The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-04-23
Did You Hear?
That Condition of the Weather
May Determine the Fate
of an Actor.
BY LUCIEN CLEyEs.

n TOW the scientific folk who turn
M their attention to such trivial
= matters as the theater are
saying that applause is largely the
result OF weather conditions. DR.. E.
Il. Free has been investigating the
matter and declares that cool eve
ming following a warm day will so
stimulate the public that mental re-
action to pleasure will produce the
tendency to applaud. The stimulation
Of a pleasant evening. moreover. will
encourage the spectator to keep UP
the effort. Tho electrical state of the
air Is important in determining the
tendency Of the audience to reveal the
state OF its feelings in a way that de-
lights the actors.
Managers will not find II possible
TO arrange all their new productions
so that a cool evening may follow a
warm day. but they are anxious to
know what the temperature of the
theater ought to be to prejudice the
audience in favor of the play. Such
matters they are able to regulate even
IL It is not always possible to make
the weather certain. DR.. Free is now
making his scientific observations as
to the effect OF tie weather on APP
plause by observing the effect of the
same lines and songs in "Afarjolainc"
on the public at different times. He
is working so secretly that he has
even refused to tell the press agent.
Robert Edgar Long. the result OF his
conclusions until his inyestigationS
are at an end.
The End OF the Season.
Some OF tho actors are beginning 70
feel the effects Of the long runs. even
IL the public IS Indifferent to them. On
last Monday night Richard Bennett
tainted during the performance OF HE
Who Got Slapped" at the Fulton Thea
ter, and the curtain was lowered until
he had recovered. Ills indiSposition
was SO slight that he was able to finish
the play. On Tuesday Marilyn Miller
for the first tifno since the run OF
sally" began was out OF the cast at
the New Amsterdam Theater. Her
place was taken by Gloria Foy, who
acquitted herself with glory. Miss Mil
Ter felt temporarily indlsposed.
More Hired Houp-in.
I'm reference to your history OF the
early days OF the opera claque," writes
a correspondent. Il wonder II you ever
heard Of the ciaque that welcomed q
certain distinguished London music hall
artist to New York. lie was famous
In his own land. but very British. lie
had been engaged at high salary
when London music hall artists were
more In demand here than they are to-
day. Tho manager who had booked him
at his theater wondered how lie would
be received. Would the public under
stand him? Would tho public like him?
How would 1t act anyhow
1T was necessary, OF course, 70
eliminate any risk In the matter. The
vox populi was not 20 be heard. IT
was not safe TO take chances. There
had to be an overwhelming and
vociferous expression OF approval OF the
new singer. OF course tho manager
realized this could best be had from an
audience OF tho actors compatriots.
How we're they to be gotten together?
He soon solved that mystery
from all the English ships In tho har-
Dor he invited the stewards, tho crew.
the officers and all the presentablc men
who were or duty that night. As q
consequence the actor faced an audience
when he appeared that was at least one
third British. The men az knew him,
shouted his name, cheered him from the
gallery and gave him such a sendor as
few strangers over had He did not
really need this reception, since he made
a great popular success. But that was
not known ~ the outset The manager
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