The Washington herald., 1918-09-03
Last Night at Theaters

, die. It has good material and good
material is too scarce these days to
be wasted.
National-A Marriage Of Conven-
fence"
II appears that Mr.. Henry Miller
10 disposed to take the drama seri-
ousiy. One 10 tempted to believe
that MIR. Miller retains q certain
faith in the drama as a serious
method OF expressing human emo
tion. 1t 10 not too droil. perhaps,
to assume that Mr.. Miller believes
a Dumas comedy susceptible to a
treatment that might be at once
Intelligent In and of itself and in
telligible TO the American people
at present popuiatins the eastern
or Atlantic side of the United States
of America.
such. at any rate, are the impress
sions one can hardly fail 10 obtain
from an even casual Inspection of
Mr.. Miller's exposition OF Alexandra
Dumas "A Marriage Of Convenience. ."
Frankly. one can almost imagine that
the time may come again when classic
drama will be restored to its place
among the arts. and once again the
American family may come to regard.
with due reverence. an adventure
theaterward.
Miss Ruth Chatterton, OF Daddy
Longlegs" fame, Is a most conspicu-
Gus figure In the Henry Miller pro-
duction set forth for the deIectatIon
OF National Thester patrons this week.
Miss Chatterton, while not hitherto a
student of France of the period iu,t
preceding the Terror. has assimllated
with distinct success some very able
instructions and her delineation OF
the character of a convent girl. forced
into q marriage OF convenience with
the cynical wordly-wise though
amiable Comte de Candale, only 20
commit the ridiculous folly OF falling
In love with her husband, Is marked
with all the winsome grace and
piquant charm so becoming to the
Chatterton personality.
One failed. in fact. to detect ANY
flaw In Miss Chatterton'. work-at
least. any flaw OF a major charac-
ter. 1t is possible that she might
have emphasized to a more distinct
degree the purely romantic. possi-
bilities of her role. but comedy is
a comedy. and 1t seems the prevail
ing opinion that comedy romance
must not be exploited at the utter
expense OF humor.
Henry Miller, who, of course will
ever be known by his work in The
Great Divide" is a convincing speci-
men Of the French monsignor Of the
Louis XIV period, and while his de-
velopment of the part Is distinctly
able. it is no more than what one
has come to expect of so able a
thespian.
Lowell Sherman. as the Chevalier de
Nalclos, close friend OF the Comte and
would-be intimate of the Cofntesse, is
convincing In his mannerisms, and his
appreciation OF the demands OF his
own and others roles. unfortunately.
Is in too striking contrast to the In
credulous performances of David
Glassford. who labors without special
success to convince that his is the
true type OF general Of France
under Louis XIV! Frances Ames and
Frederick Lloyd are thoroughly COM
mendable in their portrayal of minor
roles and make the most of not in
different opportunities.
In summary. the Miller production
of "A Marriage Of Convenience"
runs thick and yellow with art and
atmosphere. 1t is fully 60 per cent
atmosphere. but a most charming the
atrical ozone. notwithstanding. Its
passages and situations essentially
suggest the rapier and the minuet.
and there is nowhere let-down in
favor OF the slapstick and the one
step.
"A few more productions OF the same
variety. Mr.. Miller. and classic. cos
TUNED comedy will not be altogether
kissing and a byword In the land,