Evening star., 1919-08-19
ADJUSTMENTS
NEW NATIONAL-"Civilian
Clothes"

| NiNiidu OiolHeS, COMEDY Dy
Thompson Buchanan, which was pre-
| sented by Oliver Morosco at the New
National Theater last evening, is
really delightful in spots, as one
| might say who was not entirely con-
| vinced that it is entirely justifable.
| 1t has its faults. but a large and very
generous audience manifested fire.
quent evidence of thorough enjoy
ment, and it may be that the fault
finder is captious. The last act seems
too long. That seems certain.
The playwright starts with theme
based upon the notion that girls even
the best of them. will fall for the fell
low In military garb, regardless of
other things; and that, after all. the
man who is compelled to wear civilian
clothes has not fair chance in the
world with the lucky chap who has
the pull to win a commission. The
triangle with which to build up the
entertainment along these lines con-
sists of Florence Lanham, a refined
and romantic daughter of one of the
first families of Louisville, KY; Sam
McGinnis. son of an old shoemaker of
Racine. Wis. who, being a civil en-
gineer also, had won a captains COM
mission in the A. E. F. and had made
good by also winning the D. S. c.
decoration along with several cita-
wright. next door neighbor to Flor
ence in Louisville, whom she had
wanted to marry before he went to
the war and who wanted to marry her
after he came back. Florence, how
ever, did not feel the same toward
Billy, because McGinnis had boxed
her ears in France for insisting upon
encroaching too closely upon the ac-
tivities of the firing line, serving hot
chocolate. after the general had
ordered her to the rear. That box on
the ear aroused her admiration, and
during an intermission she married
McGinnis and lived in heaven on a
honeymoon of one week, before he
proceeded to the Argonne
To shorten long story-the war
Is over: Florence has returned to her
home believing McGinnis was killed
In battle, and Billy has renewed his
attentions. along with a general and
other gentlemen. when McGinnis re-
turns in civilian Clothes. Florence is
not glad. Even the distinguished
service cross does not move her. Her
dream dissolves when she gets
glimpse Of the civilian clothes and
yellow shoes. Then. as dramatists
VIII have it, the pot begins to boil.
vampire appears. who tells the
audience all about the vampire busi-
ness with a frankness that leaves no
possibility for doubt. McGinnis be-
comes butler in Florence's home.
against her protest, to watch over
his own. He makes fools of her ad-
mirers and the poor girl finally
elopes to New Orleans with Billy.
where. like the chorus in the musical
MN n Il
denouement is sprung. Withal. that
last act really is too long.
The play offers many moments Of
delightful entertainment and antici-
patton. Some of the dialogue SPAR
kles. Sometimes the action lags es-
ertheless. does not seem as long as
the last act. Olive Tell is a pure
delight as Florence, and it is not her
fault that Florence succumbed when
her ears were boxed, or fell for
the vampire method of ultimately
man like. was desperately in earnest
in his love for her and his desire
to cure her of snobbery. Thurston
Hall was good as McGinnis, except
for his brogue. 1t did not seem neces-
sary. even In an rish-American. The
vampire lady also played her role
to the limit, and again. If criticism
should be aimed at her. it must be
admitted the Playwright is the one
to blame. Nor should. it be over
looked that, true to present-day form.
the note Of true democracy was made
to ring clearly. If only Mr.. Buchanan
would consent to work just a little
longer on the play, it is believed he
would evolve thoroughly delightful
result He really must revise the
vampire part. except, possibly. for
New York. 1t is like too much ia
basco in the soup for Washington.