The Washington times., 1926-10-12

; pei p1CACQ do ~ btiC AnloOluu VI I
Whether to- accept playwright
Swans programmed description
OF his latest effort as a romantic
comedy or as slapstick serio-
comic satire of revolutionary
kingdoms which change rulers
over night, was the question. 1t
was never definitely settled at
the opening performance for the
three acts fitted from mood to
mood with such rapidity that the
rapt attention sought for intense
sly romantic moments was chased
away by absurdities in dialogue
and action verging often upon
travesty.
Some there were who thought
that "Howdy King" would make
an ideal vehicle for Messrs. Clark
and Mccullough suitably en-
bellished with tunes and feminine
frippery. Others that Willie
Howard could hardly miss a
triumph in the role of King of
Ell Dorado. And yet there were
laughs all through the three acts.
Plenty of them Minor Watson
supplied much of the fun playing
the part as straight as a stern
director might command, but fit
ted with some sure fire lines that
won laughter as he spoke them.
Bot Mr.. Watson is not
comedian.
The story is set in the mythical
kingdom Of FL Dorado where, as
Mr.. Watson phrased it, trouble
was born and he arrives during
old home week" Juan TX, ruler
of the kingdom. had disappeared
during one of the many revolu-
tons and it is the cunning prime
minister who discovers that he
fled to America and died after
marrying out of the nobility.
His lineal descendant is Johnny
North. an Arizona cowboy, and
Johnny is intrigued to come to FL
Dorado and claim his kingdom.
This wealthy son of the West
leaves his ranch for Europe AMI
on the journey becomes deeply
smitten with an American girl
course, his infatuation interferes
with the purpose of the schem-'
ing prime minister who has poll
teal plans for his majesty's ro-
mantle future.
Johnny's coronation and his
rough and ready mannerisms
that conflict with court etiquette
customs and tradition provide
some of the richest comedy OF
the second act. And there is the
kings ultimate abduction and the
proclamation of the Republic Of
FL Dorado done in the best
Kauffman-Connolly manner. 1t
all ends happily through another
Of the convenient revolutions.
1t was somewhat of an old
home week at Polls last night
for the new play brought back to
Washington Minor Watson and
Lcneta Lane, two favorites of the
erstwhile National Stock Com
pany. Watson has never had a
more difficult or longer part nor
one he played with such zest and
seeming enthusiasm. He was
happiest in the first act as the
strutting cowboy of the West, a
forlorn and love-sick swain with
a yearning for a stack of Ameri-
can flapjacks. Once in his myth
raj kingdom he was plainly beset
rs to the authors intention. Miss
Lane was the Baroness Carlotta
Varica." Theda Bara vamp
whose big opportunity arrived
with the chance to practice her
wiles upon the king. Leneta was
a vision OF loneliness in black
velvet and rhinestones. Frank
Otto played effectively In true
musical comedy tempo, Larry
O'More," the American buddy Of
the king. There was never
doubt in Mr.. Otto's mind, and
thus his laughs piled up with the
biggest saved for the me!odramatic
furore at the finale, when he
comes back from the dead as a
two-gun man army to save the
monarch.
The fate of "Howdy King" rests