El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-14
FOn7--Act Shoe
Good In Three
Of The Scenes
Daddy Longlegs" Would
Be Improved Without
Orphan Asylum.

II they'd just eliminate the whole
first act and start the play with act
two and have somebody in a few
words explain that Judy Abbott is
the product OF an orphanage and that
her unknown benefactor is the rich
old-young man so interested in her
/ college career, It would be a lot bet
ter show.
True, the first act is a rather
too true picture and a strong indict-
ment Of certain benevolent" institu-
lions that are supposed to take the
place Of fathers and mothers for or
phan children. but It is so sordid that
it makes one wish it wasn't in the
otherwise very wholesome play
Leaving aside the orphanage and its
matron with the vinegar disposition
and its nosey board Of trustees and
its impossible. exaggerated children.
Daddy Longlegs" is a delightful bit
Of comedy-drama, handled by good
cast Of people
There are a lot Of situations that
keep one chuckling or laughing out
right, as the case may be. and not so
much Of the sad, soft pedal stuff that
handkerchief need be spoiled over it
The play, after 1t gets to going
good. hits the higher and the lighter
spots in life for the most part
For instance, when the party line
telephone rings and the old country
woman listens in" she tells about
1t thus wise:
It's awful the way Jim Weaver
swears over the telephone. His con-
versation is not fit to listen to. Every
lady on the line ought to complain"
Or. when the Crawfords' phone
rings and she remarks, after listen
ing in; What do you suppose she
wants to make ice cream for in the
middle Of the Week2'
All the laughs are not at or with
the old woman who listens in" not
by any manner OF means. There are
a lot Of laughs with the college girls
in their study" lot more with those
who make up the characters on the
farm during the vacation period and
still lot more
happy, jolly sort Of a play, with the
right sort Of ending and all that, haF-
ing very little plot, preaching no ser
mon, Just telling the story Of a girl
in an orphan asylum with ambition,
who IS sent to college by q sympa-
thetic man she has never seen and
who, for want Of a better name.
legs" then falls in love with him
when he comes into her life as the
uncle Of her college friend and later
rejects him in marriage because she
doesn't know he knows and doesn't
want him to know that she is a waif
II all ends happily when she writes
to dear old Daddy Longlegs" and
tells him her difficulty.
It is q wholesome play, built merely
FOR entertainment, quite well con-
structed and enjoyable-au save that
opening scene at the Orphanage, which
shouldn't have been put in, but which
they are not going TO take out just to
please US; so, II you see ft-and the
olher three acts are good enough not
TO miss-youu have to make up your
mind 70 endure the asylum while it
lasts
And. by the way. Robert Checker.
the leading man, in the role of Jeryis
Pendleton. is about the most delight
Iul leading man one can imagine. He
the men ana yet good looking enough
70 make the usual impression upon
the other sex. which is some distinc-
ton, somebody will say. no doubt.
Miss Alice Haynes, the leading
woman. who says she believes in real
life what she says in the character Of
Judy Abbott, that IF Won give A 1
woman clothes, she can accomplish
is most charming after she /
gets out OF that first act, and pretty, |
as well
With two such excellent leads, al !
most any show would be a success.
but the leads alone do not carry this
play. For instance. Leonora Bradley.
as Mrs Semple, the keeper Of summer
boarders. whose main entertainment
In life is enjoying the telephone con-
Tersaions OF her neighbors on her
party line. is splendid Though she !