The Washington times., 1925-02-03
WHITE COLLARS
A CHALLENGE
FROM WEST

To vary the established order
of things we now have a play
which is definitely established as
dramatic hit on. the Pacific
slopes, cross the continent and
attempt the conquest of Broad
way.
white Collars" this new
three-act comedy by Edith Eliss,
which had it's premiere in the,
east at the Belasco last night.
shows us quite definitely what
happens to the little Cinderella
Of musical comedy after she has
captured her millionaire.
1t has originality in it's funda-
mental idea and while it presents
the working out Of a sociological
problem-that nobody. has ever
worked to date-there arc few
moments when it is not thorough
~ interesting through dialogue
that flows smoothly from a cast
in complete sympathy with its
mood.
The little stenogrApher OF
White Collars" naaryles the mil
lionaire boss to start the action.
Boundless wealth and genealogical
pride is then confronted with the
task OF assimilating with poverty
and the atmosphere of the tene-
nlents. They are q proud family
these Thayers Of the great mid
die class. A union with the rich
Van Luyns comes as a staggering
surprise and yet they have Lheir,
pride which will not permit Of
charity. or patronage. The
Thayers Of the white collar. class
that strata of society between
the hopelessly poor and the
fabulousiy rich-find that reach
ing.a common level with the new
~ acquired member of the family
offers a perplexing question in
which all take a hand.
49,
In this battle between wealth
culture, and education vs.. near
poverty, ignorance and struggle,
the playwright has given the
major I1onoYs to the already rich
" endowed. The Cousin Henry
Of. Clarke Silvernail, nominated 40
spokesman for the great middle
classes is well conceived char
acter but since he strives without
logic against William. Van Luyn.
the predatory heir, it's an un.
even contest, UneYe1 largely be-
cause 1t is necessary to have the
saccharine ending to please the
masses OF the theater.
The cast OF white Collars" ID
worthy Of the kindest words for
the conscientious manner in
which they addressed their labor.
The pseudo -bpiahevic HCousiIl
Charlie Of Clarke Silvernail was
played with sufficient repression
to give the character appeal.
Mona kingsley was the Z Joan
Sawyer" and nandled the varying
emotions OF the role scapabIy.
Frances Underwood made the
mother u completely Wholesome
and loyeabie MON" and Rea
Martin won her individual acclaim
BY conanendable work as the
flapper daughter. The william
Van sLuyi1, as played by John
Marston was forcefuIs and con-
vineing and Cornelia Otis Skinner
was splendid In all too brief
moments.
i = lO cAAkA04 VA HNtCA bAtC RAQ0CSAN
tation Of her play and 1t would
be less than fair to say that she
did a first class job. The
customary opening night lapses
were noticeable for their absence.
Some deletions in a second act
that was q bit draggy and a
judicious pruning that would sub.
tract fifteen minutes from the
whole, might accelerate the
tempo. However, these are minor
From its reception at the
BeIasco last night we should say
that Producer Egan can approach
the New York ticket brokers with
considerable assurance. There
were three genuine curtain calls
at the finish-not the customary
up and down kind-from an
audience that seemed eager to
express appreciation for a well
anonf ovonfS10 a r