The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-23
When We're Young
Has Henry Hull
in WaStrel Role
Another Play of Youth With
Miss Alma Tell in Cinder-
ella Like Part.

when We Are Young. which the
Broadhurst Theatre, is another play
dealing with the theme of youth in New
York. which. recently represented al
various apochs of our municipal history
appears to make a special appeal to the
public to-day. The action of the new
drama by Kate L. McLaurin takes place al
the present time. It's hero is the popular
Henry Huh, who is once more a wastrel
the last of an impoverished family. This
hero. like others that Mr.. Huh has incar-
mated in II past, has not only wasted
his substance, but is entirely willing
under the Rgis OF the right young
woman. to fight his way back to decency
OF course the right young woman Is
there In the blooming person of Miss
Alma Tell. Here the author family
sounds the Cinderella motive, for this
modest beauty has crept into the hero''
library to read his books. She has come
not out of the chimney corner but from
the little back hall room on the top floor
which modern Cinderellas have TO oc-
cupy in the place of the ashes of another
architectural period. Miss Rachel Croth
ers having already immortalized the
reform Of Mr.. Hull in a boarding house
the scene of the play last night was Q
mansion devoted 10 furnished rooms.>
Miss Crothers dealt with mealers while
Miss McLaurln's dramatis persona We're
in the main merely roomers.
But the new play did accomplish one
thing. 1t proved that the theatre Is
going to have in Mr.. Hull a very de-
icht n Of IL al.
ways more or less effective in his strenu
Gus scenes of remorse or his passionate
outbreaks of repentance. They are, Of
course, the least difficult in the equip
ment Of any player To act comedy witt
the necessary lightness of touch and the
pervading sense of humor is a unucf
higher achievement than the big bow
wow of melodrama. Mr. Hull always
encouraged his admirers to believe that
he would some day take a high place
as a comedian.
lnstinctively he always rebellec
against being a matinee hero even ir
his most sentimental episodes Last nigh
he exhibited in every important scene
the same sense of humor and the more
facile technique which enabled him t.
make it fully effective. Now he Is only
a short way on the road which will carry
him far. Already he suggests often Johr
Barrymore in his youthful comedy days
Mr. Hull has learned TO control his voice
to some extent But his complete artis-
tic development is of course a matter Of
the future.
II takes a sense of humor to play the
hero Of When We Are Young" Indeed
humor must be Indispensable TO any
actor who has an important part in the
performance of that drama. George
81 h.
would have driven any young massa' &c
drink by sticking about at all hours
must have had no humor whatever or q
complete ability TO suppress 1t. At all
events. he was as a sandy hill TO the
feet of the aged
Miss Tell smiled alluringly and looked
so comfortable that any admirer would
have gone out TO clean up the snow wher
she told him 10 start work In that way
She was a Cinderella to be obeyed. How
ever the wicked stepsisters may have
treated her. she was not starved.