New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-28
By HAYWOOD BROUN.

A merry and amiable play was pro-
duced at the Fulton Theatre last night.
Arms and the Girl is as pleasant an
entertainment as New York has seen
this season. Il demands now and again
little credulity on the part Of the
spectator. but the consistently incred-
ulous person has no right in theatre.
Moreover, the play mas its moments OF
mush; but let him who IS annoyed by
stage lovemaking 90 spend the evening
with his incredulous friend. They Will
not have as good a time as those who
saw Arms and the Girl" last night, and
laughed and thrilled because the play
wrights asked for their emotions so IN
gratiatingly.
One would hardly pick Belgium IN
der the first rush OF the Germans as
the scene of a light comedy, but the
authors have succeeded M hndlng
phases OF war which are distinctly
amusing As a matter Of fact, the play
merely fringes on the conflict.
Grant Stewart and Robert Baker
have wisely introduced no discussl ons
about the responsibility for the inva-
sion Of Belgium, and there are no
atrocities. The Germans OF the play
are not A. all a bad lot Their senti-
mentality. and even their efficiency,
serve 70 heighten the merriment Of the
story Nobody is shot. A. least no
body but the hero, who 10, OF course, oy
far the best person 90 shoot, since you
can't hurt him much. Nor do the fort
unes Of the play hang upon the success
Of either side in the great war. George
Sylvester Viercck could sit in the same
box with Theodore Roosevelt at TINS
play.
The plot is developed ingeniously
Ruth Sherwood. young American girl,
under stress OF circums tances' says
that a fellow, whom she has just me-
is her fance. But for her Identified
ton he would have been shot as spy
Hero German efficiency steps IN. In
order 10 test the truth Of the girIS
story the general orders a Belgian
burgonnaster 10 marry the couple. Inc
bridegroom, although an acquaintance
Of only few minutes, IS an engaging
chan. but unfortunately the girl has
6snce as wei! as a husband. Inc
fance IL poor sport and upon arriF-
mo A. the inn grudgingly consents 20
plav the part Of chauffeur IN order
10 continue the necessary deception.
Under sore trial the Tilted man acts
hadIv and II is ne. IN fact, who calls
Of the engagement IN the last act ana
leaves the girl 20 her husband. BY mat
time YOU NAV be sure she has fallen
IN love with the man she married.
The Girl shares half the title OF the
NAV. and this by no means emphasizes
her importance. Fay Banter IS an IN
rsnup. But listen, she does not sloucn,
she does not wriggle, she does not tax
through her nose. This actress IS en-
lowed with youth, an extremely charm
ing plav Of expression, and a sure deft
touch which marks her as one or the
hest Young actresses New FORK has
soon In ever and ever 20 long. she
never lost her audience for a moment,
and Il is due 90 her skill alone that the
final scene Of the play IS saved from
dragging
Miss Banter has the incest possible
sppreciation of comedy values. she
car shade a line or a bit or business
and II IS 10 trouble a. all for her 10
g-ip from one mood 10 another with
ont anv perceptible break. Moreover
there Is nothing n her method which
suggests an imitation Of the work OF
snv other actress. We believe that
Miss Banter played her first important
role in New York last night, and yet
she seemed perfectly sure OF herself
She has reason 10 be-.
CYRIL Scott does well as the hero. lie
IS essentially pleasant and cheery
LIGHT comedian. The cast is excellent
throughout ! Malcolm Dunn does not
suggest anything Teutonic, but tnis
Young actor certainly nts INTO the
niche which the mind has ready for the
tvpical German officer. Henry Nogel
gives a rich. full and human perform
9nce as the General Francis Byrnea
does well as the bilked hance. Ethel
lntropodi is pleasing m a minor role.
There are suatches Of French and
German and Russian throughout the
plav. But at least the hrst two are
simple enough 70 be understood by
those who have gone no further IN
their studies than "C'ette ann est uh
cheval" and "Das thinner ist hell.
One Of the authors Of the play made
a sneech. in which he said that he and
his mariner had been working on the
NAV revising this and that until few
moments before the curtain rose. they
can rest from their polishing now.
The product shines and sparkles.