The New York herald., 1921-01-09

George C. Tyler has placed so lavishly
before the eyes Of the youngsters. There
are traditions Of TIE comic musical plays
of the past which they will probably
encounter for the first time in their
lives. Take, for instance, the topical
song. That was a prop OF comic opera
in the sos which has already dis
appeared. The DicKie Bird" as Mr..
Wilson used TO sing it in the perform
ances of "Erminie." was n classic. He
had sung previously ''The Dotlet on the
T." which had been enormously ap-
preciated in it's day. But its glories
faded before the song about the little
bird up aloft.
De Wolf Hopper had his triumphs
in this special field. He was always
the funniest member of the quartet TO
sing "Read the Answer in the Stars"
however eminent the others happened
to be. And sometimes they happened to
be Digby Bell Mathilde Cottrelly ami
Marie Jansen, who were by way of
being well known and highly appre-
ciated by playgoers of their day. But
the topical song has gone to prove
anew the changing styles at least In
stage humor. Who sang the last topical
song in a Broadway theatre? What
comedian brought to an end this long
hallowed institution of all the. funny
plays with music?
This feature OF the comic opera OF
yesteryear Is to be enjoyed at the Park
Theatre now among the other delights
of the sumptuous and altogether sue
cessful revival that Mr.. Tyler has made
of the old classic. SO the visit OF the
spectator TO the theatre IL something
more than entertaining. I 1t is as well
educational.
Spreading Good News.
It may be true that nothing succeeds
like success. Is 1t equally true that
human nature In this old world is bet
ter than some Of the GROWERS would
have us believe and that good news
really travels faster than any other?
Samuel Harris produced "The Cham
pion" at the Longa ere Theatre. II was
an entirely unknown quantity. Grant
Mitchell is n deft and attractive young
actor who has rade his reputation as
a most amusing comedian in certain
line of parts expressed by quiet and
natural humor.
But the enterprise was n pig i'm a poke
to the theatregoer. Yet on Wednesday
night the Longacre Theatre was packed.
There was not n vacant seat A crowd
that kept In ircessant laughter had
learned all about the new play In that
short time. '"rhe Champion" seemed
to satisfy the audience with the COM
pleteness which points to as large a
number of delighted listeners for months
to come.
Who spread the news that the new
play was irresistibly funny? Who let
II be known that A. Il. Thomas and
Thomas Louden had contrived a series
OF scenes that show Mr.. Mitchelrs tall
entS at their best? Who started SO
promptly on its way the news that the
idea OF the young Englishman. who
has been a prize fighter here and then
returned to visit his conservative mid
die class family. was made a hero OF
by the aristocratic neighbors and finally
won a titled young beauty as his bride,
was most entcrtainingly carried out In
the play? The authors have never de-
ifberately arranged to set the audience
laughing that they do not succeed. The
play Is a farce, and their intent IL to
make their hearers amused at every
speech, SO IL may easily be seen what
a complete success '"The Champion" Is.