The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-09-10


quenchable vitality. Its sturdy sur
vival Is Just as observable in fiction.
Snaith's latest story--in which there
happens to be an infinitesimal sug-
gestion OF the authors best charac-
teristics--is also a Cinderella, who is
not only abused by a phenomenaily
wicked uncle but saves a fortune to
her lover. OF all the stage figures. the
girl OF the cinders seems to lose less
hold on her admirers. And she is Just
as much beloved between the covers
OK a novel. She is even powerful
enough to surmount the rest Of ''The
Head OF the House Of Coombe," which
is wonderful test Of her vitality.
A Part OF the show.
Audiences that welcome the musical
plays always were the most extraor-
| binary gatherings that ever came to-
sether in the name of any kind of
stage art. 1t is not certain that they
are more characteristic when they face
III serried rows the actors on the stage
or when they have gathered together
In the lobby after the first act. The
general public Is luckily spared the
sight Of them and their works.
Only those who are called bv dutv
to witness first representations OF the
so-called musical shows" are com
PEELED TO endure their eccentffcities
There is. OF course. way of taking
them. II life be a tragedy TO him who
reels and comedy to him who thinks.
there is a way out even Of the musical
first night audience. Apply the fingers
70 the nose, suppress the tendency TO
gag and don't feel badly about these
gatherings. Just think what you please
about them.
This fall there has been such an IN
crease In the energies of the claaue
tnat Hrst performances of a kind To
sur the interest Of the song publishers
are an ORDEAL It Is absurd to hint that
the NUISANCE Is new. 10 has gone on
Tor a score OF years. But 1t has kept
stride during all that time with the
increase In the theater's enterprise.
Just as productions have become vastly
more elaborate and complicated. 20
have the activities Of the boosters
Inc other night the first act Of a
musical play which had begun almost
on schedule continued until A quarter
after ten.
All this wearisome and unjustifIed
prolongation Of slight work was the
result OF the ciaque. If the song Of
one firm Of music publishers be re-
peated I'VE times it is necessary that
every other one should seem TO enjoy
Just as much popularity. Otherwise
AS new song will be accounted more
OF a success than BIS. 30 the song
pluggers, as they are called, keep IL up
until discrimination In out Of tho uues-
ton.
In the meantime the patient audi
ence. which came to enjoy itself with
out the least interest in whether one
song goes big" while tho other "flons (.
lnds itseif part OF some huge ma
chinery for Keeping one set Of songs as
popular az another. There is every
indication that wise men are Keeping
away from these performance. Re-
cent nrst nights have had the appear
ance or being composed exclusively OF
the song plugeers.
Making IL Clear.
The ancient and honorable property
joke" has been restored to tho public
OF tho metropolis by Edward Paulton,s
farce. Her Temporary Husband"
which brought back with II so many
other reminders OF an earlier and more
naive day in the theator. Probably
you have forgotten what this sort OF 4
joke Is There has been plenty OF
time to. IL Lew Fields were active in
putting on his musical plays nobody
would have had the chance to forget.
nc Is the high priest OF the property
joke which II an expedIent for driv-
ing In the point by some outward and
visible sign OF humor. Mr.. Fields's
highest achievement in this depart
mont of humor was sausage in a
butcher shop which used TO rear it.
self on it's four legs and walk off like
q dog when II was whistled at.
Well, that Is the kind OF a joke we
mean. It may not be subtle. but II Is
not confusing in intent. Everybody
knows just what II means. When in
the second act of.thc new play at the
Traxee Theater his keeper handr the