Evening star., 1920-05-27
ADJUSTMENTS
NATIONAL-"Scandals of 1920"

With the floodgates of lavish ex-
penditure thrown wide open, George
Whites Scandals of 1920" made its
debut last evening at the New Ma
tional Theater, after having been
ditional dress rehearsals. This mod
eIn musical revue, offered by perhaps
the most youthful of American pro-
ducers. may easily take first rank
among its kind. and he vocabulary
OF the circus press agent can right
fully be borrowed in the effort to
describe it. The Scandals of 1920.
ia gorgeous. glittering galaxy of
Etris. costumes. mountings and scenic
IN estiture, provided with a prodl-
S2ity of Monte Cristo proportions. 1t
IS 10 be regretted, however. that the
beauty of the whole is marred by the
quality of the comedy. However. that
IS defect possible of effacement. 1t
= i'll be recalled that when Mr.. White
forsook vaudeville and presented his
Scandals of 1919," about a year ago,
there were many rough spots. but
they were smoothed out, as was noted
on its return engagement this spring.
There is no reason to doubt that the
ironing process is necessary, and VIII
be applied to the scandals of 1920.
OF two acts and sixteen scenes the
revue is 4 succession of beautl1ul
stage pictures. every one of artistic
merit of an exceptionally high order.
There are novelties galore. The revue
opens with Pandora's Box. Four pages
rhythmically, and without musical ac-
compartment, introduce Sololst, COS
tune, Comedy, Surprise, Drama ana
Dance. as the latter appear successive
ly from the box. Then follows an air
ship cafe, Three Miles Up the 1liu-
sion being so complete that the audi
ence experiences the sensation OF go
ing up. Next is cactus scene, IN
Mexico" with some fascinating ban
dts. who have no difficulty in cap
turing some other bandits not so
fascinating. the captives being OF the
sterner sex. The conclusion OF the
first act is a presidential Election
an elaborate setting, with William
Jennings Bryan presiding. He dis-
poses of all candidates by the dis,
appearing route, through a trap, until
Mr.. Jazz appears and wins the uav'
Interspersed with the big scenes are
specialties by Ann Pennington. Lester
O'Keefe, Ethel Delmar, Lloyd Garrett'
La Sylphe. and others.
Mr. White saves his appearance ior
the finale of the revue, explaining
that he does so ''in order to give ms
actors a chance to make hit. he
announces that he is "the only dis-
certain well known dancers. Inc
sting of this apparent boast is re-
moved when, after his first imitation
a portion of the chorus appears. an
nounces it's admiration OF George
nerve" and goes on to say that those
of the 'merry-merry learned tnat
dance in half an hour. with twenls
minutes to spare" This is repeated
in connection with four other lmita
tions Mr.. White last evening pialnly
showed the effects. physically, OF tlre-
less efforts to bring the revue 70
the point of production, and the work
of the feminine contingent, especiaily
in the dancing line, proved that those
efforts were successful.
The curtain did not make its hnai de-
scent until after 12:30 o'clock. The re-
yue must, of course, be shortened III
time of presentation at least one hour.
The start in editing could properly be
made by eliminating at least 80 per cent
of the alleged comedy. the only tiresome
mart of the offering. 1t is utterly mex
cusabIe to introduce the name of Deity
and to resort to coarseness. vulgarity
and suggestion, with cleverness wnoly
lacking, in the effort to secure a laugh
from an intelligent audience. Inc COM
edy of the veteran George Bickel and
of Lester Allen. both OF last years
scandals" is clean and enjoyable. Most
of the newcomers are out OF place. How
ever, the production last evening was
.1he first time on any stage. IN
doubtedly Mr. White has already seen
the dark spots and will not risk marring
the deserved success of his stupendous
undertaking by permitting them to re-
main.