Evening star., 1917-03-04

1ndCheTy bSci A'A'ANN
this week with pleasant
remlniscence or with dutiful
plans for future exploration
The fascinations exerted by the stand
AID novelists in the modern theater-
even more in the moving picture play
houses than in those that rely on tho
present actor and the spoken WORD
continue TO impress themselves with
surprise. although by this time the
phenomenon ought to be familiar. IL
was John Drew. with the ADVICE anu
consent of John Williams. who caused
this flutter in long-neglected library
corners Williams whose long assocla-
tion with the late Charles Frohman
NAV account in some measure for his
unusual respect for literary phases OF
the drama, recently produced Gals
worthy's Justice in New YORK 10 eN-
traordinary business. 1t was reieht
less study of prison conditions anu
their psychological influence. New YORK
rnis,ook IL for one Of the usual crime
uIays" and as result crowded the
theater. The New YORK success oi
...,ustice" may have lent encourage
ment to the Thackeray project Inc
element of prestige extended to the
adaptatiou as well to the original
authorship and the acting. Lansuon
MITCHELL who did wonders with Nahlt9
E'air" transferred "Pendennis' to the
stare His work proves TO be an ar
ransement rather than a dramauza-
ton The interest is focused upon the
chracters the narrative through wniCh
they move being subordinate 10 their
traits and temperaments.
"Fendennis" is purely a critical crea-
tion. II is an analysis of the world
through which the novelist moved.
Again and again Thackeray TOTO 'ns
story of Vanity Fair, the mart oI
insincerity in which he loved to linger
as an observer, sketching portraits
which proved faithful in likeness even
though tinged with the supLeties e,sI
satire "Pendennis" is de1Shtlul va
ration of the favorite theme. A mooest
and self-distrustful nature is lhoica'so sa
by the announcement likely TO De
found on the title page OF the VoIuine
With Illustrations by the AutnoI. ~
discerning taste as revealed in his
writing did not prevent InackeIas
from parading through his pages ms
crudities as craftsman only sens.
tive self -effacement could have teHpteo
Thackeray the polished author puDiiciy
to subordinate himself to ThackeIay
the unpublished picture maker IN nus
own personality he subconsclously 9e
fers to superhciality and the lashioh
of his time. He prefers, evidently, 10
be known as a poor but prosperous
Illustrator than to be recognized as an
excellent but ill-recompensed author.
What an author thinks OF h1mseH
may in so eminent an instance oe IN
teresting. The author of Pendennis
declares himself. in preface to the
book, self-conscious. and. measuring
himself with cotemporaneouS pest
sellers" self-approving. He , remarks, KS
perpetual speaker must of necessity lay
bare his own weaknesses. vantties,
peculiarities. And as we Judge OF
mans character after long 1reSuentihg ny.
his society, not by one speech. or oy
one mood or opinion. or by one DAY
talk, but by the tenor of his general
bearing and conversation. SO OF
perforce unreservedly you say. Is ne
honest?"
There is a touch of the supercilious
as he announces his desire to develop
than on those of excitement OF the
exciting plan for "Pendennis. which ne
had discussed with his publishers, ne
says 1t was laid aside; because founo
of my subject; and, never having been
intimate with any convict in my lie,
and the manners OF rufnans an4 Jail-
birds being quite unfamiliar 10 me, the
idea of entering into competition with
n. Eugene Sue was abandoned. Even
at that time it appears that the proD-
lem of giving the public what it wants
was producing its measure OF cynical
resentment in the more refined realms
of thought.
= = 4
While English literature was having
Its week the Viennese school OF operet-
ia was providing tuneful accompani-
ment not many blocks distant The at
tendance was enthusiastic and at no
performance so scant as to threaten the
Chesterfieldian guardian of the Beiasco
portals with the fear that the title was
coming true. English literature again
asserts itself when Sir Herbert Tree
brings his production of Henry VII.
From Thackeray back to Shakespeare
is a long step. Yet it is journey
which will be made with Widespread
pleasure Preparations for inaugura-
ton week are elaborate.
A picture of timely patriotic interest
will be shown at the Belasco by Ben1a-
min Chaplin, a player who has MADE
a long special study Of the appearance
and personality of Abraham Lincoln.
This patriotic display will .d occur durlhs ing
the days, matinee days excepted. Inc
remainder of the time will. by way OF
dashinE contrast, present Anna Held IN
Dor ai q n