The sun., 1918-11-26

War leaves many sad legacies. but
one spot at least in the aftermath OF
the war just ended will be Joy as long
as it lasts. That is the picture
OF soldier life in a musical comedy
frame" which was presented for the
first time last night by the boys Of
Camp Merritt to an audience which
filled the big theatre at Fffty-first
street and Lexington avenue and
cheered the Marian actors to the echo.
The programme says that GOOD
Luck. Sam" is spontaneous attempt
on the part OF the small permanent
garrison at Camp Merritt to afford IT.
self some break in the monotony of
the steady grind--a play written by
amateurs and performed by amateurs
real soldiers who are playing at act
ing" So they give this play to the
world as peace Jubilee. and the
wonder Is that in a comparatively
small garrison so much genuine talent
could be found. and In a life 80 hard
The entertainments that have al
ready come out OF the camps to New
York. such as "Good-by. Bill" and
Irving Berlin's "Yip. Zip. Yaphank,"
have been good, but Good Luck. Sam"
differs from them, in that II has plot
and is really n musical comedy
whereas they were clever musical re-
vues. Good Luck. Sam" the book
and lyrics Of which were written ny
Sergeant Edward Anthony. and the
music by Sergeant Louis G.. Merrill
recites :he adventures OF n private
who had tho temerity TO court the
sweetheart of a Second Lieutenant
otherwise a 'shavetail. The first act
takes place in the drawing at Mrs
Mabel Marshmallow's College for
Girls. where Sam spills the beans" by
coming 20 call on Viola Dell Ga lovely
six foot creature with bass voice. a
blonde wig and n lissome form draped
in white muslin nounces) just MS she
Is entertaining her Second Lieutenant
1t takes seven officers to arrest Sam
each of whom in turn presents his
compliments to the next below him in
rank and orders the removal of the
offender. Another good number in
this first act is the drill Of tho SER
wants" by Mrs. Marshmallow. in which
the buffers and washerwoman and
dishwashers. &c. show how they per-
form their tasks in military style.
There are buck dancers and a Jazz
band, in charge OF Sergeant Joseph w.
Sheer. and n handcuT k!ng-W. H..
lgfa OH xx-l,
shackles in really professional fash
ion; there are cartoonists who draw
pictures on the spotted Dillon and
Jack Roscnburc; there are trick rop-
crs and a whistler and wireless op-
orator. and. funniest OF all. there are
seven Isadora dancers.
The charming seven. Patrick Kiley.
Glenn Van Nauker. Frank Butler. Eu-
gene Bass, George Rassmu ssen. All
son Rhue and Sam Robinson. who
called themselves Irmd, Erica, Gretel,
Temple. Teresa. Anna and Ltsel, were
CARRIED In true lsadora Duncan styio
in fllmy draperies OF rainbow culors.
With their toes exposed TO the cold.
cold hreeZes of the stage floor they
drifted about in the mystic. changing
lights, giving n sort OF resume OF all
tn" dances Isadora ever did. and II
their ankles hadn't been so knobby and
their legs hadn't sort OF given them.
selves away by n telltale angularlty OF
movement the Illusion might have
been-well. not complete, but there
have been female dancers who we're
just as awkward.
a surprise in that act was the APP
pearance Of Miss Geraldine Farrar,
who wasn't on the programme, but
who came on the stage and sang
Mighty LAX a Rose" Then she went
10 box and saw the rest Of the play