The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-12
A WALTER THEORY.

In 1.-The Challenge" Eugene Wal
ter's new play now at the Selwyn
Theatre, Mr.. Walter again makes a
contribution to contemporary thought
in the form of melodrama, explaining
his adherence to this mode of express
sion by saying that melodrama is the
most familiar language to America.
"Melodrama Is the one form of play
writing that is true to American life,
for we are all melodramatic to the
core, whether we admit 1t or not. And
If melodrama is our most familiar
language then why not talk in terms
Of melodrama?" the playwright de-
manded to know when recently dis
cussing a tendency to sniff at the
play which deals frankly and directly
with primitive emotions.
THAT which tells the truth about
life is the only real art there is" Mr..
Walter went on with his personal def
milton of the melodrama THE main
difference between melodrama and
other forms of drama is that the
former deals only with vital situations
and experiences. So, unless we are
ashamed of the big moments in our
lives, there is no reason to hide the
satisfaction we find in the big and
virile melodrama that strips away the
hypocrisy and veneer and shows us
the heart of man.
1T is the big moments of life which
thrill us, both on and off the stage;
the big moments which are worth
while. so that it always makes me
distruStful to hear a man decry the
great, big throbbing story of prin-
tive emotions when it is told upon
the stage. Nothing so quickly con-
vinces me that he is a hypocrite, for
at heart the whole world loves melo-
drama. High or low, rich or poor, we
all enjoy the depletion of familiar
emotions. 1t is the one vehicle tor
strong emotions and big situations
and therefore it appeals to America
more than to other nations, for, as a
nation. we are yet a primitive people
doing big things in a big way. We
haven't yet the veneer of European
countries which have centuries of Gull
ture behind them, but we lose nothing
on that account, for too frequently in
getting a polish a people rubs off
, something of a more desirable sin
! ceiity. Here in America we are
frank, direct and without pretensions.
| That is why the man who tells the
truth will admit that he likes tho
play which deals with big emotions"
Mr.. Walter concluded.
THE Easiest Way" paid in Fun
and Fine Feathers are the most
striking predecessors of THE Chal-
lenge," in which Mr.. Walter has kept
faith with his belief in the potency of
this form of playwriting.
When there's a will there's a way
has been proved true by the largest
theatre in the world'-the Capitol, at
! broadway and I'ifty-first street New
Hork-when that huge institution was
| converted into a moving picture studio
! the other day in an endeavor to show
that art and mechanics can easily meet
without a clash. Hammers pounded
} and saws buZzed amid the tinklng o.
| lively tunes as Ned Wayburn, the
drill major" of many beauty choruses,
! urged his revue on and on to the best
! or dance and song. Occasionally the
| ranks of diligently rehearsing girls
| were suddenly broken by a "neryy'
/ hod carrier in a ceaseless effort to dee
! liver the substances that are bringing
the structure to completion. This Was
only one of the disturbances that broke
/ up, now and then, the lively PAGES OF
the little beauties.
Nothing could distract the little
beauties; like a regiment of soldiers
they stuck nobly TO their leader, trip
ping merrily across the stage, IN
daunted by falling plaster, DISCARDED
lumber or showers of nails. The shn"
must be perfect and the Capitol inca.
tire must be opened--and good movies
must necessarily be supplemented
with a perfect revue. And so me
strange combination proceeds on the
Capitol stage. This procedure has
not only proved that art and me-
Chanics can meet, but 1t has given
the Wayburn beauty brigade an OPP
portunity to break into the inevt'ooe
movies" for a motion picture was
made of the strange scene.
The management promises 10 IlaSh
this test" upon the screen during the
Iopening week so that Capitol audiences
can be better introduced to the per-
sonnet OF the Wayburn Revue.
"