The Washington herald., 1918-09-03
Belasce-lsNethIng Bat Lies..

Belasce-iNethIng Bat Lies.~
Despite the fact that George Wash
ington has a historical start OF more
than century. the prestige that be
has gained through the medium oi
telling the truth Is In danger, OWNS
to q most determined assault made
by a disciple Of Ananias at the Be-
lasco last night.
But to stick to standard lines, WILL
lam Collier. In Nothing But Lies,
produced under the auspices of G. NJ
Anderson and L. Lawrence Weber
scored q distinct hit, though we hest
tate to give the preponderence OF
credit. for young Mr.. Aaron Hoffman.
who Is listed As the author OF the
play. deserves to be aligned with the
dramatic star.
We were at loss for a word to de-
scribe the offering. as farce and COM
edy are too hackneyed to be used In
connection iwth Mr.. Collieh's vehicle.
but study OF the program revealed
the fact that the producers had
solved the problem for US. and called
the play a "Collierism." Capital. We
will do our bit and label It a "Hoff-
manized Collierism." and let 1t go at
that
Aaron Hoffman has long since been
acclaimed sure-fire writer for
vaudeville. His name attached to an
act on the two-a-day insures booking.
After viewing two OF his efforts of
the full-evening type we are inclined
to believe that his variety reputation
will stick by him. Co-author of
Friendly Enemies" and author OF
Nothing But Lies" Mr.. Hoffman is
established for this season.
The play Itself. which shows In de-
tail the effects OF lies and truth. has
been fashioned In mastery manner
by one who knows audience psychoI-
ogy. and to whom dialogue is a mas
tered trade. Too many OF our writer's
for the stage mistake gags for dia-
logue, but not Mr.. Hoffman. He at
all times adheres to the situation In
hand. letting II create for him the
laughs that must necessarily follow
most natural speeches.
We will not attempt to sketch the
plot of the play. Why should a scenic
artist attempt to create a Corot?
OF the players. William Collier, Of
course. stands pre-eminent. We have
grown so used to seeing him excel
that we are apt to take him as
matter Of course. hut his brand Of hu-
NOR is so much his own that il Is I'M
possible to use comparison without
offending all others In his line of COM
edy
But Mr.. Collier is not alone. The
entire cast is worthy OF supporting
him. Rapley Holmes, as the partner
Of the firm OF Nigh &, Cross uses an
apoplectic method of delivering
speeches that foils perfectly the quiet,
deltcately modulated performance of
the star. Thomas Emory. as the
younger Nigh. contributes a clever in
depreciation OF Bolsheviki sort Of a
character while Frank Monroe pre-
sents US with a detective as true to
the type as broad-toed shoes. OF the
women. Olive wyndham in the lead
ing role is both attractive and talent
cd. Her handling OF the part Of Anna
Nigh leaves nothing to be desired.
Florence Enright makes a real char
acter out Of a stenographer, without
resorting to the use OF chewing gum
and slang
Others in the cast deserving mem
tion are Malcolm Bradley. Jane Blake.
Robert Strange. W. Riley Hatch and.
Grant Stewart, the latter making a bit
in the last act stick in ones memory,
as creation.
A cleverly conceived prologue be-
tween George Washington and Ana
Mas laid In the hereafter. furnishes
an admirable start for the fun which
was rampant all evening
The Anderson-Weber nrm Is not
quite 50 prolific as some Of our other
producers. but they have given us
The Very Idea" and Nothing But
Lies" As comedy offerings they sat-
sfy the most exactfng and we are
to await their next.