Evening star., 1924-02-10
A Moment of Seriousness In
the Theater.
By Ph;1ander Johnson.
ODETTE MYPrIL~ Keiths

tipathies arising in our own country,
because OF the war hurts that were
stinging and ranking in every mind.
President Wilson occupied his ia
vorite box. He applauded. There
arose an ovation. He stood up and
said very quietly that he hoped the
sentiment which had just been ex-
pressed would one day be echoed
everywhere. 1t seems remiss not to
have remembered the precise words.
1t was a bold demonstration, and
characteristic; one that few states
men would have ventured, without
careful, deliberate conference; one
that probably no other could have
delivered i'll complete spontaneity
with perfect security and poise.
Many who were offended by it then
now recall it with reverence as
prophecy.
One visiting the theater last week
in frame Of mind distrustful OF the
theater's present educational equip
nent would probably have selected
THE Passing Show" as we'll stand
ardized type of entertainment, with
light, gayety, color and motion as its
only objects. OF course, it employs
words, but only in a very subordi-
nate capacity. In the way of phrase
ology, the current producer is appar-
emily grateful for very little. A per-
functory sentence does duty for an
epigram and is respected almost as
work of genius. Opulence can
command beauty and grace. 1t has
apparently lost hope OF getting be-
yond research work" in verbal ex-
preston. The clerical accomplish
ment has been rlagnihed to terms OF
inspiration. As Friend Dogberry
puts it, ITO be we'll favored man
is the gilt of fortune. but to write
and read comes. by nature
* = x x
If the amusement seeker were in
clined to study the reformatory as
pect of the theater, he might see the
religious play at the Shubert Belasco
on which the Selwyns are concen-
trating after abandoning the project
of introducing the country to the
night world of Paris by the Grand
Guignol route. No example of re-
formatory revision could be more
striking.
If the quest happened to be one of
a bit of human sentiment reaching
straight for the heart without strik-
ing regard for subtle ingenuities,
Patches" would reward him. The
Shubert Garrick is still experiment
ing with the bargain counter, caus-
ing little apprehension that some
Of its good plays will be missed by
the numerous people who regard the
price tag as the determining symbol
of merit.
He who loves the playhouse for
its own sake could not fail to reyel
in the glimpse behind the scenes of
the most modern theatric adjunct,
the motion picture studio, afforded
by Merton OF the Movies" Merton
is the idealist cast by nature for a
comic; the Cyrano OF Hollywood.
Harry Leon Wilson is one of those
humorists whose fun is so intelli
gently human that it may slip a tear
of pathos into your eyes Just at a
moment when it seems most hi'ari-
Gus. Glen Hunter is one of those
rare birds, genuinely good juvenile.
He plays a country boy, and is,
therefore, compelled to awkward
angularities, liable to create the inn
preston that he could not do a ro-
mantle role. This is the risk of type
classification run by man who
finds part that fits him like a
glove" The dramatization BY Kauf-
man and Connelly-the Beaumont
and Fletcher of Broadway-is we'll
knit together. The author is hav-
ing better luck with this transfer
to the stage than he had with his
story Of .Ruggles. Sometimes the
satire is little keen, but it is never
bitter. The big heart beat is there,
amid swirl of superhcialities.
Y x !: =
William A. Brady, who delights in
bold controversy, is evidently coming
to Washington prepared for a mill
tant week. He invites the clergy
men of the city to see his new play,
Simon Called Peter" and decide for
themselves whether its daring is
reprehensible. We warn the clergy
men in advance that anything they
may say is liable to be used on Mr..
Brady's billboards.