New-York tribune., 1921-06-26
GalswortIlys
Latest Play
I'm London
Opinions Vary as TO Whether
'sIlie Family Man. Is OF
Authors Best: All Agree
That II Is A musing
From The Trsbuae's Earopeon s.,rsau


From The TYibane's Emropean BArsau
LONDON, June s. Nj Galsworthy's
latest play, THE Family Man." pro
auced at the Comedy Theater last
night, has been varioasly termed "very
Seod Galsworthy,' mot one of his mos,
suecesstur' and Enthusiastically Gals.
xorthyish,' but there is no doubt that
Il is immensely amusing,
John Builder (played by Norman Nc
yinneD is magistrate and councillor
MS provincial town and somewhat of
domestic tyrant. possessing a temper
as we'll as q wife and two grown.up
daughters, and it is the temper that IS
the original cause of all the trouble.
His eldest daughter, Athene, inherits
smsll legacy, and in a spirit of re-
volt she runs away from home, setting
I'D house st a studio the other end of
he town. Her father is furious and de-
tiares he never wants to see her again
He changes his mind, however. when
the Mayor and his secretary call, ask
Ing him to be the next Mayor. He de-
termines that first there must be order
In his own home and decides that
Athene must return. So sure is he that
Athene will do as she is told that he
sends his acceptance to the Mayor be-
fore calling on his daughter.
Mr.. Builder and his tirnid. wife ar
rive at Athene's studio, only to dis
cover that she is living with q young
sirman, Guy Herringhame, whom she
refuses to marry lest he should turn
out like her father. This is shock No.
], and John returns home in violent
rage to receive the second. Maud, his
other daughter, has just discovered
she has film face" ESQ she saysl.
and announces her intention of leaving
home Immediately to become a movie
heroine.
Everybody Walks Out
On Poor Father
Threats and exhibitions of temper
have no effect on her; she has already
secured an engagement Later in the
day the crushed and submissive wife
catches her French maid, Camille, sit
ting on her husbands knee Though this
is not John Builders fault), and this,
as she says, being the last straw, she
goes too. John has another paroxvsm
puts on his hat, picks up his stick and
follows. The family come together at
Athene's studio and John tries to per-
suade his wife to return. Maud inter
feres and her father strikes her with
his stick. She calls policeman and
gives John in charge. The policeman
is new and does not know "the most
dominant personality IN Beconbridge,
otherwise he might not have inter
fered. In the struggle that ensues the
policeman gets black eye and the
magistrate and councillor is removed
TO the police station and locked up for
the night.
The following morning he comes be-
fore his brother magistrates .(includ-
ing the mayor, who had only the pre-
vlous day waited so deferentially on
him) and is finally discharged with
caution. In the afternoon OF the same
day his daughters, feeling sorry for
their disgraced father, try to be
friendly. Athene has yielded to Guys
persuasIons and is going to be mar
ried. Maud has given up her dream
OF movie career and is going to stay
S1th her uncle for while. But they
Pre- rebuffed. The mayor calls. want
Pg Johns resignation, and there are
Fords-but Builder at last shakes
hsnds and throws up his candidature.
Sensation Carried in
All ths Newspapers
The French maid refuses to have
anything to do with him; newsboys,
shouting the sensation of his court
appearance (for an enterprising re-
porter had appeared on the scene, de-
spite every ones efforts to hush up
sh9 affair.", mock him through the open
window. The day draws in. Socially
ruined, no wife, nc daughters, not even
q French maid" John coo1s down and
begins to realize the error of his ways.
he shuts his study window, draws the
curtains and sits down in his arm
chair in front of the fire.
The butler enters with whisky ana
informs him that Mrs. Builder "has
come back" John says nothing. She
enters silently, puts curtain straight.
and proceeds to pour out whisky
toddy, handing it to him. John squeezes
her hand, and, still with no word
spoken, she takes up her knitting and
se''ies down IN her usual armchair on
@'s opposite side of the fireplace.
U,aVs Tho No.,u...