The Washington herald., 1918-08-26
PoIr.-.wntch Your NeIshbor.r -

Every once in a while Oliver Mo-
iosco reaches out somewhere in some
virgin spot in the theatrical ozone
and gathers himself a star. Some
times it is a player such as Lenore
Clrich; sometimes it is authors: wit
ness, The Hattons. However, Mr..
Morosco has gone himself one bet
ter this time and snatched in the
person of Mr.. Leon Gordon both an
actor and an author who acquits
himself most creditably in both roles.
Watch Your Neighbor." the We
hicle which makes the foregoing pos
sible, is just about equal to the best
war melodrama that we have yet
seen. Compelling in its interest. its
story runs logically along a path
replete with the thrills that are so
dear to the heart of the gallery god.
And in this instance the thrills are
so real that those who sit downstairs
make no bones Of liking them.
There is an element of propa ganda
in the plot which concerns the do
ings OF pacifist socialists, the theme
of the play in general showing that
when We lift the coat tail of a
pacifist socialist, we can depend
upon finding a German. The types
introduced TO US in the socialist con-
ference last night were not SO over
drawn as to seem unnatural and it
was perfectly evident from the start
that the German representative
dominate ted The socialistic crowd of
the world5
The stofy OF the frustration of
the master stroke of pacifism is per-
lAfN
II might spoil in the telling. It
mas peen cleverly constructed by
Leon Gordon and Leroy Clemens.
poth OF whom we confess are un-
known to US. They have dispfayed
an excellent knowledge of stage
crait. however. in the placing of
their thrills and the necessary COM
edy relief. At times the lines are
exceedingly clever and at no time
tiresome. One scene. the second act
might easily become a bore were il
not for the comedy and for a finish
that lifted the audience from their
seats. 1t was rather the sort OF
stunt that Douglas Fairbanks up to
this time has seemed to corner. but
Mr. Gordon gave a very creditable
imitation of Doug" last night with
out the aid Of camera trickery.
The principal acting honors 20 To
the author-leading man. Incidently
lt Is most evident that Mr.. Gordon
has written himself a fat part
However. be measures up TO IL and
despite the difficulties OF its dua
phases, he seems equally at home as
the foppish Englishman and in the
straight lead.
nf thu
referred TO as Onward. Christmas
Soldiers" Dodson Mitchell as the Ger
man takes first honors. Harold yos
ourgh as the Socialist emissary from
switzerland gave a creditable per.
formance of a small part. while Ed
ward Coiebrook and Bertram Mar
burgh also deserve mention.
Mary Servoss. in the leading femi.
nine role. handled her part in finished
manner. with Ruby Hailier ana Leah
Winslow handling a couple of good
bits In splendid fashion.
Two OF the settings showing the
council rooms OF the Socialists and
| view of the Alps from a hotel bal.
cony were particularly handsome and
effective.
While there has been an abundance
OF war plays. watch Your Neigh.
Dor refrains from using trenches OF
actual warfare. and from this reason
| alone It Is a novelty Besides. II Il
! mighty good melodrama. and the
whole world likes good melodrama.
Casino-'sUncIe Sans BelIes.n
This weeks offering at the Casino
Theater. Uncle Sain's Bellies" bris-
ties with sparkling comedy and tune.
full songs, As might be expected OF
an attraction with such a title, II
possesses a patriotic flavor.
The comedy is clean, fast and fu-
rious. In the first part, which goes
by the title Of Cabaret a la Carte"
George -slocum and Harry Strattor
are featured. In the second part
which bears the title OF .The Battle
Of Too Quick" Earl Kearn and Ma
FaTnum furnish the FUN. and they