Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-12
Ry BRETT PAGE

New York. Nov. 11.-The short sec
ttion of this season thus far traversed
has demonstrated that critics have
hearts. Not so long ago in this very
column it was admitted that your re-
porter witnessed some scenes of La
TeDdresse'' with suspicious moisture in
his eve Now advertisements of THE
| Fool" which has just been disclosed
| on the Times Square theater stage,
| blazon the fact that the most, sincere
| and eager metropolitan newspaper crit
les wept during some scenes of Chan
ming Pollock's fine play.
| They called me in the public squares
The fool that wears a crown OF thorns.
This verse is quoted at the top of
THE program. 1t introduces the story
of a gentle young preacher who strives
to live today as Christ lived. His rich
parish turns him out. his fiance de-
nounces him. his efforts to serve the
poor are misunderstood. No-one under
stands, feeling there is u trick, d catch
in such unselfish goodness.
But in spite of the hatred and per-
~secution his teachings and work arouse,
his message gradually bears fruit. En-
ployers and employees come together
through his efforts, in willing co-opera-
ton and division of profits. Families
are reunited, the wicked are shamed
out of their wickedness and@the sick
are healed. All this is brought about
by the power of truth and goodness.
The conclusion is that money is not
a standard Of success. It declares and
seems adequately TO prove that this
young man in the companionship of
Christ, C~onfucius, st. Francis, Elmer
son and other pure teachers, lives the
only life that can be called successful
because love, wisdom and intelligence
and good are one, and that One is
God.
This sounds preachy and essentially
undramatic, but so freshly, so sincerely
and SO convincingly is the story told,
the audience sits enthralled. Your re
porter believes that no person pos
sessed of an open, eager mind could sit
through this performance without feel
ing happier and bettered.
The mob scene at the close of the
third act is the critical instant. 1t
tests the skill of the playwright. di-
rector and players. Here angry crowds
that misunderstood the motive and the
work of the young preacher, surround
him at his settlement in lower Man
haitian. Here he is freely giving over
coats. food and shelter, spiritual and
material ~sustenance. TO those who are
in need.
The capitalist to have him adj
judged insane. The evil characters of
the neighborhood accuse him of trying
to fascinate women. They employ
such words as these Of familiar express
sion: Give us a sign. If you are q
son of God. give us a sign But even
as they strike him down the sign comes.
For the little crippled girl whom he has
taught. has prayed for him aloud
throughout the mob Gene. and now
she arises and walks without her
clutches. The mob kneels-the sign
has come.
James Kirkwood plays Daniel Gil
christ, the Christ-like preacher. with
wonderful sincerity and power. Each
of the others in an unusually fine east
which includes Lowell Sherman. Hen
~ Stephenson and Sara Sotnern. is
admirable in his or her role. Frank
Reicher who staged The FOOL for
the Selwyns, who present it. deserves
a large share of the credit for it's sue
onsS