Evening journal., 1916-01-21
William HODGE Wins
HONORS IN NEW PLAY
Popular Actor Repeats Pre-
viouS Successes in Social
Climbing Comedy
Fixing Sister,
BLASE BUSINESS MAN
BALKSSCHEMING LORD

There is no doubt of the success
William Hodge has achieved during
the past ten years I'm his plays. THE
Man From Home and "The Road to
Happiness" and if the enthusiastic re-
ception accorded Mr.. Hodge in the
new play, Fixing Sister" at The
Playhouse last night, presages any
thing at all. il certainly means sue
cess for himself and his latest offer
ing. "Mr. Hodges new play" is
comedy drama OF New York life, writ
ten under the pen name Of Lawrence
Whitman. II is a story Of the schem-
ing of a bogus English nobleman and
countess to obtain the fortunes Of two
New York women who are Obsessed
with social climbing aspirations. The
play was staged luxurious by Lee Schu-
bert. the setting for the four acts be-
ing the Louis Fifteenth room of Mrs.
EllswOrth's home. With its elabOr-
ate conception and wealth OF faithful
detail. the scene won piaudits Of the
audience when the curtain ascended.
Mr. Hodge had the role or John Otis.
brisk young business man Of Kan
sas City, who fitted to New York to
rescue his sister. Mrs. Marion Ellis
worth, and his sweetheart. Miss Abbey
Sexton, from the wiles Of the bogus
Lord Haggett" and Lady WaftOn,"
whom the New York women had met
in England. and who were guests OF
Mrs. Ellsworth Lord Haggett was
seeking to borrow S1z5,OOO from his
hostess, with whom he pretended to
be in love. and at the same time be-
sought Miss Sexton, wealthy in her
own right to elope with him. John
Otis, hard-headed business man. with
little sentiment except toward Miss
Sexton, trustee Of his sisters estate,
stepped in. exposed the swindlers and
in the end won Miss 6extOn. The COM
edy revOlved around the efforts of
Otis. assisted by Judge Willard, to
arouse his sister to her peril and to
unmask the fOrtune-hunting Lord
Haggerty and his mythical 5000
acres on which he "raised delicious
strawberries" In the third act
fashionable bridge whist party given
by Mrs Ellsworth is staged. twenty
five young men and women, the latter
richly gOwned, appeared in this
scene for about five minutes and had
no other part in the action OF the
play
The party. featured by bridge and
roulette games for high stakes. was
shooting policemen, the raid having
been framed" by Otis and the Judge to
impress Mrs. Ellsworth of the enormity
of her gambling olTenses.
The performance last night was all
| that could be desired in every way. and
Mr.. Hodge made a speech in response
/ to the many curtain calls Mr. Hodge
was at his best, although many of the
audience strained at times to hear his
! low spoken words. 1t would be brain.
] racking TO try to conceive of any other
actor who could get SO much out of the
| part as did Mr.. Hodge. He was cast foT
/ the role of John Otis. and the part of
Otis seemed to have been written for
Hodge. His blase aud philosophical
manner, his dry witticisms. kept the au-
dience in continuous mirth He was
proud Of Kansas City. where "they dress
for dinner and the other two meals as
WE'LL" Mr.. Hodge has in his new play
part that should become as popular
as his two preceding successes.
The surrounding company Is capable.
/ too. Miss Teresa Maxwell Conovcr. as
Mrs. Ellsworth. gave a splendid reading
| Of the part OF the woman whose iudg-
ment was becloudcd by her social as
| pirations. Miss Miriam Collins as Miss
I Sexton won her way into the hearts of
| the audience. and Ida Vernon as LADY
| Walton" demonstrated her high abil-
ity as an actress in part that required
eXacting interpretation Hamilton
Dcane as Lord lsggctt was excellent
as the smooth and polished schemer. to
whom lovemaking was an art. Charles
Caulicld was good as Judge Willard
whose influence was greater than his
| resourcefulnpss