The Washington herald., 1921-03-21
Nat,onaI-sMary.,

Neakon ........-....>..'..' John xol:v
Cook ................... Harriet Norm
Quests.
Golden Girl. i.................. .nae Hennossy
whirlvind Willie. .hiehael Cunningham
roddling Tessie. ............. .cectis Andrea
Hotfoot Harry. Harry H. walters
Dancing Dora. hA1ei HATH
Softshoe' Jack. ............ JACK Kenyon
circling Laura. .....s.... Laura Weed
Twisting Jessica. ..............Je .Jessioa Wood
Since its debut here as The House
That Jack Built" George NJ Co.
hans top notch musical comedy has
been rechristened Mary" and re-
turns with the prestige of Broad
way approval that will keep the
original company active on the main
theatrical highway until summer in
tervenes.
while this company Is not the
original. n is in no sense of the
word inferior in principals, and in
some respects the newcomers sur
pass in talent those who first put
Mary" across as one of the sea-
sons smashing successes. The YER
satile Cohan has recruited a pranc-
ing chorus which radiates youth and
vigor, and backs them up with at
least four dancing couples gifted
with nimble extremities, SO that from
the standpoint of terpsichorean
activity the production outranks
anything glimpsed in musical COM
edy for many moons.
To Robinson Newbold. cast as
Castor Marceau," romantic
Frenchman eager for matrimony, is
intrusted the burden of furnishing
the essential comedy and his orig
inal methods were never adapted to
better purpose. In the chorus of
Anything You Want to Do, Dear"
he had his opportunity to reveal
talents as a mimic and 1t stood out
as one Of the high spots of the
evening.
Virginia O'Brien, the erstwhile
sweetheart of "Buddies" enacts the
title role which carries with it the
musical hit OF the production, The
Love Nest" Though this lifting
melody is now generally familiar.
II has lost little of its appeal with
repetition and was encored again
and again last night. Miss o'Brien
makes a captivating and competent
lover for Guy Robertson. an attrac-
tive Juvenile. Others who lend ex-
pert assistance in the development
of the appealing little plot are Oc-
tavia Broske, Frank Otto. Eva Puck,
Harold Wizard, Sherman Wade. Jack
Gerard, John Foley, and Harriet
NORM.
Lou Hirsch's melodies sound even
better than when they first caught
popular fancy and tom, Tom Tod
dle," Mary. Don't Fall Until You
See Them ALL" Wen Give a Won
derful Party" Waiting" Down on
That Old Kansas Farm" and That
May Have Satisfied Grandma"
earned their full share Of apprecia-
tion.
From the opening chorus to the
final curtain the watchword of
Mary" is speed, and the net resul:
Rpproximates the peppiest musical
comedy Of the season. The produc-
tion runs with a smoothness which
reflects the expert hand of the
Yankee Doodle comedian and the
only detail yet to be perfected Is to
have the cooling doves coo at just
the proper moment. But one can't
expect stage managers to be expert
bird trainers. The welcome given
Mary" on her return last night in
dicates the same prosperity during
the Washington stay that has greet
ed the production in other cities.
Moore's RiaIto-.A Perfect Crime,e
"A Perfect Crime" Allan Dwan's
second picture for Associated Pro-
ducers as presented at Moore's Ri
alto Theater yesterday, the showing
to continue throughout the week.
has a lying hero who provides some
of the best laughs of the season,
and. at the same time, ruffles ones
emotions to an alarming extent. The
picture is quite the most human of
any of the string of successes ac-
credited to the eminent producer.
Monte Blue has the role of Wally
Griggs, an awkward fellow, who de-
cides to rob the bank where he is
employed. The picture is rich in
humor and human interest. 1t is
Mr.. Dwan's recognized forte to do
the human thing in the most direct
way. and he does not disappoint in
"a Perfect Crime" The picture
brings tears to the eye as frequently
as 1t sends you into spasms of
laughter, and IL was this steady
onslaught on their emotions that
yesterdays capacity audience SEEM
ed to enjoy to the utmost.
The most amusing scene is where
the scraggly messenger suddenly
blossoms into a dashing fellow, who
invents the most pleasing lies. 1t
Is all part of the plan to rob the
bank, but it turns out differently
than he expected He becomes a
social lion. the author of a book on
amazing faxed travels and the cham
pion of a girl who is pursued by an
unscrupukous district attorney. The
surprise climax must really be seen
to be appreciated.
A uniformly good cast has been
selected to interpret the various
roles. Sacqueline Logan, another
recent addition from the Ziegfeld
beauty ranks to screen prominence.
is seen in the leading feminine role.
while Stanton Heck and Hardee
Kirkland, two very able actors, also
appear to advantage.
The production is replete with un-