Evening star., 1920-06-01
ADJUSTMENTS
BELAsC0-"Call the Doctor. !"

1t can be stated without fear OF
much contradiction among theatrical
forecasters that the new Belasco play.
Call the Doctor" scored in the pri-
maries at the Belasco Theater last
contest next fall with abundant pres
! tige as q 'favorite SON" or, it might
| be better to say, as favorlte
daughter" for the play is a frank and
charming reflection of the femintstfc
tendencies which render the present
era one of extraordinary sociological
| interest.
Mr.. Belasco always carries big
midplot climax in his vest pocket IN
| the way Of q curtain speech. which
Washington audience invariably de-
speech SO far as he is personally con,
cerned. but at the same time canolo
and convincing tribute to some one
associated with the presentation IN
hand. In this case the tribute was
addressed to the author of the play,
Miss Jean Archibald. whose ingeni-
| ous1y woven story gave opportunity
| for some of the best acting that the
stage has seen.
The casting Of the play is one OF
| its most artistic features. Every role
seems entirely human and sympa-
thetic, pursuing the natural course OF
individual temperament, with never d
, dashing hero to be rewarded In the
I course of poetic justice, nor q mer- @ =
| cenary villain to be punished: Inc
moral Of the fable might easily Easily we pe
mortals be" The only figure of Sc
rene sanity is that of the doctor In
the case. q young woman, who has re-
solved to improve on the business
doctor" idea and carry a system OF I
scientific interference into domestie
affairs. The serenity is jeopardized
by a love affair of the doctors own
which terminates so happily that
unique and brilliant professional ca
reer is evidently brought to a close
with the kiss and embrace which enos
the pretty comedy. Whether the st pay
ness of physician of hearts Is another
matter. II it reminds the popular
sense of imitation that intimate oo-
servation and advice in domestic AZ
fairs represent a service too pie
to be extended without a aot noera sanaa, Zee.
the comedy may prove q most oenen.
Beecher falls the role of the doctor"
upon whose plausibility the entire
story depends. The study IN neart
and brain is presented with grace
nation of keen mentality with wom-
anly sentiment.
A most agreeable figure in the cast
is Philip Merivale, the lawyer, VINO
falls in love with the young woman
whose attitude toward tender passion
had hiterto been one of intellectual
and a trifie disdainful analysis. Mr.
Merivale has that touch Of personal =
ity which fastens interest. even In
moments when he is doing almost
nothing at all. It is Charlotte Wal. wal
her gracious and unaffected self to
a role which calls for little more
breadth of comedy than anything sne
has portrayed before. 1t is very
human part Miss Walker plays. and
scene was renewed many times In
the course of the evening. Another
favorite is William Norris. who lent
security to the role Of a rather light
minded husband, whose happiness is
hn1ss S.yeS By the nsStus 81
Wise. Mrs. Tom Wise appears as
the woman who says her husband
agrees with her so constantly that
it is almost like being alone" and,
with the assistance Of John Armory:
makes a realisation Of the worth OF
simple devotion a genial and crafty
ing episode. All sorts Of tempera--
ments are included in the list OF
cases under discussion. and uncalcu-
lating ardor is expressed with hdel-
Hungarian artist. Harriet Lane is
unobtrusively suhicient as the secre-
tary. Rea Martin. as the housemaid.
contributes a touch of whimsical in
terest as she reveals the eternal fem
mime in her telephone dialogues with
the hostler. whose devotion has
seemed to waver.
The play is not very searching in
it's philosophy, which may be one Of
the reasons the audience fingered
after the final curtain to applaud q
presentation in which sheer good
than
compensated for any absence Of sub
Stantial satire.