Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-10
BACK TO EARTH" WINS
GENEROUS APPROVAL
Novel Comedy, With an Excellent
Cast, Draws Many Laughs
at the Broad

novel Idea cleverly worked out in plot
that calls for situations which at times re-
minds one of Nothing But the Truth"
The Thirteenth Chair" and Seven Keys to
Baldpate'' plus scme splendid acting and
artistic stage tFappings. makes Back to
Earth" a comedy. by william lie Baron.
presented at the Broad last night, one of the
best theatrical offerings here this season.
There was packed house to receive it,.
III laughs and curtain calls are measures
OF success. then Back to Earth" Is a smash
ing hit The dialogue, while at times broaa.
Is snappy and bright. Nothing serious is In
tended nor could 1t be found with a micro
scope throughout the three acts of the piece.
II Is a bully entertainment of light texture
meant to tickle the rsibilties and nothing
more-just humorous fantasy that leaves
pausibility out In the back alley. and from
the rise of the curtain proceeds to make
the audience forget its own cares and take
enjoyment from the troubles of the char
acters in the play. That not a point in tho
dehghtful complications is lost. nor the pur-
pose of the playwright to entertain defeated.
Is due as much to the work of the capable
company as to the author, who by no means
has turned out any trilng manuscript
one has but to consider the idea around
which Mr.. lie Baron has built his comedy
an angel. bored in heaven. who obtains
two weeks leave of absence to live upon
earth among the wealthy set of New Yorn
city--to grasp its possibilities The comedy
naturally arises from the heavenly visitors
unsonhisticaton and the puzzle he proves
to those about him, none of whom Is aware
OF whence he came except his host, and he
won't tell-that is not until matters become
so mudl that explanation Is the only
thing that will save the situation the celestial
being in human guise has created in the love
affair of this same benefactor.
The almost impossibility of one going
about in this modern day without straining
the truth to please those with whom one
comes In social O. business contact Is a point
emphasized by the author. Frankness and
veracity are more often likely to get US into
trouble as not This was the idea behind
Nothing But the Truth" The fact that
men have sacrificed their chances of eternal
happiness in their pursuit of earthly love is
another phase OF Mr.. lie Baron's play,
treated from a comedy viewpoint Of course
A spirtualistic seance in the first act is al
most travesty on a scene in THE Thfr-
teenth Chair" The method of presenting the
comedy Is after the fashion of Seven Keys
to Badpate"
The role OF the angel come to earth seems
as IL the author had Wallace Eddinger. who
enacts the character. in mind wnen ne created
II, SO well does the act r fit into II. Charles
Cherry. who can always be counted upon to
give creditabe performance. be the part
fat or lean Is excellent as the wealthy bache-
lor host Of the visitor Ruth Shepley ap-
pears to good advantage in the character Of
the girl with whom the angel falls in love-
An especially clever performance Is given
by Minna Gomble as a nervous talkative ana
suspicious matron. Others VINO help make
the comedy go are Harold Hendee Paula
Sterlirr. James Dyrenforth, James Kearney
and Kirby Davis. Mr. LIE Baron and Fred
G. Latham. who produced thu comedy. were
present at last nights performance. The
piece is presented by Charles Dillingham;.