The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-27
"LIGHTNIN OPENS
SEASON AT GAIETY
Frank Bacon Dominates Play
Written by Himself and
Winchell Smith.
CENTRAL ROLE PLEASES
Deity Drawn Character Wins
Audience With Sense Of
Humor and Honor.

The offering for the seasons opening
at the Gaiety Theatre last night was
'Liehtnin'." a production by winchell
Smith and John l.. Golden. Mr.. Smith
is likewise coauthor of the piece with
Frank Bacon, and Mr.. Bacon has the
principal role But In this interinking
of interests 1t is perhaps proper to place
upon Mr.. Smith much of the RESPONSE
hility for the play and to give Mr..
Bacon the credit for FettinS success
fully over the footliehts
Frank Bacon has for years been try
ing to make other mems characters live,
but in Lightnin' Bin Jones he has taken
a character whom he knew years ago,
put 1t upon the stage idealized it per-
haps, but at the same time given It
real, substantial existence.
IN Lioht,ir Bus Jones he has drawn
deftly and cleverly an appealing person
age, a ne'er do well, spinner Of yarns, a
man who might not Re choSh for
steady everyday job but whose honor
could be depended upon and whose
sense of humor was an unfaiSng re-
source.
Central Character Dominates.
and that gives the piece its charm. Ae
is the centre about which revnlvcs the
action of the play, none too convincing
in its developments but interesting
enough to hold the attention of the au-
'dience through a prologue and three acts.
The simplicity Of his nature is SHOWN
IN his faith in young John Marvin, law
student and forester. When Mar7'in tells
the old man that two sharpers, Torr-
send and Harper are trying to rob him
and his family. NE believes strongly
enough to put his faith to a severe test
Rather than sign a deed he leaves his
home, to return several months after
ward to find himself a defendant in a
suit for divorce on the charge OF deser-
ton. His candor, the earnestness and
evident honesty Of his appeal wins HIM
the suit and restores to him his wife and
his home.
The property which the sharpers were
endeavoring to obtain was Jones's hotel,
Just on the California -NevaHa border,
and a convenient resort for women seek
inc to establish a residence for Reno
divorce.
Divorce Comedy Feature.
It formed a good excuse for the in
| PRODUCTION OF the comedy element OF the
piece, the principal burden OF Whtch
| fell upon Jane Oaker as the dancer,
Mnr9aTet Darts, who sought a divorce
| from her partner. and upon Thomas
! Maclarnie, the susceptible Sudge, LemUol
| ToenseNd. who was only too willing to
| free her from her matrimonial bonds.
Ralph Morgan was earnest as John
| Mdr1,m, but his efforts to prove his sin
certify led him to undo slightly his act
| ing in the court scene. Paul stanton
! gave the necessary desree Of srnsrtaesS
to the lawyer. Raymond Thomas. and
| Harry Davenport was ponderous enough
with his testimony to give the impress
| sion that he might he the head Of a
! fake land corporation.
Jessie rringle played with a fine de-
eree of naturalness the role Of the land
| lady, Mrs Jones, and did A sympathetic
bit Of acting in the court scene Bea.
| trice Nichols was attractive as Jones's
foster daughter and Mdr1fn's sweet.
heart. She was never, never to speak
! TO him again, but she changed her mind,
and did IL gracefully, too.
Theatresoers will see "Lightnin'" for
some time vet, for II II gets its full
desserts II will continue AT the Gaiety
even after the winter season gets into
full swing.