Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19
Process of Social
And Dramatic Evolution
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

mechanism of scenery. This proved
something OF an obstruction rather
than an assistance. since it was not
in all respects smoothly handled on
the opening night. which had to be
postponed because of lack of prep
aration. The play rose superior to
its scenery, in spite Of the nervous
ness which necessarily resulted from
the confusion in handling Hath and
canvas"
It was Anne Nichols who produced
the play. which will rank in the
minds of all who saw it as high
light in an artistic career. Like
other producers. Anne Nichols made
humble beginning artistically.
Some prominent managers laid the
foundation for sufficient capital to
60 on to brig things by mere song,
as in the case Of John Golden and
Gene Buck Anne Nichols wrote
"Abie's Irish Rose" presented it
amid the jeers Of Broadway, but
held it for record breaking run
because it was beloved of the
Bowery.
MANY who saw "Abramovitch.'
misled by names. came to laugh and
remained to find their eyes glistening
because of some intense beauty of
lofty thought or some delicate touch
of pathos.
This play is again a study of the
melting pot viewed from an entirely
different angle than that of "Abie's
Irish Rose" The mild complications
caused by disagreement about mat
tiers of faith and opinion are super
ceded by an intimate study of the
aspirations and characteristics of
the strangers seeking fortune, or at
least relief. in this continent still so
young in history that it remains the
hope of that part of the world
whose thought in economic matters
has grown old and weary and some
times cruel.
The play by Francois Porche is
finely adapted by Charlton Andrews.
A translation must leave some OF
the beauty of the original unref1ect-
ed, so far as the words are con-
ccrned, even though adaptation may
Increase its effect in connection with
modern stage presentations. What
ever shades of meaning must have
escaped in the course of transmits
sion from one tongue to- another,
Mr.. Andrews has made the play a
splendid example of literary English.
y X X
One of the most remarkable fea-
lures of the production is made pos
sible entirely by the sincerity of idea
and intense discernment into the
qualities of human character yet to
Be developed in these western sur
roundings. That feature is the in
PRODUCTION into episodes Of serious
meaning of immigrant types which
have been additionally associated
with quaint comedy. Among the
figures in the bewildered crowd
approaching a great destiny with
the mingled faith and fears OF
childhood may be seen many such
characters as have been delineated
for the sake of smile by Warheld
by Weber and Fields, by Eddie Can
tor, by Louis Mann, by Leon Enrol
Behind the smile that each provoke
there is shade of new understand
ing which makes sympathy etface
derision.
Two careers are developed side by
side. one that of the passionate
thinker willing to sacrifice money
for the sake of ideals and that OF
the implacable exploitcr of men
willing to sacrifice ideals for money
They move side by side in story
which shows no favoritism in de-
pictinE circumstances that affect
their fortunes. The circumstances
are common knowledge.
x X
Each molds his own career and
his own destiny with the material
at hand and achieves the highest
aspiration of which his mind and
heart is honestly capable. They
start even, in abject poverty. 1t is
a fair enough race.
The contrasting types of person
aiitv as they move through new OPP
portunity could not be better por-
trayed than are the title role by
De Cordova and that of Rosenfelo
bv Arthur Hohl Resented is ar
unzracious, even rasping, role, en-
acted with finish which makes II
convincingly human. It holds nc
hint of cxaggeration despite its EN-
phasis. The role of the idealist ami
mated bv devotion TO wife and chilli
and a burning wish to help th'
whole world, in short the role OF The
poet, is most exacting because of IT.
beauty. Many of his speeches are
orations with the eloquence OF deep
though sometimes ingenious, ear
nestness, but they are not harangues
Those who hear him are not a mob
but a group of lost pilgrims hopefu
10 find the way. He brings th'
word "demagogue" back TO its rudi
mentary meaning and seeks to b.
not a leader, but teacher of thu
people; a teacher not only by words
but by his own life example.
Abramovitch and Resented star
as partners in business A crasl
comes, Resented retires on a pr
vately accumulated competence. con
tent with his own opinion and igno
rant of the scorn in which he ough
TO hold himself Abramovitch is no
only shattered in fortune. but over
wbelmed with grief by the death o
his SON Yet it is Abramovitch wh'
goes on content TO face the struggl
anew because of his wife's unwaver
ing love and the whispered assur
ance frnrn her that another son WI