New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-07
4~HERE is plenty of room here
iii for good, wholesome, inoffen-
w sive productions that are

Righteousness. Mayor Hylan.
During brief furry about "Aphro-
dite" last week, one of Mr. Hearst's
papers spoke favorably of the posi-
bility of censor for the plays of New
York The suggestion, also, has been
made from time to time by ministers
who have been offended at current pro-
ductions. 1t is we'll to bear in mind,
however, just what the quality and
nature of that censorship of plays will
be if We ever come to it. 1t is we'll to
remember that the men who built the
Victory Arch will be the persons to say
whether or not new play is artistic.
That it will undoubtedly be the func-
ton Of Mr.. Hearst to say what is whole
some and of Red Mike" to pass on
what Is instructive
By the way, since Mayor Hylan has
begun to take up the morals of the
New York stage in a serious way why
shouldn't he review the whole field
instead of limiting his investigation
to such local issues as whether the
statue which comes to life in "Aphro-
dlte" wears nothing, varnish or tights?
Does the Mayor know, we wonder, that
IN MY Lady Friends" a male charac-
; ter speaks over the long distance tele-
phone to lady in Boston, who says
that she is taking bath? We also
wish to cite other dramatic happen
lngs which might we'll be investigated
ooy the proper city authorities if Mr.
Hearst has not the time to get around
70 them himself. In a comic opera,
Robin Hood" playing at the Park
iheater, the chief character announces
mat ne believes in taking money from
ne ne rich and giving it to the poor.
ms Is, of course, a clear violation
OF national as we'll as city ordinances
against criminal anarchy. "Too Many
husbands" at the Booth, condones
olgamy by explaining how easy it is
to avoid the consequences. "The Jest"
permits fratricide. "Declassee" init
mates that marriage is not always
successful. "The Unknown Woman"
suggests that politicians are sometimes
ashonest, and His Honor Abe Potash"
implies that even Mayor may be
iadlcrous. Does Mr.. Hylan think such
lnings as these are wholesome?
1t Is unfair to say that Hartley Man
ners had no thought in mind except to
provide a vehicle for his wife when
ne wrote Zone Night in Rome" There
a definite idea in the play, but it is
not worked out to IT'S logical possibili-
ues. Mr.. Manners undoubtedly had in
mind play about fear, study o. a
man who has had the courage to battle
constantly against this factor and has
Won his way against it step by step, CON
quering first of all physical fear and
Wentually moral fear as we'll. There
aie, of course, great dramatic possibili-
ues In such theme. Fear, which is
certainly an emotion which has PLAYED
an enormous part in the development of
modern civilization does not come into
our theater very often except as farce
theme. We are afraid to handle fear
seriously. to handle it, for instance, as
4. G. Wells does in THE Research
Magnificent"
But it is easy to see one of the diff
ssuities which presented itself to Mr..
banners when he undertook to write
ms fear play. Any study of the ten
asncy toward cowardice in an individual
must go far back into his early life
sear is one of the strongest emotions
cnildren and almost everything we
are afraid of first began it's conquest
y US back in nursery days. Accord
..sseiy,, Mr.. Manners can do no more
va Van have his hero tell something of
~ early fears and the device Of for
.sae teller is legimate enough for
~, SSen revelation. Unfortunately, for
~ Tear theme, Mr.. Manners became in
sested IN the character of the for
msne-tsiler and developed this part for
S;. as Taylor, making the young man
ss .M constitutional tendency toward in
'es'non entirely secondary.
y.. 80 be sure. he tried to devlop the
IN. e ). meme In his fortune teller as we'll.
mll.. nas Is not done clearly or success
N.Sx. II does not seem to Us that MI.
Dlsin ners has made his intent nearly
sssrs enough, but there is at least a
n soward a good play.
h..s Sne other respect injustice has
sssr r oone to the playwright. Almost
Nirk.0 70 enjoyed the hrst act of "One
act which moved along easily and