New-York tribune., 1918-06-16
Tears, Tunes and Whiskers
'sMaytin,e" Has John Charles Thon,cs
as Well, Who Auers He Was Born With
Barytone Voice Thaf Never Cracked
By Solita Solano

"Maytime" is tuneful, if sad. Like
"Milestones," "The Copperhead" and
"The Blue Paradise" it is one Of those
romances in which the characters put
on twenty years during each inter
mission. The incipient mustaches Of
Act have grown into Van Dykes by
Act II and are truly Scandinavian in
character by the time the third episode
arrives.
OF course, in the last act the lead
ing characters are their own grand
children, shaved for the occasion. for
every manager knows that a beautiful
and romantic aria should never be sung
through the waving interstices Of creme
hair
hereby register my protest against
the undue speeding Of the years in rnu-
slcal comedies. 1t is quite all right for
regular play to kill off two or three
generations of people one has grown
fond Of, for one expects to suffer in the
cause of art when sitting before the
drama. But change, decay and death
seem out of place between song cues
and the renewal Of the beauty chorus's
makeup and gowns.
Also ! detest looking at dead apple
tree in Act ~ which 1 saw planted.
all unsuspecting and hopeful, in Act I.
do not wish to know how the hand
some John Charles Thomas is going to
look at sixty-fve, and I cannot but feel
aggrieved to know he could ever con-
slider sideburns becoming-or even
possible.
All OF which means that "Maytime~
made unheard-of demands on one small
handkerchief and two tear ducts. Fur
ehermore, it made impossible my usual
boast about never weeping in the thea
tire, no matter how many deathbed
scenes are played or lovers parted for
ever.
John Charles Thomas, whose beauti-
full barytone voice is one of the "Mav-
time" charms, has been applauded by
Broadway for many seasons. Even if.
ne did wear presumably yellow curl
IN the middle of his forehead when he
was little nipper, sing in the choir
and wear Fauntleroy outfit because
his mamma thought him as pretty as a
girl, there's no denying he has turned
out we'll. Most boys who begin life as
mothers helps end with g correspond.
ence course in inferior decorating or
take to hanging around the house and
planning how to get their soulful eyes
on movie screen.
John Charles is no good example for
the youth Of the country to follow. In
the first place, his voice was so good
that he didn't have to practise scales or
even gargle. He was so good looking
that he had no necessity to grow taller
by hanging from the wrists or to fuss
with thin spots in his hair. Nor did he
need to rub vaaeline IN his eyelashes or
seek the cold cream jar before retiring.
He had no struggle with life. Nature
provided everything that goes to make
a matinee idol de luxe and gave him
nothing that would interfere with his
career.
Thus, earn what you have" "a kite
dies against, not with, the wind" ""Wcrk
all the time if you want success" and
other mottoes which the young are told
to make their own were not for John
Charles. Even when he toddled about
his nursery he sang more easily than
he talked. Melodies poured from the
doors and windows of the rectcry, and
his father had to bribe him to be quiet
during the composition Of his weekly
sermon. While other little boys were
eating sticks Of candy that were the
rewards of learning song at mothers
knee, John Charles was told If he really
must sing please to go far out into the
garden and face due west.
Aa John Charles grew older his voice
grew with him. easily and without ef-
fors. He was born barytons. have