Evening star., 1926-09-28
POLPS-"The Good Fellow"

Aggressive and penetrating comedy,
which does not scorn to wind up with
y serious and emotional climax brings
John E. Hazard to Polls for the
opening Of the season, as featured
member of the cast of a new play,
THE Good Fellow"
It is undoubtedly intensely amusing
TO look in on the colorful life Of a
great and universal "joiner," to see
in burlesque the public depletion Of
the secrets Of the lodgeroom of fic-
ton, and then to observe the finesse
with which one frail feminine person
ality, in righteous indignation at the
prodigality of a parental spendthrift,
puts to flight the entire outfit.
The staccato wit OF George S. Kauf-
man. in collaboration with Herman j.
Mankiewicz, has produced a character
in Jim Helton, the Napoleon of the
Ancient Order of CorSicans, which fits
in we'll with the vibrant tones and
untiring stage presence of Mr.. HaZ-
zard, who displayed at the opening
some remarkable feats of memory, as
he carried the action of the play with
out q noticeable hitch in the fiuency
of his abounding supply of language.
1t Is noticeable also that in the af-
fairs Of the "Corsicans' Mr.. HaZ-
zard is associated with probably the
most striking assortment of grotesque
characters that the stage has ever as
sembled in one brief plot.
1t is necessary, for the complete en-
joyment of this latest candidate for
popular attention. to observe only the
farcical situations that are on view.
However hopeless may be the char
acter of Napoleon of the Corsicans, it
is to be expected that some way will
lpe found for his regeneration before
the curtain finally deScendS. And so
it is Yet if we are to obtain full en-
joyment of the evening of amusement
that has been promised, there ought
10 be some way of restraining the
sadness of certain members Of the
family of Napoleon, who suffer from
inside information that the worst is
yet to come.
The exception to his shadowy sor-
row which mingleS with the farciCal
situations is furnished by the ancient
theme Of the mother-in-law, in this
instance triumphant and benetlcent,
despite the cauStic manner in which
she proceeds with the task of restor-
ing the happiness OF the family of
Napoleon. Miss Clara Blandick as
Mrs. Kent of the older generation has
been provided with some clever lines
and she is a most effective foil for the
blatant egotism of the head of the
family. She recognizes that the lat
ter represents type that is always to
be found in enthusiastic support OF
efforts which have no intrinsic value
and only detraCt from genuine hap
piness. In stage business and vocal
efforts she inspires not a few OF the
laughs of the play.
One stage setting is employed for
the entire ShoW-an interior OF a
home-and it is complete in every de-
tail. The lodgeroom scene gives an
opportunity for the costumer to deal
extensively in color and design.
A consistent representation of the
martyr wife is offered by Francis
Underwood while Ethel Taylor as
Ethel Helton, the daughter Of the
family, has one emotional scene in
which she rises adequately to the Oc-
casion. Walter Baldwin. jr., as Dan
Ripley, faithful member of the Cor
sicans, covers a wide range from
buoyant support of the cause to con-
vincing thoughts of the futility Of the
plans to bring the national convention
Of the Corsicans to Wilkes-Barre. Vic
tor Kilian as Marshal Cutler and Nor
ris Ankrum as Citizen Reynolds are to
be credited, along with others in minor
degree, with unique contributions to
the lodgeroom ensemble. Lester Vail
as Tom Drayton is a dignified Suitor
OF the daughter Of the family.