New Britain herald., 1916-01-11
MISS JULIE HERNE
 IN SENSATIONAL HIT
Clever Actress Makes Wonderful Portrayal Of Mary Turner in
 "Within the Law"

With the exception of few slips of the tongue and runaway curtain on the last act, the Cross Players at the Lyceum last night presented a perfect performance of a stirring drama, within the Law No road com pany ever came through New Britain with a more capable cast than that which handled Bayard Veiller's 'crook'' play in our own Lyceum. It is doubtful if many women on the stage can surpass Miss Julie Herne as Mary Turner. Alfred Cross is good as Joe Carson, clever fOrger, and Arthur Vinton handled his role of police inspector in tip-top shape. It
 is rather difficult to put a finger on any one member of the entire com pany and say who was best, because each and every part was treated in remarkable fashion, The secret of the whole success this week is that every player is properly cast. J. Irving White as the rich father and Ralph Collier as his son were ad- mirable. They are real. They are just suited to play these parts. And little Elsie Southern as a dyed in-the- wool tough kid is immense. She caused many a good hearty laugh.
 Although this is the first time ''Within the Law has been presented in New Britain, most of the playgOers here know the story of the play. It has to do with a young girl, Mary Turner, who works in a large New York department store. A theft takes place and Mary is accused. To make an example of her the owner of the store, Edward Glider, succeeds in hay of three years She protests her in
 nocence but to no avail. She pleads with Glider Finally she swears re- venge and at the end of her sentence she joins clever band of crooks who, under her direction, carry on all their work within the letter of the law. She then marries Edward Glider, son of
 her former employer. By the ruse of 8, stool pigeon, her companion, Joe Carson, is trapped into rObbing the house of old man Glider. Robbery being against her ethics Mary starts out to save Joe from the crime. She goes to Gilder's mansion and succeeds in getting the gang away. but not be- fore Joe Carson has shot and killed the stool pigeon with a revolver equipped with a Maxim silencer. Young Glider, whom Mary has mar rleO, catches her III the room, ana IS there when the fatal shot is fired. 1 He takes the gun away from Joe Gar son and is caught with it by the detec- | tlves stationed in the house. He is then charged with murder, and Mary l Turner taken along with him. There ! is a sensational finish, showing how 1 the famous third degree" is ad- l ministered, and how 'crOOkS' are l trapped into confessing. Joe Carson 1 gives up and Mary Turner and her ! husband are allowed to go free.
 In such an imperfect sketch it | would be difficult to give all the i charming little bits that make Within l the Law worth seeing. The stage l settings last night were great. The l drawing room in Gilder's home was 1 the best bit of coziness seen on a l stage here in long time.
 Miss Julie Herne has played the | part, of Mary Turner before and she 1 knows it's every exacting demand. She goes from the pale-faced shop girl to the well clothed lady adven- turess with a finish that is wonderful 1 Alfred Cross has no difficulty in get t!Eg Joe Carson over the footliehts. | And Philip Sheffield makes very good Englishman. He is good in his l role of stool pigeon. Ruth Bryon. too.