New-York tribune., 1920-02-24
By Haywood Broun

Dy IlcyWCOQ DrOun
To say, "Things like that don't hap
pen in America" whenever a propa-
ganda play from any other land is
produced here is reaction so preva-
lent and so indefensible that we wish
to admit at the outset that the funda-
mental complaint which Brieux brings
against French law in his LA Robe
Rouge" holds true of American law,
and probably of Patagonian law as
we'll. Certainly America is in no po-
sltlon to thrust aside as irrelevant the
motto Rigorous law is often rigorous
injustice" which is printed at the head
of the program Of "The Letter of the
Law" the adapted title of the English
version of Brieux's play produced at
the Criterion Theater yesterday after
noon. But Brieux is interested not
only In general principle. but in GER
tam very definite and specific reforms
in the practice of the French law
courts, and some Of these are SO for
elgn as to be not really ineligible to
an American audience Indeed. the
play is written on the assumption that
its hearers know the scheme of the
administration Of justice which Breux
attacks and no exposition is wasted
on this theme. Accordingly, much of
the detail of "The Letter of the Law
is puzzling.
Fortunately, the play rises frequently
above the boundaries of parish or ma
ton, and at such times it is often en-
crossing and thrilling drama. The sec
ond act in particular is worth almost
al the courtroom scenes which we get
here III any one season. The rest is
much less effective. The play serves
to bring Lionel Barrymore back to New
York. Curiously enough, he has chosen
play in which the best role is written
for woman. His own part is interest
ing, but it does not offer great possi-
blIltles, nor is his great performance,
although in many respects engross;ng.
The part of Yanetta falls to Doris Ran
Kin, and while it is only fair to report
that her scene at the end Of the second
act aroused tumultuous applause, we
think she falls considerably short of
the possibilities of the role. 1t is not
a particularly subtle or battling role,
but 1t requires in one big scene a tor
rental outburst Of violent emotion In
TINS scene peasant woman, who has
smouldered throughout the greater part
OF the act bursts into sudden fame
of rage which ought to be terrifying
IN its primitive violence. Miss Rankin
gives an intelligent and forceful per-
formance, which would be good deal
TO say OF any performance if it were
not Tor the fact that no green hill in
tne world, however earnest its inten-
tlons, Will ever become volcano by the
exercise of forceful intelligence.
Accordingly, Lionel Barrymore is able
to make the role Of Mouzon assume an
Importance which probably was not in
the mind Of the dramatist 1t viii not
be remembered, we think, among his
great performances. If the phrase did
not demand definition and argument we
would like to say that to us Lionel
barrymore has always seemed essen
TALLY a "character actor" However,
since we don't know exactly what it
means, we won't say it. Neverthe- !
less, Lionel Barrymore is most salts
factory TO us when his personality is
refracted through the medium of some !
character somewhat alien to himself |
He takes on vivldness from Ner or
A Milton Shanks which he does not
possess IN his own right. Even such |
minor accessories as wig and costume
are rungs III his best performances /
We would prefer somewhat more
sardonic Mouzon. Although Barrymore |
made the long cross-eXaminauion scene
Of the second act enormously effective,
ne seemed TO US a less sinister person |
han BrieuX had in mind The hearth
ness which should be only device to
rap his victims was too genuine by ,
lalf. Mouzon ought to be more fn-
shed person than Mr.. Barrymore pre-
sents. 1t should be said in Mr. Barry
nore's favor that he brings to the part
far more humor than is inherent in the I
-ole. This may detract from the total
effect, but it is welcome and enlivening,
for all that Moreover, the perform
lnces is varied to 4 large degree. The .
actor manages to mark a full and COM
olete outline Of the person whom he is
playing. but then he forgets or IS un
ab lc to step inside the circle.
The play deals with the injustice and .
introduced into French .
.ourt procedure by the fact that every
official knows that his /
.hance of promotion depends very
argely on the number of convictions .
which he obtains. Unless we are mis-
aiken, in certain courts Of France the I
Judge has role which paruakes
omething of the function of public
prosecutor IS we'll as examining magi-
in America. The play
ellis the story of the tragedy brought
bout in the lives Of a peasant and
lis wife by the ordeals and revela-
ions of a murder trial, even though
10Th prisoners are finally acquitted
through the sudden inspiration of
egal servant to sacrifice his chance of
romotion to his sense of justice. This
ole is very ably acted by Russ Whytal.
there is also an impressive perform
nee by Charles White as the prisoner,
nd by James P. Hagen in the minor
ole of Mouzon's clerk.
St. John Ervine's Jane Clegg" will
re reviewed in The Tribune Of to-
lorroW.