Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-03-30
Polls "Mercenary Mary.

"Mercenary Mary" the latest must
cal coined ycreation from the workshop
Of L. Lawrence Weber. opened at
Polls Theater last night amid an ex-
uherance of genuine appreciation.
Weber already has to his credit Little
Jessie James" and Moonlight" and
his most recent effort seems destined
to carve another niche for him In the
hall of musical comedy fame.
The essence of all of the essentials
Of a successful musical farce has been
edroitly mixed into "Mercenary Mary"
IT has an abundance of clean, whole
some comedy, a captivating musical
score. and, of utmost Importance, a
chorus of dancing debutantes of the
type that Flo Ziegfeld glorifies. Then.
too. there's a real plot which threads
its way amusingly through the produc-
ton.
Some doubt appears to exist as to
the originality of the book of "Mer-
cenary Mary" Some think it was re-
constructed from the farce Love and
Money" seen here last season, or from
one named The Correspondent
Somewhere 1t has been said that it is
nothing more than a musical version
Qf What a Wife" presented on Broad
way about a year ago. Regardless OF
its pedigree. "Mercenary Mary" tells
it's story to the strains of Syncopated
jazz. and with amusing and refreshing
dash and vivacity.
There's nothing extremely elaborate
about "Mercenary Mary" While the
costumes border on the gorgeous. pre-
tentious scenic effects have been cast
aside in Mr.. Weber's new production
for the simple, but esthetic. settings.
And the girls-oh, what girls!
1t could not be said truthfully that
the premiere of "Mercenary Mary
was fiawless. Evidences of slight I'M
easiness and slips from grace were
present. but these are invariably char
acteristic of the opening of new per-
Torrance, and will be whipped out in
another rehearsal
Without it's musical embellish-
ments, "Mercenary Mary depicts the
story of a solicitous wife who would
rather be compromised against the
wishes of her 'hen-pecked" husband,
that he may divorce her, than lose
small fortune of $4,000, 900 from grand
pa The comical situations which it
brings about provoke veritable shouts
of laughter.
An admirable cast includes Allen
kearns, who plays the role of a
youthful lover in dire need of $4,000,
and who gets the opportunity to earn
If by acting as the correspondent for
Mary. the mercenary wife. Madeline
Fairbanks, who plays opposite
Kearns, is a vivacious bit of sweet
ness and charm, and though lacking
a strong voice, makes up for this in
her dancing. Nellie Breen, cast as
dainty Irish maid, and her policeman
lover, Jere Delaney, are remark
able dancing team. Louis Simon and
Sam Hearn are a pair of inimita bl e
comedians, who can get a laugh any
time even without their humorous
lines. Simon is the husband of Mer-
cenary Mary, and Hearn is grand
pa" with a penchant for flappers.
The title role is played to perfection
by Myra Hampton. Others in the
cast include John Boles. Frank King
don, Margaret Irving and G. David
son Clark.
Every girl in the eye-appealing
chorus is a talented hoofer. Any one
of them could serve as dancin &
principal. In the ensemble work they
breathe the spirit of originality.
One of the outstanding features of
"Mercenary Mary" however. is the
Ambassador, a modern jazz aggre-
cation well known to photograph
music. who occupy the trench"
throughout the show. Their music
IL as near perfection as jazz can he.
Catchy songs are rampant in the
scare.