The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-25
MOVIES ARE SCARED
IN C0HAN'S DRAMA
"a Prince There Was" Adapt
ed From Novel by Aldrich,
Is Presented.
billiard IS THE STAR
story Shows Publishers the
Need Of PatrOnizing OBJ
scure Authors.
billiard IS THE STAR

4 Katherine woods, VI. y. C..Proeoe huht
Mr.. Cricket. ..........A. q. Andrews
From the title "A Prince There
Was" one might anticipate nothing
more than a pleasing fairy story for
modern sceptics. The name Of George
NJ. Cohan as the adapter OF DarraSh
Aldrich's novel implies much also in
the way Of comedy, sentiment and
6exterous stagecraft. For full meas
ure, however. the play includes liberal
dashes Of soaring satire on the movies
and popular magazines.
The celluloid impresarios and kings
of the publishing business will do well
to sit at the feet Of Messrs. Conan
and Aldrich. II they carry away moth
ing Of great moment about the hlms
except memories capable Of shaking
their mighty ribs they will at least
learn that compassion for unknown
authors in squalid circumstances Is
the most infallible key to success In
conducting a magazine Robert Hill
lard will undoubtedly find success in
this new vehicle.
Beginning 10 Btbulous.
The audience is introduced to
Charles Martin as he lies on a couch
in n luxurious apartment at the Plaza,
utterins duerulous calculations at his
man Bland. It gradually becomes APP
parent that all is not we'll with Mar
Tin. The nature of his malady Is
soon evident when he begins to con-
- -
xives a realistic study of the hopeless
inebriate's demeanor and muzzy state
Of mind at ten o'clock in the morning
Little by little Mr.. North becomes
more cheerful in response to the slim
ulant, but somehow the picture is not
a pleasant one. That is what makes
II wholesome temperance propaganda,
and there is more OF this to come In
other forms
Martins old friend and former busi-
ness associate, jock Cdrnthers Is de-
termined to redeem him. His exhorta-
ton is a waste of time, for that sort OF
thing can do little for a pathological
case. Martin was born with silver
spoon in his mouth and found things
came his way very easily. He was
still comparatively young when he re-
tired from the publishing business with
many millions. But he has finally lost
interest in life. Cdrruthers has fondly
imagined that he can get Martin in
terested in some woman, but he hat
little hope after the interview.
waif II Fairy GodmOther.
Then the fairy godmother enters the
story in the form OF a little girl She
is see king ar. Cdrruthers in behalf OF
q young woman writer at her board
ing house whose stories have been re-
turned by the magazine. Martin be-
comes interested in the little waits
story and makes sudden resolve. He
realizes that the trouble with himself
is that he has never had to struggle ir
life. to smash his way through the
crowd, that the skies were always blue
over his head and the sailing fair. Sc
he is going out to bump the bumps
Cqrruthers reminded him that he used
20 hc a prince, and now OF course hi
Is going to play the fairy prince at th'
boarding house.
Mrs. Proutys boarding house al
fords an opportunity for the display o.
number of comedy types, from thu
broken down lawyer to the near tough
movie actor who plays detective parts
These scenes were the most amusing
Of the play and evoked constant roar
OF laughter. Martin enters this taw
dry milieu with an almost princely eff
fuigence. He has assumed the nam'
OF Prince. apd his fellow boarders as
sumo at once that he is somethin,
other than what he seems. Having
accepted the job OF assistant editor oil
Cdrruthers' Magazine, he is in a pc
sition to accept for publication tn
stories of Miss Woods. and his benev
olence extends to the old lawyer VIII
has spent a year writing a paper oil
y international law.
Detective on the Trail.
There is mystery about Mis-
Woods as we'll as Mr.. Prince, and tn
movie detective is soon on their trai
with the landlady's daughter as a
eide. The pair report to Mr.. Car
ruthers. suspecting that his safe ha
been robbed CdrrutherS encourage
Them, delighted TO find that Mdrti
has bit and that his scheme is begin
ming to work. Perhaps there is Away
n temptation In dramatizing a novel I
take over too much material. Ger
tainly the first night performance wa
rather long, and the happy -denoue
ment was generally anticipated we
n advance OF the final curtain.
~. billiard portrayed admirably a
the varying phases Of his role, and tn
supporting cast was excellent withou
exceptions. Little Marie Vernon wa
one OF the first favorites with the audi
ence as tho fairy god mother. Rut
Donnelly was the piquant daughte
OF the landlady, and that somewhs
hrusque parsonage was ably repre-
scented by Jessie Ralph. Ralph Sip
perly was tina simple minded movi
sleuth who provoked so much merri
ment, A.. G. Andrews gave an effectiv
sketch as the old lawyer, and Phnb
Hunt. AS would be expected, prove
herself fully equal TO the role opposit
Mr.. billiard, which involved contrast
ing portraits OF tho poor author VIII
occupied a skylight room and Of tn
dashing and winsome magazine write
on the crest Of the wave.
New Rumanian Minister in Psri,