The New York herald., 1921-11-13
Frank Discussion of Eter-
nal Triangle and It's Con-
sequences Is Made.
FINALE is. UNEXPECTED
Critics Wonder if Paris Is
Ready for Renewal Of Psyche
logical Drama.
Special Cable to THE New YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1891. bv THE New YORK HERALD

speciu, Gable to THE New YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1891, bU THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Nov. 12.
Another Guitry success this week
has given Paris, blase after senseless
revues and tiresome color effects.
something new to think about by
bringing up in "Jacqueline" the old
problem Of what penalty should be
meted out to infidelity and whether
the unwritten law is justified.
1t has been more than a year since
thinking Parisians were startled by the
return Of problem dramas. and it was
to be expected the Guitrys-Lucien and
Sacha and their inseparable compan-
ion, Yvonne Printemps-would bend
all their efforts to find startling We
hicle for their talents. Whether the
world will be satisfied with their solu-
ton of the triangle" dilemma remains
to be seen. for with the French courts
oscillating on the subject and Ameri-
can courts showing less inclination to
accept the "unwritten law" the Gull
trys have shown the utmost daring.
Critics like De Waleffe insist the Gui-
trys have performed an invaluable SER
vice to the worlds morals by discuss
ing the problem frankly, and suggest
that all husbands see the production,
which is certain to prevent assassi-
nations in the future"
An Unexpected Ending.
Jacuueline herself does not appear
on the stage. In this the Guitrys have
merely aided their own liking for small
casts, their greatest successes invariably
having three acts and there seldom
being more than five in the cast
JdcqueIine, however, Is before the
audience throughout every scene. for the
whole action centres upon her guilty re-
latons with the husband of her mur-
deress.
Ordinarily It is the husband who ap-
plies the unwritten law, but to the Guitrys
this provides no dramatic interest for a
Partisan audience. The problem be-
comes one of whether infidelty can be
forgiven, so as to leave the crime of
Staying, murder calling for blood re-
venge.
1t is CHASTITY subject. the discussion
Of which would shock the average
American audience, but the Guitrys
carry 1t with the utmost finesse to an
unexpected ending. The whole argu-
Of infidelity Is presented. Jesus's admoni-
tion, He that is without sin among you.
let him first cast a stone at her." Is
treated as a philosophic premise.
The French courts are only allowed to
impose fine OF 25 francs for the crime
itself, while juries may acquit husband
who slays faithless wife or seducer.
How to bring all these to n reasonable
coincidence Is the question with the play
wright.
Desire for Revenge.
ydcqueline's husband at first shows
an ,inceasing rage at the discovery that
he had been betrayed by the woman who
has been murdered. To him this out
weighs all other considerations, and he
pleads so eloquently for the release Of
his wife's assassin that she Is acquitted.
A few months pass and the audience Is
shown another glimpse of the tragedy.
Jrcqneline's husband, after soberer re-
Election, and mindful of his wife's other
qualities, has returned to Christian prin-
ciples and forgives her infidelity, while
simultaneously there develops In his
heart an overwhelming desire for re-
Ntnke, Hul dSdlnhI INC WIZ hah
tempted Jdcqueline, for her pardon
extends to him as well, but against the
woman who had slain her. Thus, in
avenging Jdcqehne's murder. her
husband reverses HIS earlier thesis of the
unwritten laws justifability.
1t now remains to be seen II Paris is
ready for a return of psychological
dramas based OH incidents which are
likely to bring poignant regrets to many
theatregoers. especially In city which
has had for so long the reputation of
being the wlckedest in the world. The
critics predict immediate popularity for
the Guitrys' production. but are un-
willing to prophesy how It's successors
will be received as the whole virtue of
the psychological problem play lies in
the authors turning the situation deftly
and quickly at the proper moment into a
situation OF human interest. and few
, writer's of problem dramas before the
war we're able to accomplish this with
the tact Guitry seems to have discov-
cred.