New-York tribune., 1918-09-15

an associate of the former, worked out
an entirely new scenario, but Mr.. Tyler
felt that it was no Improvement on the
original.
He applied himself to the task Of
reconstruction, calling in Freoerick
Stanhope, the stage director. Be
tween them they evolved number of
structural! changes, one OF which de-
manded the dumping overheard of
Captain Hughes's charmingly written
scene, which was all right in itself, but
which seriously intorfcred with the
proper development of the story.
At this stage they called in young
Mr.. George S. kaufman, the dramatic
editor of "Thc Times and the writer
Of much witty comment on things the
atrical which has appeared in recent
wears. To Mr.. kaufman was assigned
the task of whipping into actable shape
the changes which had been made.
NJ. Kaufman applied himself assdu-
ousiy to the undertaking, completely
rewriting long stretches of the dia-
logue and irfusing into it much of the
wit which is now an essential part of
the whole. In the mean time Mr.. Hull
had obtained an engagement with
"Why Marry" and II. B. Warner was
engaged for the leading role.
In its thoroughly revised and altered
form the play was produced at the
Blackstone Theatre. Chicago, last win
ter, with Mr.. Warner as the Dancer.
1t enjoyed a run of eight weeks there
and seemed to excite interest and
amusement Something, however, still
seemed to be lacking.
Accordingly its New York opening
was put over until this season. All
summer long Mr.. Evans, Mr.. Kaufman
and MIR. Tyler worked on the manu-
script, this time with an entirely new
idea in mind. Jimmie Burke, the
Dancer, was to turn out to be de-
tectivc at the end OF the play, and
gentleman named Hargraves, who had
always been figure in the piece, was
to be the real thief. To disarm the
audience the clever Mr.. Kaufman wrote
in speech in which one of the char
acters asks Glcndenning, the author of
the play within the play, why he didn't
trying something new in HIS play, such
as having the thief turn out to be the
detective. This was written and spoken
in sarcastic vein.
Mr.. Warner didn't like the change in
the play, and after long correspond
ence begged to be freed from his con-
tract. Mr. Tyler, whose attention was
so completely riyetcd on the piece that
It was distracting him from all his
other activities, peremptorily released
him and engaged Cyril Keightley 70.
the leading role. The play then had
production at u "try-out" week in
Wash .ngton, about month ago
The producer now made an inter-
esting discovery. 1t was that in pre-
pairing for his new Surprise" ending
the first three acts Of the play, which
enormously improved both from the
consideration Of dramatic interest and
comedy. The ending, which was in the
original play quite the best thing in
the piece, was now IN the new version
the weakest link.
Aeightlcy didn't like the new ending
and resigned. In sheer desperation
Mr.. Tyler, with a New York opening
staring him in the face and having
apparently exhausted the list Of poesi-
bilities among the featured" players,
decided TO intrust The leading role TO
Robert Hudson a personals young
juvenile who had been appearing iN
one OF The smaller roles and who had
won newspaper mention everywhere
for his lkable personality.
He now called in Two Of the best
known "play doctors" ia America
Brandon lyman and William H. Post
reconstruction of dozens of plays with
never Il line of credit on the pro-
gramme. The piece was booked in
Trenton for q single night prior TO its
presentation at the Knickerbocker.
There was rehearsal on the night
previous which lasted until o'clock in
the morning. The new group Of au-
thors remained in the theatre until
after O'Clock making alterations.
When the piece was played that night
every one was unanimous in asserting
that the one thing which at all mill
tated against it's certain success was
the last act.
And so, at convention Of all the
authors concerned in Mr.. Tylcr's Of
fee the following morning, motion
TO restore the original ending of the
original play was unanimously adopted
by rising vote,
So now Jimmie Burke doesn't turn
out to be detective and Tom Har-
graves-well, you'll have to find out
about the original surprise" ending
when you see it yourself.
Incidentally it may be mentioned in
passing that Mr. Kaufman has dram
atized Dulcinea, Captain Franklin T.
Adams'S we'll known lady friend. She
is played by the vivacious and fasci-
mating Lynn Fontannc and she scattcrs
bromides all over the stage from the
moment OF her first entrance. Also, in
,fNpntally Nv X EauTrnao ar,o1nnlis " od