Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-07-17
ADJUSTMENTS
BELASCO-"The Return"

Whatever his faults, 1t cannot be
denied that Avery Hopwood has a
substantial and fascinated galaxy of
admirers in Washington. This was
manifest last evening at the Belasco
Theater. where "a new Hopwood play.
The Return" received it's first ver-
dict from the general public, even
though, as a matter of fact, the play
is but an adaptation, according to
the program, from the French of
Robert Deflers and Francis Decroisset.
On all sides there was manifest
evidence of greater desire to see
MIR. Hopwood. personally. than to give
really serious consideration ito his
new play. 1t was from the French
and therefore was sure to be poppy"
and ''snappy" and the "risque" and
all that sort of thing. Yet. strange
10 say, ii fell short in all these eX-
pectations. Instead. The Return"
seems rather an attempt to prove the
old maxim that loves requires deeds,
not words, coupled with picture of the
heart of the world since the great
war, especially the heart Of the
doughboy who was willing to give
his all for the victory.
The women are frankly told that,
like the dollar. they have lost some
thing during and since the. war by
getting into the limelight and trying
to fill the mans place while he was
abroad giving his all for his country.
Just now. it appears. their purchasing
power is much below par. and they
cannot have all they are striving for
and vet retain what used to be freely
and gladly accorded them.
The play is one of spotted excel
lence, not we'll balanced 1t is much
TOO long and will stand the elimina-
ton of almost an hour of dialogue.
Perhaps it was the performance and
rot the play itself which is responsible
Tor the impression that minor charac-
ters at times are so prominent as to
detract from the strength of the
story and rather overshadow the
actors who carry the real burden of
the theme.
But in spite of it's apparent de-
fectS, there is something to il that
holds the sympathetic interest of
the audience and makes one feel at
the close of a long evening, that Mr.
liopwood has turned his trenchant
pen to better things and that he has
not wholly failed. Rather, indeed
there is in sight enough promise OF
substantial reward to warrant his
further careful attention to perfect
ing his work
The problem of a young couple in
trying to hold on to the bluebird of
happiness is interrupted by the war
which sends the young husband into
the thickest of the fight. and to all
the honors of real hero, with his
love for the little wife at home, as
his one constant thought and guiding
star. while she, on the other hand
endeavors to carry on for him, In
his business and otherwise. until his
return. They had their little rows il
is true, due largely to her craving
Tor outward manifestations OF his
love, while he, loving with all his
heart. nevertheless, gave his time
almost exclusively to Spanish history
until she was sick of the name OF
Spain. She hoped all this would
be changed when he returned; but II
wasn't
Meanwhile, young ensign appears
who can look love, even if he doesn't
talk it. He wins his way to tn,
is in sight. At this point. the two
men met, after she had solemnly
sworn them to keep cool. etc. etc
The interview develops that both hac
deadly action. and when the wife
PUSHES into the room expecting tc
find them in throeS of deadly combat
over her, 10 and behold. they have
forgotten her entirely and are ex.
changing the affectiondte embrace OF
two old pals who had almost crossed
the deadline over there" She a
once dismisSes the young ensign. anG
an old but belated letter arriving OF
the moment tells her of the unfalter.
Ing love of her husband in the hour
OF his deadlfest danger and brings
about reconciliation.
several characters that seem TO Jar
the unity of the story lend comedy
efforts. chiefly the girls mother and
an old bachelor with an eloquent
tongue. who is consumed with re-
Spectful love for the young wife.
Put rnis is not the tfmn il is be-
lfeved, to enter into a discussion OF
the merits of the cast. except to say
that Fred Raymond is ideal in the
role of the husband. and that Flora
Sheheld makes very human little