New-York tribune., 1921-02-27
Screen Revival of
East Lynne Makes
New Stage History

browse through old pIaybills aud rss
ords. For Mrs. Henry Woods meio.
drama has too long been literarr
and theatrical tradition not 70 hs,,
had an interesting history
Il, A play in which ladies have rev4t.,
lacbrymally not for years, but for gcs
erations, not only in the language -
The original, but in virtually svery
tongue, such a creation must necas
sarily have enlisted the talents ~
many artists and must at the SAM
time have been witnessed under m.
usual circumstances.
Mabel BalIin, wife OF the mursl
painter now lending his talents 70 ,Es
films, plays the heroine whose prob
lens while old are forever new. Tks
part is associated with the memory Of
Il dozen famous actresses, whose
of the stage Of America. Comparisors
are, Of course, impossible, but, thank
to the permanency Of a motion picture
the next Isabel Carlyle can see whr
Mabel Ballin did with the part. Mean.
while past glories Of East Lynnes
offer timely contemplation.
The piece first appeared Ia England
as novel, being one of thirty-seven
written by Mrs. Wood, then in the
heyday of her career as writer of nor-
ular tales. 1t was published in 1855
and at once surpassed all the author
previous books in its quick acceptance
by the public.
Mrs. Wood escaped critical censae.
as she had done before, by the strong
moral tone of her work. For East
Lynne was daring" in those days. Il
Is doubtful if any writer of her day Or
in later years made heroines pay the
price" with such relentless heaping OF
of retributive details. Isabel became
the supreme symbol OF obvious anguish.
remorse and atonement.
Small wonder then that the novel
every one was reading attracted the a;
tention of the theatrical manager Tne
author was induced to make drama
tization, or, what seems more likely,
lend her name to one; and the play was
first performed in London in 1852, with
the harvest of dollars it was TO garner
as yet undreamed Of.
What may be said to have been It's
first American representation occurred
in 1863 at NibIo's Garden, a fashion
able theater at Broadway and Prince
Street. Yet it was not quite the "East
Lynne" that audiences were later to
know so well, but version offered un
der the title of Edith, or the Earls
Daughter" Whether Matilda Heron
wished to forestall her rivals or could
not obtain the rights to the origina
create the part in America as had been
the case with Camille; and her posi-
ton as a foremost exponent OF emo
tional roles entitled her to exercise
her acumen.
A year later Lucille Western, famed
for her vigorous and dramatic Nancy
Skies in "Oliver Twist" came to
Niblo's in the real and unadulterated
East Lynne" Her success was in
Simultaneous, though her tenderness
and pathos could not approach the
more delicate art of Matilda Heron.
1t remained in her repertory for
more than twenty years, an engage
ment OF two weeks, then most uncom-
mon, being substantial evidence of
public favor. Indeed, so sure was Lu.
cille Western of her success in the
play that she formulated shrewd con-
tract before its premier. The star de-
manded one-half the gross receipts if
they exceeded $700 night, and $3.50
if they were less. During three weekE'
phenomenal run East Lynne" never
descended to the level of $500. This
was fifty-eight years ago
While Matilda Heron (whose daugh-
ter, by the way, is Mrs. Henry Miller
and Lucille Western enthralled the
larger centers with their respective
versions of the play it remained FOR
another actress to take it TO out-of
the way cities Size did for it then what
the Hodkinson corporation, as dis
tributers of the picture, are to do for
it now
Fourteen years after the plays first
thrilling performances Ada Gray made
her debut in a revival at Niblo's and
wrung new generation to tears. She
smiled and wept and m0aned with it
for many years, her last New York ap-
pearance of record being at the Grand
Opera House in 1896.
The historic blizzard Of March IL
1883, found Miss Gray playing east
Lynne" at the Germania Theater, in
Eighth Street. 1t is pleasant to in
aglne her giving it twice that night 80
snowbound throngs.
shortly before this Clara Morris,
great artist then in the full ulenitude
of her powers, reckoned that mod
ernized' adaptation would be timely
and presented "Miss Mutton" at the
Union Square Theater in 1875, witt
James O'Neill as the husband II Ell
bodied certain vital situa tions OF Mrs.
Woods story, but in detail was entire
ly new, with the locale in France
Unquestionably Clara Morris's pcr
trayal of Blanche, the renamed hero
Inc, was more subtle and human, for
she is said 20 have emphasized the sp-
pealing qualities of her roles as No
other actress ever did. Instead Of th
lace handkerchief held close to the
eyes TO simulate grief, Clara Morris
moved her audiences with copious eyi-
dence Of real tears.
Miss Mutton" was retained in he
repertory for many years, its last PEI
formance taking place at the Star The
ater, broadway and Thirteenth Street
IN 1899. On a program Of the Windsor
Theater dated 1886 Ii is interesting To
contemplate the name OF Viva Ogden,
cast as child, let it be, said quickly
and TO wonder if she is The actress o.
the same name who is seen to-day IL
Griffith's Way Down East"
And there were other EAST Lynnes
and other Isahels, Scarcely mstur'
player on the stage to-day. has mo-
been seen in a performance Of the play
Sophie Miles attracted the attention
OF New Workers as Isabel in 1874, and
Mrs. Chanfrau in 1882 alternated "Eass.
Lynne" with "The Almighty Dollar,
while Mrs. f. NJ. Bates, mother O
Blanche Bates, enjoyed it from TIM
to time. Rose Eytinge and Adelalae
Cushmsn separately revived Il in ls9s'
Lackaye, Nance 0'Neil and Mckee
Rankin; and in the same year Marie
Wainwright essayed it.
The last performance Of any note IS
recorded in favor of Eva Taylor ~ tas
American TheatPr in 1901 while EhSUa