Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-15
GEE! HOW INDIANAPOLIS LOVES GREGORY KELLY


A new play is a good deal like new
born babe.
At times the youngster feebly kicks up
its little feet, attempts to gaze into space,
bowls a wee bit and then Eliminates the
entire room with the sunshine Of its
smile.
Such is Dudley" a new stage child, who
was born last night at English's. The
parents are George S. Kaufman and
Marc Connolly. Like all parents they are
naturally proud of the latest born.
Let us say in perfect frankness that
the big audience last night applauded
and liked "Dulcy," because Gregory
Kelly was in the cast. The house was
capacity because it was Gregory Kelly
night" and the audience became down
right peeved because some one or some
thing prevented Gregory Kelly personally
taking some Of the important curtains by
himself Even when the orchestra at
tempted to play following the Kelly ova-
ton at the close of the second act, the
audience continued the riot for many min
utes Miss Lynn FOntanne shared some
of the curtains with MT. Kelly, but the
audience wanted Kelly last night, but
they got more Of Miss Fontanne.
We had the same kind Of q demonstra-
ton for Kelly when Clarence" was first
presented here. The audience on that
occasion kept at 1t until Kelly and his
wife appeared hand in hand before the
curtain. 1t seems to me that little
showmanship could be used back stage
on an opening night. 1 am not blaming
any one for bad display of Judgment
last night, but this 1 do know-many
people left EngIish's last night somewhat
'peeved" and out of sorts because 1t APP
peared Kelly did not get a square deal
Let it be said right now that Kelly
deserved the big ovation last night. Again
I repeat-IndianapOlis loves Gregory
Kelly. Cheer up, it will not be long be-
fore Kelly will head his own stock com
pany at English's. Just watch that first
night.
After getting that out Of my system,
I will discuss "Dulcy" The central
figure Of this comedy is Dulcinea. the
wife Of Gordon Smith. Miss Lynn Fon-
tame has been given the gigantic task
OF creating Dulcy, who is the chatterbox
Of the ages. She talks all the time-idle
talk, and 1t gets everybody in bad, even
herself and her husband.
Dulcy invites 10 her country home
Schuyler Van Dyck, who IS supposed to
be wealthy and a lady killer; c. Roger
Forbes, a rich man, with whom Dulcy's
husband desires to form a business part
nership; Mrs. Forbes and her daughter,
Angela. and Vincent Leach, a silly
Drained writer OF stories for the movies.
1t is far from a merry party as Dulcy
aids Mrs. Forbes to have an affair
with Van Dyck; Angela falls for Leach;
the business deal gets all mixed up; some
hoAo M Ia
writer's and decides to leave the house
party in his machine, but his daughter
and the movie writer were using the car
for what we a Il thought was ar elopement.
Gregory Kelly as William Parker, Dulcy's
brother. prevented the elopment by hav-
ing the movie writer get out Of the car to
see If a rear light was working and then
by applying the gas, speed away and
Kelly marries Angela. Another character
which fits into the picture is that OF Tom
Sterrett, an advertising engineer, aud
played by Elliott Nugent, who was a
member of the Stuart Walker Company
last summer A butler named Henry and
played very well by Harry LilltOrd, In
jects some action into the comedy
"Dulcy'' is the champion talker Of the
stage. She talks about everything and
anything at the wrong time. She means
TO harm, poor, dear. but she thinks
without thinking. Her tactics are best
explained when she utters Let US have
breakfast before our grapefruit gets
cold" Everything TO Dulcy is wonder
full" and she loves classical music II
she holds in her lap a ten-pound box Of
candy.
To some this character Dulcy win be
a bore, as most Hoosier people Ike their
women with at least a grain Of sense.
Others who dote over intellectual come
dies viii find much meat Of this sort.
Miss Fontanne makes Dulcy the feather
Drained champion woman talker Of the
stage. She is a player with a sure touch.
1t seems to me that there is too much
Dulcy conversation in the first act and
in the second act it is scattered about
100 much
Mr.. Kelly hasn't the opportunities al
William Parker as be did IN Clarence"
In "Dulcy" everything he says or does
Eliminates the stage Ike a diamond In
the dark. His Willie" in this new play
gives him q chance to wear a dress suit
snd even smoke a wee bit. He is sim
the youngster OF the family but does not
have the big opportunities he had in
Clarence" Everything he did last night
had that sure Kelly touch. Yes. and
the Kelly smile is there also. This man
Kelly can smile and say more IN a smile
than most actors can in a dozen printed
pages.
One Of the real character gems Of the
comedy is the work done by Wallis
Clark as C. Roger Forbes and the work
of John Wesley as Gordon Smith is ef-
fechvely done. The remainder of the
ca ST is ade0uate