New-York tribune., 1920-08-31

Wiii'h'n HarT'S Jr at lho ~'s''"'
Gilbert Jones .......... Frank Conroy
Henry Smith. ........... James A. Devine
Morgan Peil Fred l.. Tiden
Red Giddings ........... John Harrington
Jasper Hardy .-....... Wilson Reylnoidss az
Pancho Lopez .........-.. Holbrook Bum
Pedro .............,... Herbert Haywood
Alvarado i"uan"o CHIEF White Hawk
Felipe .............. Indian Joe
4 Mexican Cook. 1ch Frank s1sobe,so bxoy
Blake .................. James 3. Lenhart
A new Ambassador from Mexico ar
rived in New York last evening and at
once established friendly relations with
as large section of the American
public as could be crowded into the
Comedy Theater. The only credentials
of Pancho Lopez, "The Bad Man." are
bestowed by Holbrook Blinn, Porter
Emerson Browne and William Harris
jr.. but they were deemed sufficient.
Lopez is a new sort of bad man and
will multiply friends by theaterfuls.
Those who have watchfully waited for
Mr.. Brownies commentary on the
Mexican border situation will hardly
grudge the waiting.
Mr.. Browne, calls his play a satlrieaI
comedy. Perhaps this end of August
made him shy of a complete descrip-
ton. Surely & killing. although neccs
sary and even pleasurable, makes de-
feasancc of comedy. But Holbrook
Blinn as Lopez does such jaunty bit
there is no disposition to annul the
comedy.
Not Unlike "Blue Bonnet"
"The Bad Man" is in more heroic vein
than "Blue Bonnet" that other play of
the Mexican border which is at the
Princess Thcater, just two whoops and
holler from the Comedy. But they
have something in common.
In "Bluc Bonnet" Ernest Truck plays
the part of cowboy without a gun or
a single hoof of stock, but with a fine
determination to keep up the old tradi
tions Of the cattle country of south
west Texas. In "The Bad MAN." Hol-
brook Blinn, has all the appurtenances
of a genuine Chihuahua bandit, but he
is bound by loyalty as by chains, and
by the frontier tradition Of fair play
and, in addition, he has the heart of
Santa Claus.
Pancho Lopez goes a-raiding into
ranch which is in the charge of an
invalid man and an unhappy married
couple who are visitors. Lopez decides
to take the woman for himself, but
makes timely discovery that the ranch
belongs to Gilbert Jones, the friend
who had saved his life and who fur
thermore is in love with the woman
Thereupon the benevolent bandit re-
lnquishes the woman, robs a bank and
pays off the mortgage on the ranch and
returns in time to shoot the husband
to save Jones's life. And then as the
young Jones makes an attempt at
thanks. Lopez sweeps the floor with
his hat in grand bow. at is | who
must thank you," the bandit SAYS.
Here is your quiet home; you have
given me the most peaceful day of
my life"
Thrusts at Conventions
Satire there is in plenty, chiefly
covert satire on border outlawry. But
there are some keener thrusts at con-
ventions and mock respect for law.
And still other strokes with a rapier
rather dulled by use, as when the hus-
band protests being killed, saying he
IS an American citizen. eve kill lots
of Americans" rctorts Lopez. "Your
government watchfully watts and when
ever we kill a new lot you send us
polite note The audience immensely
pleased, applaudcd until Mr.. Browne
took bashful curtain call.
Mr.. Holbrook is a dashing, though
philosophic, bandit, and his perform
ance gets the applause of the bandit
that Is latent in the best of men. The
stage settn gin the adobe ranch house
with Mojavc blankets, pottery and bas-
kerry, with glimpse of desert back
ground, is all it should be- The star
has excellent support throughout. Next
to him the most general approval went
to James A. Devine, the tes.y Invalid
uncle of Jones, who wheeled wicked
chair" Merely to mention the names
of Frances Carson, Fred E. Tiden and
Frank Conroy indicates the sufficiency
of the supporting cast