New-York tribune., 1921-01-04
Grant Mitchell i'm
Another Knockout
AS 1.-THE Champion
Louden- Thomas Farce Opens
at Longacre and Proves
Instant Hit: Ann Andrews
5 Featured LII Good Cast
THE CAST:

..|.
Mary Burroughs ............. RosallnA irul}er
John PurrOuc Art hur Elliott
George Burroughs ......... Fra nix Wester'pr
David Burroughs ...... .... Gerald ilanler
Lady Elizabeth Cation. ......Ann Anlrevs &
Lord Brockin eton ........ Gordon Burhv
William Burroughs ......,..ci Grant Mitchell
Antoirette .................. Doslree StorNpel
simmons .....,........... Robert Williamson
Mr.. Mooney. ............. Robert Leo Alien
Nv Coykendali ............ Harold Howard
Earl of Chufleig gh ........ Horace Cooper
Marquis of Harroveen Epher, Avrton
Saron Halloway .,..,..... Henry Warwick
Frank Smith. ,,.-...... ....... Tom Williams
1t is no usc to drht back the words.
They arc importunatc in their dc
mand for utte-ancc So, waving I'M
munity, let it be said that "The Cham
pion' registered knockout at the
Longacre Theater last night.
Grant Mitchell has a new part that
fits him as perfectly as when he made
friends with fame in "A Tailor-Madc
Man And Ann Andrews is set in a
picture where she displays all those
sfaces Of person and manner that were
so admirably bestowed on The Hot
tontot.' She wears the smaytest sort
oi riding hahit ana two charming
dinner-goWns quite becoming hor char
acter as Lady Elizabeth Cation, a para
con OF taste and LADY OF high degree.
Without exception the picce is excel
lcnt.y acted.
Also there IS an eloquent stage set
ting which discourses on how 4 windsor
cnair and d square piano may dwell in
amity under the mural frown Of noble
ancestors.
THE Champion" is farcical comedy
in three acts by Thomas Louden and 4.
h. Thomas. The story. laid in an Eng
hSh country town, revo.Ves around the
reception accorded tho nrodiga. son
Of a wealthy family struggling 10 gain
the fringes OF good society. when
Gabriel blows his tvumret.' sa,s one of
the characters. describing the com
munity. the sleeDers of kNotley viii
surely regard it as an impertinencc."
That's how conservative Nnotley is.
After fifteen years in the United
States William Burroughs rcvisits
AnQtley. only 10 lie discovered bv a
local sport as GuNboat William. the
lightweight champion Of the world It's
bitter blow to the elder Burroughs.
the social asrirant: to David. the youne
curate. who IS going to be Bishop Of
London some day; to George. an cidcr
brotAor who is running for ParIia-
ment and to Lady Elizabeth. thor
oughbred, who is coaching the family
Tor the social FutuIlty. 81 The prcdicai
is shown the door
Into this scene Of domestic abase.
mcn1 hops the Earl cf Chufieigh, fol-
lowed By tne Marquis Of HarroweeN.
the Baron Holloway. the Mayor Of
Knotley, delegation Of the town
council. an assortment Of good sports
wno nave heard that their follow
townsman is worlds champion
knotl7Y sees the chance 10 get on the
map of England. The ncignborhood
nobility contend for the honor Of en-
tcrtaining the banishcd champion. A.
The banquct"to GUnboa. William if is
learned with cha-rin that he has be
come an American citizen. but the
hosts are good fellows and toast the
United States Of America. Then they
learn that Gunboat quit the ring whom
ne made his pile. became corporation
aver and a membor OF Congress from
Connecticut. "And Connecticut is one
Of our best stater." cxplains William.
She didn't. ratify the prohibition
am mendmcnt."
The transition from shame to pri1o
IN tac possession Of champion puSi-
list is delightfully."- managed By Arthur
Elliott in the role Of the explosive old
Burroughs. Lucy Beaumont PLAYS tho
dotnc mother in sympathetic fashion
and RosaliNd Full-r is winsome and
sprightly figure as the young sister.
Tho authors stuffed the piece libcralv
with the eagles plumage, tinctured
with Cohanesque patriotism, which
Mr.. Mitchell spread with gusto tbat
tickled the first night audience. Tho
gentle English folk arc the sort that
populate many farce bewildcred bv
the torrent of American slang and ,
little weak on the humorous side