Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-05-31
WALKERS ARTISTRY SEEN IN .SMILIN' THROUGH
EngisNs-Snappy Vaudeville Offered

There's touch of a producing genius
reflected in "Smilin Through, which is
so sweet and satisfying that one wishes
that nothing will ever interfere with the
hand that directed the play on view at
the Murat this week.
1t seems to me that Mr.. Stuart Walker
has enhaled the delicate perfume Of TO
nance and of love; has grasped the
weird significance of ghosts, and has
dreamed in the magic rays Of the moon
beams and basked in the warmth of the
sunshine until he has absorbed the
beauty of every situation in this charm
ing fantasy by Allan Langdon Martin.
An understanding of love, of romance,
Of ghosts and even Of hate is needed to
create the beautiful stage picture which
"Smilin Through demands. l am sure
that Miss Jane Cowl, who created the
roles played by Miss Blanche Yurka in
the Walker production, would have Joined
In the demonstration of approval which
a big audience gave in an unrestrained
manner Of the artistry of Mr.. Walker
in producing this play.
The outstanding triumph Of Mr.. Walker
is that in creating a garden set used
during the entire play of such charming
beauty that not a spoken word was neces-
l believe that l am speaking in con
servative manner when 1 state that the
set used for "Smilin Through" is the
heaviest and biggest ever used IN I
stock production in this city. The main
set is d beautiful garden with a house
in the background with quaint and
magic gate leading out into the real
world and an iron gate which leads one
into the world of friendship. Moon
light plays upon this garden and the
ghosts of departed loved ones penetrate
its sacred precincts Even tragedy was
enacted in this beauty spot fifty years
before the play started.
The tragedy referred to was the
murder Of Moonyeen Clare on her bridal
night at the hands Of jeremiah Wayne,
rejected sutton. MOonyean dies in the
arms Of John Carteret when he slips the
wedding ring on the finger OF Moonyeen
as her spirit fits out Of the garden.
For fifty years John Carteret hated the
name Of Wayne and during that length
of time he played checkers with DR..
Owen Harding, who was to be best man
at the wedding fifty years ago. Car
teret interest ceDtered on his niece, who
lived in his household. When he learned
that Kathleen Dunganron, his niece, was
in love with Kenneth Wayne, the son OF
the man who killed Moonyeen. his hate
for the Waynes prevents the marriage OF
his niece TO Kenneth.
Not until the spirit Of Moonyeen drives
the hate out Of his heart that his spirit
meets the spirit Of Moouyeen. And as
the last curtain descends the niece and
Kenn tn are building dreams Of future
happiness in this world. All IA well,
both in the real world, as well as in the
spirit world.
"Smilin' Through" is a delightful ad-
venture in the theater and I have no hes
itation IN ste ting that it is Mr.. Walkers
browning achievement in stock produc-
ton In indianapolis, both from stand
east viewpoint
Take look at TIE cast Mt Walker
has provided for "Smilin' Through"
which is as follows:
THE PROLoG.
The mother Of the boy Judith Lowry
The mother Of the girl. Regina Wallace
THE PLAY.
John Carteret .............M Mckay Norris
Or. owen Harding $500. George Somnes
Ellen ............ 90. Elizabeth Patterson
Kathleen Dupgannon Blanche Yurka
Willie Ainley ...--...-.-.--.. John Nray
Kenneth Wayne .....--..-..G George Gaul
Nary Glare Regina Wallace
Jeremiah Wayne ....-..-.... George Gaul
Moonyeen Glare. Blanche Yurka
would consider myaelf guilty of
grand larceny IL l failed to state here
and now that a more capable company
has never been assembled under one ban
ner than the cast which Mr.. Walker has
obtained for this plny.
Blanch Yurka as Kathleen and also
as the ghost" or spirit Of Moonysen
Glare has given Indianapolis proof Of her
splendid gifts as one Of the leading emo
tional actresses on the stage today. How
splendidly does she play upon the heart
strings Of your own heart IN the last
act Of the play when she fears that her
four years Of waiting for Kenneth has
been In vain. What a picture Of lowell
ness is Miss Yurka In her wedding gown
in the second act. Her work In the sec
ond act as well as during the entire play
Is Of the sort which one likes to rsmem-
Der. 1t is no use to rave" further over
the work Of Miss Yurka. Go to the
Murat this week, see her, weep with her
and love her.
Mckay Norris, who made his first an
pearance this season, as did Miss Yurka.
plays two roles which he handles In
masterful manner. The role. or rather
both roles, is played with the proper
restraint and dignity. ! believe that the
work of M Morris In this play win be
the role which theater- goers Of this citv
will prefer to gee him enact season after
season. Mr.. George Gaul plays two
roles. Please remember l am speaking
Of George Gaul-that name meaDs com
plete satisfaction. Miss Wallace has two
roles and there is no fault to find with
her work
Haven't time nor space to speal. Of the
others. l must say that Mr.. George
Somnes has never been seen at better
advantage than as DR.. Harding.
Opinion: II you desire to boost In