New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-12
By HAYWOOD BROuN.

By HAYWOOD BROUN.
"The Pride Of Race" is an interest
ing play, shot here and there with mo-
ments of sufficient dramatic intensity
to make theatregoer sit up in mis-
seat. To be sure, he will slump again.
and this theatregoer may be forgiven
if he laughs at particularly spurious
happy ending. Yet he should depart
contented. They were good thrills
when he had them.
Probably the new play at the Maxine
Elliott Theatre deserves TO be classed
as unpleasant. but Whatever horrors
it presents are CLOSED over with a
theatricality which makes them grip
ping, but hardly poignant. Theatrical
tv is not used as a term Of reproach.
On the contrary, at the present mo-
ment we are OF the opinion that an
entertainment devised TO be presented
on a stage should have a quality OBJ
vlously distinct from life.
THE Pride Of Race" deals with
playwright's problem rather than one
of human kind. 1t relates how a
million -to-one chance came into beng.
I'm life million-to- one chances happen
only now and again. Many persons
have never held royal flush. But IN
THE Pride of Race" in spite Of the re-
peated insistence by many characters
that the thing upon which the play
hinges was the short end OF enormous
odds. there was never the slightest
doubt that it would come to pass.
On the eve of his marriage Deegan
Folk learns from his father that he is
one-sixteenth negro. He is informed
that if he marries there is a possibility
that he may become the father Of a
black child Deegan is too much IN
love 10 break the engagement and too
timid to confess. He marries, and
when his wife tells him that she is 90
ing TO have a baby Deegan Folk con-
hdes his secret TO the family doctor
and implores the physician 10 prevent
the birth OF the child. The doctor an
swers Deegan that he will give him no
help unless he tells his wife. Other
wise he must take his chance. 1T IS a
million to one that the child Will be
all right" says the physician, and so
Deegan takes his chance.
There is an excellent scene IN the
! third act, which shows Folk awaiting
/ the birth of the baby, and later thrill
when the doctor tells him that the
child is negro. But best OF all IS the
following scene. II is superbly played
by Kathene Macdonell, who did well
earlier this season in the short run OF
Just Outside the Door" The scene -
in the bedroom of Mrs Folk. Twenty
four hours have elapsed, and the WON
an has not been allowed TO see her
child She has grown anxious, and
fears that the boy is deformed. Inc
doctor attempts TO soothe her with a
vague promise that she shall see the
child in little while If only she Will
remain calm. He points 10 door ana
tells her that the child Is IN the next
room. OF a sudden the woman Jumps
out of bed and rushes for the door
Before the doctor can stop her she
has gone into the next room, where
the baby lies.
!. is an excellent theatrical moment.
The audience knows more than the
mother and cannot fail 20 be held tense
during the brief moment when pre-
cedes the cry announcing that MIS-.
Folk has learned the reason why she
was not permitted 10 see her Daoy.
The scene of recrlminaton DetWee"
husband and wife which follows Is
distinct let down, and from theh on the
plav deteriorates rapidly
oenious. 1t is divided into two scenes,
"a ono Of them is as ineXpllcable a
bit ~ dramaturgy as we have ever seen.
For the first time in any theatre we
zorro completely fooled Landman be
,,ar his NAV with THE midnight sup
nor Vale Glass of IS. New raven,
Conn Eighty-iive seemingly was not
much of a class, since only SIX men
Gathered for the reunion, but IN the
first scene of the epilogue, when IS
again A midnight supper at the same
restaurant. only three Yale men are on
hand. Quickly we find that twenty
vea~s have passed and that Deegah
Folk has disappeared. One OF the men,
a confirmed sentimentalist, suggests
thar il they turn down the lights ana
smoke in darkness, wishing with every
nuT for the return of Deegan FOLK, ne
NAV appear Out 20 the lights ana
blink blink 90 the cigars. one, Two
booms the clock, but before the count
Is finished there is a knock at the dooi.
supper is ready" says the waiter ana
down comes the curtain.
But for the fact that II tells OF the
disappearance Of Folk and the lapse
OF twenty years there IS no P0ssioie
object for the scene. ne ioHo"lns
hrloT BIT SHOWS O4h D4 no f'''-'-
in Cuba. His tobacco is excellent and
his health is good BY and bye the son
enters and another surprise IS IN store
for the audience. He Is not nearly so
black as he had been painted. In fact
thousands of beach dwelling Cauca-
SLAMS could spot him several shades
during the course of any hot summer.
II WAS not made altogether clear, but
tho audience was left TO inter that
Deegan and the sunburned boy had
cone on in life without the presence
and aid of Mrs. Folk.
10 was quite poor ending lot
with some eXceedinly good moments
no more than that and number OF
well sustained scenes. Robert billiard
was unhappy a. Light some lover IN
ths first act, but he took his big scenes
with A good deal Of power.
Kathlene Macdonell did the best work
in the play, and Frank Kemble Cooper
was exceedinly effective as Doctor
Blake. Smaller parts were capably
handled by Marie Taylor and Minna
Gale Haynes
AN-WATERBUItl
fBy Telegraph 20 The Tnbunel
Stamford, Conn, Jan. ll.-Niss Jo-
sephine Waterbury, daughter OF Mr.
and Mrs Charles +. Waterbury OF this
city, was married tonight at her par