The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-11-17
By Caryl Keene.

play has lavish stage settings.tbril-
liant costumes and superb photog-
raphy l grow Suspicious. l wonder
what weakness Ia the star or what
poverty in the story the prv4ucer
Is covering with this expense OF,
gold. paint and labor. II was with
this attitude that l saw THE Rest
less Sex" q much-heralded Cosmo-
politsn production. at Loew's Co
lumbia. l knew that there was a
brilliant story by Robert w. Cham
bers, some marvellous settings by
Joseph Urban, master OF stage in
vesture: gowns by Erie, the cos
tune creator for the famous Foiles
Bergere of Paris. II seemed. on ad-
vance thought. that there was not
much chance for the star In this
collection of art, gold and music.
But Marion Davies disappointed
me. II a delightful surprise can be
called disappointment. The story
was there In all It's briiiiance,. the
work of Urban was there in tho
glorious Ball Of the Gods" episode
thousand beautiful girls and
handsome men were there as were
gorgeous gowns and wonderful
music. But standing out above
them ALL like a gem IN 4 perfect
setting. was the btoutifui young
Cosmopolitan star. II seemed as II
all the labors OF author, designer
and composer had been used for
once as they shouid--to draw at
tention to the remarkable young
woman whose heart was telling "A
tale as delightful as Il was Unusual
and thrilling. r.
feel sort of ashamed to admit
that II IL had not been for the nd
refreshments an stories ! had read
on the subject. ] probably should
have overlooked the details OF stage
settings, scenery, costumes and
music. From the moment little
Stephanie Cleland--she IL Little
Steve" throughout the play--en-
tered upon the scene l lost interest
in everything except the love story.
There were few moments OF intro
duction. just as we have II in life
and we knew the characters.
Then the thrills begin.
MISS DAVIES IN STELLAR ROLE.
Steve, played by Marion Davies.
was the adopted daughter of a
millionaire widower. John Cleland,
whom she worships and calls
brother" IT seems that at no time
does she realize that her. love for
him Is not sisterly. She Is too
young, too unschooIed in the ways
of life and emotion, TO interpret
her own heart. Her father-he has
been n father to her--dies and
leaves money for her in the hands
Of his attorney. chiisrset r Girls
mer. ~ o. .
In his last letter to his two chill
dren. John Cleland instructs his
son to 60 to Paris for two years
study. and little Steve. now grown.
to glorious young womanhood. to
take a nurses training II she still
finds herself restless. Both obey
the instructions. Steve finishes her
work in the hospitals and finds that
her thirst for excitement. adventure
the desire to know everything
Is stronger than ever. She becomes
the boon companion Of Oswald
Grismer, the young sculptor And
son OF her guardian-lawyer, and
chum Of her brother. Oswald loves
her and is soon drawn into the
whirl of excitement through Steve's
hunger for novelty. From brilliant
studio entertainments to fast auto
mobile rides--lifc for the t,co Is
one whirl OF madness. Yet. through
nocent, restless. pulsating being
that does not realizes what life
means.
On one OF the wild rides through
the country an accident, which al