Evening star., 1923-07-23
ADJUSTMENTS
BELASCO-"The Alarm Clock. "

Avery HopwoGd'S new one, the
Alarm Clock. based on the French
play by Hannegan and Cooley-or was
it Hannequin and Coolus? probably the
latter, which was presented for the
first time at the Belasco Theater last
night, is both amusing and entertain
ing. But it sounds more like Manhat-
tan than France. for the rough stuff"
what little there is of it. smacks
strongly of New York. not of Paris.
And, it may be added. in all probability,
New York will adopt it as it's very own
and like ii.
The reformation of wayward youth
is always problematical, and sometimes
it is slow. If Avery's half repentant
half defiant talk of last week seemed
to indicate that he hoped TO do better,
evidently his foot slipped, for while he
is unquestionably entitled to credit Tor
d:scarding his iavorite fun weapon, the
bed. he has, nevertheless. yielded TO
his characteristic of putting over IL
shock two to jar the sensitive ana
make the chewing-gum eaters glgsie
the louder II is n pity. because ms
play meets all the requirements or
fun and enjoyable entertainment with
out the few bits of raw meat thrown
III to flavor it.
Briefly, it shows what New York did
to a respectable family from Kan 5
Corners. The strongly imaginative
might be inclined to guess that that
is what it did 10 Avery after he lett
Cleveland.
-oyer-solicitous married lady. wife
of an absent congressman. concludes
that il is wise to send Tor the country
nephew and friends of wealthy bach
elor to nurse him through an attack
of gout. which, by the way. Is the
alarm clock; to see that he reforms
his ways, but above all. to keep away
from him an interesting "FollleS Elrl
and to get rid of quaint Eheilsh
bachelor. his constant companion
whom she does not like. The ioIks
or thereabouts. who played the church
organ at home and composed ora
torios" about Joseph and Mrs. Potlphar
and her pretty, but knowing dauGn inter-
yield quickly to the influences oi jazz.
quiet roadhouses and cocktails. while
the nephew of the bachelor, proSpec-
tive university professor, forgetS All
in his admiration of Tagal poetry.
The mother. after exploiting the
| Kams Corners banker in very
amusing oratorto entertainment,
breaks her engagement to him an q
falls for the EngliShman. who mas
also writes a jazz composition that
scores a hit and is injected into the
play apparently as an excuse tor
cheap fun. with its suggestive name
| and designation. the only blot upon
The Alarm Clock The daughter
falls in love with the bachelor ana
lands him Squarely for very pretty
| bit of romantic comedy and pathoS;
and after having had his hair cut and
| his face shaved. Shorn OF Kan )
| Corners derssing gown and given a
New York outfit. the fool nephew
! wins back his sweetheart from his
IG l.fT IL
! or may be imagined as you please.
! The east IS excellent in every re-
spect. Bruce MCRae as the bachelor
iunClc gives TO his work the art OF
! the finished farceur and some bril-
! liant high comedy. Blanche Ring as
! the mother. of course. is incompara
! HE Hers was the center of the stage
! and the spotlight. While Marion
! iCoaklev is exquisite both in appear
iance and in her work. nrSt as the
! little kam's Corner girl and then as
! the sophiSticated youngSter with
New York training. Lionel rape ana
: John Daly Murphy also share the Dig
hOnors as the Englishman ana tht
: country banker. respectEelN' eaCt
! fitting his role like glove. Cora
! Witherspoon, as the absent congress
mans wife. and Mary Phillips. as the
| "Follies" girl, both are adequate. as
were Gordon Ash. Norma Hackett
! carl Anthony. Joseph Crehan anc
/ Walter Soldering. in minor roles
4 large audience. from the hurrl
cane deck down to the main level
fbnronrhIv enjoyed the show. for L
laughed and applauded almost un
ppaSlnElS.