The Washington herald., 1920-04-18
Ceramics Best Character

Barney Bernard, the original
"Abe" Potash, has never written
play In his life and has not the
slightest intention of embarking
on a career as an Independent
playwright; but he has helped
make plays His acute sense of
character, his rare gift Of histri-
onic expression and his intimate
understanding of Potash" have
made that character one of the
great stage creations of our time.
I've been brooding about 1t a
great deal of late" says Mr.. Ber-
nard. "and I've developed a great
desire to portray Sancho Panza. To
me Cervantes' great creation Is the
most marvellous comic character in
the world-greater than Falstaft.
I've seen Sancho in my mind to the
least detail of his makeup. I know
I could play him. OF course, Don
outxote is the hero of the book,
but Sancho Is by far the richer ma
terial for the stage-more human,
more varied. more understandable
from the footlight point Of view.
And what an easy matter to
adapt him for the theater! The
adapter need hardly write a line.
Island" and show him as the wis
est. the funniest and most original
governor the world ever saw. This
record Of Ssncho's government is,
to my mind. the best part of Ger
Vantes' book. 1t is unsurpassed
comedy material. I hope with all
my heart that 1 get a chance to
play II as soon as I am through
with His Honor. Abe Potash"
After much debate on the matter
Florenz Ziegfeld, jr., has convinced
Eddie Cantor that the best medicine
for his dramatic health is a contract
from the Ziegfeld apothecary shop
to be taken in large doses every
night for several years to come.
Mr.. Ziegfeld has promised that such
treatment will enable Cantor TO
wrestle with new musical revue
having no other purpose than the
sinister one Of starring the said Mr..
Cantor. The new revue will be built
around Cantor's eccentric person
ality and allow him ample oppor-
tunity to exercise both his tempera-
ment and his foolish feet. Gene
Buck will drop lyrical balm on the
tender spots of the performances
which indicate a real need for such
drastic treatment.
Laurette Taylor and her husband.
J. Hartley Manners, have sailed for
England. Miss Taylor will begin
an engagement at the Garrick The
ater in "One Night in Rome" on
April 26- II will be her first Lon
don appearance since her success
in -
ive years ago. She is taking sew
eral members Of ths original cast
Of her latest New York play with
her. and has added to the list Lynn
Fontanne, who was a member Of her
company for three seasons. Re-
gardless OF the success OF "one
Hight in Rome" in London, Miss
Taylor will return to America in
October to appear in a new play by
Mr.. Manners under his direction.
Incidentally. Mr.. Manners will make
his bow as a producing manager
with the London engagement of
"One Night in Rome"
From the offices Of the SeIznick
Pictures Corporation comes the an
nouncernent that the final scenes
of the Selznick-Willard Mack story,
"The Valley of Doubt" have been
completed at the Selznick Fort Lee
studio.
~The Valley of Doubt~ was writ
ten especially for Mr.. Selznick by
Mr.. Mack, the noted playwright.
and. according to report. it promises
to be one of the most powerful,
gripping dramas ever thrown on the
screen
the leading roles were played by
Thurston Hall. airline Pretty and
Anna Lehr. under the direction Of
Burton George. r. Cecil Smith
adapted the story for the screen.
Growing reckless from the lintoxi-
eating success achieved by The
Hottsntot." Sam H. Harris has gone
into the public market and bought
all the good will and everything
else attaching to Home Again" an
sHsir Of drama brought to . definite