Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-10-15
THIRD DEGREE IS
BIGGEST HIT YET
Packed Houses See Grand The
ater Players in an APP
pealing Drama.

Ella Kramer, Cliff Hastings and
Whit Brandon put over the biggest IN
dividual hits Of their theatrical career
in Tulsa, and the entire personnel OF
tho Grand Theater Incompatible
Stock company registered genuine
success yesterday when The Inird
Degree" was presented to two packed
houses ut the Grand. Tho play holds
the boards for three more days. giving
way Thursday to "Rosalind at Red
gate"
Long before the curtain rose on the
first act every seat In the house had
been sold at the matinee and again
last night. As the crowds surged thru
the lobby at the close OF the last act
one could not escape the countless
words of praise for the players and
the Grand. The happy ending OF the
drama had wreathed their faces In
smiles, and by word Of mouth they ex-
pressed their feelings.
Warning To Patrons.
Do not be surprised II you visit the
Grand tonight, tomorrow afternoon,
tomorrow night or Wednesday night,
and find a standing room only" sign
displayed. Scores of patrons reserved
their seats for yesterdays perform
ance far in advance and not one of
theW idhoo " S"ow w anu S'o'"i
them.
Charles Klein, who wrote Tho
Third Degree" called II a psyche
logical drama" The term IL an apt
one. and would apply equally we'll to
his other famous products. The Lion
and the Mouse" "The Music Master"
etc.
Perhaps you have heard the story of
the play-how a young college chap
marries a waitress. who really loves
him and has high ideals; how he Ia
estranged from his parents; how q
shooting occurs. and he is forced by
third degree methods to make a false
confession: how his loyal wife finally
wins the support Of her husbands q
parents, as well as the services Of their
lawyer; how she secures his acquittal.
and so on.
You're all right. old GIRL" says
Cliff Hastings az he hugs Ella Kramer
In the last act. .t
Howard" she pleads. don't call
me old GIRL cause it's the truth"
Applaud at Finish.
Down comes the curtain and the
play IL over. Vociferous applause
after the last curtain---an unusual oc-
curence-testified yesterday to the
strong hold the play and players had
taken on the audience.
The acting of Cliff Hastings as
Howard Jeffries. jr., in the first act
is worthy otnote. His role is a diff
cult one. particularly toward the close
when Harry Vickery. as Police Cap
tain Clinton, 10 forcing from him q
confession. 1t Ia a striking expose Of
the far-famed police third degree
practice, and Vickery handles the part
OF the office in such realistic manner
that he is.at once despised and loathed
by every person ''out front"
Miss Kramer.~As Howard's wife,
does some acting that one rarely ever
sees equalled even In the big road
shows. She has mastered her lines
and studied the play until 1t seems as
tho she actually lives the part.
Whit Brandon as Richard Brewster,
the great lawyer. Is literally made to
order for the role, II seems. Time and
again he commands laughter and ap-
plause.
Miss Adelaide Melnotte, as Mrs.
Howard Jeffries, sr., wins the sympa-
thies of the audience in pasterful
style as the /plot unfolds. IN honor
Of her work in this play the manage
ment will give away photographs OF
Miss Melnotte tonight to the first
three hundred ladies buying tickets.
The work of Scenic Artist James
Johnson should not be passed without
comment. The scenery In the first act
Is as fine an example Of the scene
painters art as was ever seen in Tulsa.
The effects and properties employed
in the play are adequate and preten-
tious.
THE Third Degree" 10 worth 81 of
anybSdy's money, and how the Grand
can put 1t on at popular prices is a
mystery