Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-02
'MARTE-ODLE,' OFFENSE
CATHOLICS, WILL BE
SEEN BY SAFETY HEAD
Director Wilson, After Strong
Protest Against Theme, Will
Pass on Play at Adelphi
Theatre Tonight
SUPPRESSION is ASKED

| Although Charles Lee, head of the
vice squad of the Tenderloin, and Captain
Nicholas j. Kenny. of the police depart
mcnt both reported they saw nothing
Objectionable about Marie Odile." the
BelaaCo play, based on nm incident in n
! French convent during tho Franco-Prus-
sian war. protests by Catholic societies
of Philadelphia were so emphatic today
that Director of Public Safety Wilson
announced he would 20 tonight to the
Adclphi Theatre where "Mario-Odilc" is
playing, to see 1t for himself.
The Catholic societies want the play
suppressed on tho ground that il is "rc-
pulsve and offensive TO Catholics" and
Objectionable anyway because of "vul-
Gar lines" and immortality implied.
Michael Francis Doyle called on Mayor
Smith today with the written protests
Of the Phiopatrian Institute, the Cath
olic Theatre Movement, the knights of
Columbus and many other societies, and
asked him to take the play off The
Mayor referred the protests TO Director
Wilson, who promised later he would see
the play tonight and decide what would
be done.
It developed then that the vice squad
head and Captain Kenny had been sent
to see the play Monday night by Super
ntendent Robinson, who said he had had
complaints in advance" According to
INbDlIlSpll' Lee anu INtlIlS
"saw no reason to close up the play"
A decision may he expected tomorrow,
after Director Wilson has had time to
digest what he will see tonight
STORY OF THE PLAY.
The Marie-OdiIe of the play is a young
novitiate in an Alsatian convent during
the Franco-Prussian war, who Is left be-
hind by the rest of the sisters at the
approach of a body of raiding Uhlans.
The Uhans make the convent their head
quarters and leave behind them, a day
later, a young corporal, who is attracted
by the innocence of Marie Odile. After
short time the uhlans move on but
1t is a year later before the convent is
again occupied by the nuns. They find
Marie-Odile caring for hcr child and turn
her out, despite her protestations of inno-
cenCe.
The main complaint of the representa-
tives of the societies Is that the play,
besides being immoral and offensive to
good taste, casts slur upon the Catholic
Mr.. Doyle says i'm his letter.
The remarks of the sergeants i'm charge
of the soldiers that he has been i'm CON
vents before. and his sneering insnua-
tons against the virtue of their inma tes
as well as his announcement TO the young
soldier to take advantage of a novice's
request, to atay, implying that her invita-
tion Is for an immoral purpose, are par
ticularly Objectionable"
The COmpla inants declare "the play is
absolutely unfit TO be seen by any young
person because it would tend to drive from
his or her heart the respect which the
beautiful lives of the Sisters who give up
everything for the cause of religion would
inspire" The play. furthermore, would
lead non-Catholics to the false idea OF the
discipline and character of convent life |
Mr.. Doyle's letter asserts
BARRED IN BOSTON.
It is pointed out that the play was
aken off after an appearance in Boston. |
In New York there were many protests, |
Dut no action was taken. David Belasco |
asserting the idea of causing otfense or |
presenting anything with an Objectionable |
significance was farthest from his mind |
N producing the play.
Michael Francis Doyle, Father j. j. |
of the Church OF ST. John the |
Evangelist 18th street above Chestnut, |
and james +. Heron, president of the |
Catholic PhllOpatrian Literary Institute, |
he leading Catholic club in Philadelphia, |
les.
The societies which are represented |
n these protests have 10000 members /
n Philadelphia and nearby, according /
% John II. O'Gorman. past grand pres- /
lent of De Soto Council, knights of I
Columbus. With Mr. Doyle, Father
Wheeler and Mr.. Heron, of the Philo-
oatrian Institute. there are James J, 1
chairman of the Philadelphia !
IOhn ]. Ferrick, president of the An |
lual Retreatants at Overlook Semi |
nary; John j. Rahilly State deputy Of |
The Knights of Columbus.