-in Mr.. Millsr's hands also a visit
full thing. 1t envelops the girl like a
benediction, representing romance as we
would like il to be if not az We always
find it. Glorious, protective, unselfish
Mr.. Miller makes the love Of Jervis
Pendleton for his young ward. and the
heart Of his audience throbs with a single
heat of satisfaction in its ultimate
triumph.
Miss Chatterton has grown more
lovely and more winsome in the two
years since We have seen her. Her
art might aptly be compared to the
life of Judy Abbott, so frank and
wholesome a thing it is; so exquisite
~ has II unfolded in this very hu-
man and sympathetic role-for all the
world like a little bud that becomes
full blown in the warmth of the sum-
mer sun Once in awhile she strikes
a plaintive note that is almost as
tear-wringing Mr.. Miller's con-
yeyance of the singular dasolatto-