El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-23

. comedies are manufactured TO make
the tired business man forget prof.
/ teering for the time being, and per
init the ladies to gather new ideas
as to cOiffeurs and-and-lingerie.
Spectators Hurt Good show.
No better Illustration Of the ma
7 lign influence Of the ticket speculat-
ing fraternity in New York over the
destnies Of plays produced in local
theaters has been afforded for months
than in the case Of the "Gipsy Trail, %
which closed at the Plymouth last
saturday night after run OF about
three months
II is a fortunate thing Tor theater-
gers in other cities that this piece
VIII be taken on the road. because it
is one Of the sweetest and most
wholesome comedies that has been
produced in several seasons
Despite the undenia5Ie appeal Of the
piece: despite even the fact that ev-
eryone who sSw IL was sure TO recon-
mend 10 his friends that they also see
IL, the production was not particularly
profitable, and during the last two
OF three weeks Of its engagement
played TO houses that were only half
filled
1t is sad commentary on New
FORKS dramatic taste that half a doz-
en- plays of less merit were packing
the houses at every performance with
in stones throw Of the Plymouth
and IT is 70 the everlasting credit Of
Arthur Hopkins. who produced the
-Gipsy Trail that he refused TO let
the spectators boycott bring him 20
terms Al seats were on sale at the
box office at all times, but the con
slant and insidious knocking" Of the
spectators who could see profit in
forcing the sale Of tickets TO less mer-
~ nHfaH# fHHr =
uand 10 fan far short Of the deserts
Of the play.
Incidentally. the "Gipsy Trail" has
in its cast one Of the best grand
mothers and one Of the best child
actors that have delighted Broadway
audiences in years Miss Fife Ellsler
the "Grandmother," who viii be best
remembered by playgOers Of former
generations as Hazel Kirze. from 1873
to 1882. and as Cordelia 10 Edwin
Forests Lear gives most delight
ful impersonation OF goth century
grandmother Her costumes are eX-
tremely tasteful and her interprets-
ton Of the old woman who has not
forgotten that she was once q girl
could not be improved upon
Frank Longacre. who plays the
noisy kid brother in the same cast, il
only IL years old. He has been acting,
carries off a very hard part without
the slightest trace Of self conscious
ness or that bum Dtiousness which so
often mars the efforts Of the child
wonders who appear from time TO
time
Young Frank is entitled to a special
mention because he has reversed the
usual order OF dramatic success and
deserted the movies. in which he got
his start about four years ago, for
the spoken drama. in which he seems
destined to become increasingly
prominent.
Another aChHd wonder
Speaking OF the portrayal OF child
parts brings one naturally TO con-
slider the work which Lillian Ross IS
now doing as Jane the ten year old
villain in Booth Tarkington's happy
now running ar the Booth theater.
Miss Ross Is the kind Of little sister
that practically every fellow has had
during that most painful period Of the
growing up process when one is all
legs and arms, when ones voice is
changing and when puppy love has
cast its aSonizlng coils about one
What Jane does 10 her brother viii
lie-Which part, by the way, is played
with consummate art by Gregory Kel-
lY-is plenty. How can a man who
is almost old enough to shave and who
dress suit" before he is another week
older. show to advantage before the
new girl in town If he has an obnox-
ious beast Of a little sister trailing at
his heels all the time and hurting out
unpleasant truths2 He cannot show
to advantage. Of course, but IL has re-
manned for Miss Ross. as Jane, 70
show Just how ridiculous he can be.
Miss Ross is Is years old. but OF
very diminutive stature, and she
doesn't seem TO be a minute over the
ten years that have been allotted 70
the pesky Jane.
New Musical Comedy.
Elizabeth Narbury is planning 70
produce next season another musical
comedy by Philip Bartholomae and
Frank Tours. authors OF Girl Of
Nine which Miss Marbury and the
Shuberts are now presenting at the
Eijou theater- The locale Of the new
comedy is laid in the jungles Of the
Amazon, South America.
Bessie Mccoy. widow Of Richard
Harding Davis, has signed up for a
number Of weeks on the Keith vaude-
Vile circuit In an elaborate dancing
act in which she VIII be assisted by
Paul Frawley.
Miss Effie shannon has been en-
gagged by Joseph Hart TO play the
leading role In Suppressed Desires"
cha -fmrA- - --frr~f- Tl---.