Evening star., 1927-04-17


1t recalls the ancient story OF the
curate breakfasting with the bishop.
who asked him whether he enjoyed
his egg. The curatc difidently re-
piled, Some parts Of it are very
good, indeed
"Iovc Is Like That" is modern
romantic comedy, with farcical spots.
Ii has a producing staff, which, tor
the number OF its names. almost
rivals the cast OF characters, II
sounds little as II from time TO time
ore. person left off writing and an
other took up the task.
Basil Rathbonc plays the role OF
central interest. that OF Russian
nobleman who. after the revolution,
sttempted 10 reach this country as
stowaway Unable TO endure the
uncleanliness OF his surrcptltious
quarters on shipboard, he decided TO
drown himself. He was rescued by
an athletic American girl, who pro-
ceeded TO introduce him into her
home, where plans are made to
further his pecuniary welfare by
means of a nercenary marriage.
This part OF the narrative would
probably have made a more brisk
drama than the story OF his loves,
real OF simulated, ending not exact
" with any great "self-sacrlhce,
but with a bit Of honest and gcncr-
Gus advice TO a reckless young Won1-
an and a Bless YOU, my children,
for her and her boyish sweetheart,
&
Much OF the dialogue IS in the ma
ture OF direct story telling. Yet
here and there an epigram flashes
a glow Of laughter through the audi
ence. Some vigorous dramatic
scenes give an impression OF sud
den energy and then subside into
. placid flow Of dialogue. The cast
reveals some trst-rate acting side
hy side with types OF character not
closely and delicately defined. One
af the best actors on the stage,
Charles Richman, had, by no means,
enough to do,
K
Through the entire performance
Mr. Rathbone bears himself with an
wSSvayering calm. as he represents
4Ae amiable superiority OF a man
eh1cated to the belief that he was
&eated not TO serve the world. but
No be served By it. He is a creature
Of luxury, cannot exist without It
and is almost as quaint in his way
as Prince Daffodil in The Yellow
Jacket who demanded that his
prison be beautiful garden always
flied with flowers.
a play may depend on action and
en> a disclosure OF logical relation
ships OF events and human impulses.
WEen these elements are not strong
IL must depend upon the sparkle of
dialogue. Mr.. Rathbone's prince is
900 eiegantie indolent of meuta'
aasthod too much accustomed to
Aaye his manner Of expression ap-
proved Of rather than It's material
sealyzed, that he cannot bring him
sell even 10 be d tirst-class cynlc.
There is 4 touch OF dignity in the
dosing scene, when he turns out
xAe lights. bows TO the furniture,
AaAE farewell to It's imaginary occu-
pasAs and walks out into the moon
NEaBt on the road to decent poverty
@foments such as this are what
bring a warm heart beat and are well
Morth waiting for The play is not
exactly like the curates egg. It can
- Lad - 41~a .F IN
ing recast as 10 certain characters
and rewritten with a view to more
animated conversation. While not
compelling al all times, it has the
undoubted evidence OF merit which
causes its really good scenes TO stand
out agreeably il recollection, while
those rot satisfying speedily fade in
the course of very lew hours.
X
Washington audiences. of course
would have liked an opportunity to
Telcome a new authorship in the
drama with Overwhelming acclaim.
The present tendency in New York
producing circles appears to be to
~Treat EN- rough" and hold the lads
who patiently punch the typewriter
Geys, hoping that the thousands
rpon thousands OF letters will event
uaily so arrange themselves as to
spell the one big word, Success re-
Fponsible Tor pcruicious plays which
thrust money into the pockets oi
their producers.
The lot Of the old poet was bad
enough. When he displeased, the
public pursued him from the theater
pclted him with rocks. or, if in Z
merciful mood, only with vegetables
and finally tossed him in blanket.
The modern playwright faces al
even worse fate when his persona
character is deliberately and m
scrupulously manhandled, even whllt
he works under orders and strives
faithfully enough TO please both tht
public and the padrone.
x
A habit Of the American theatei
was exemplifed in the case OF Mr.
Doyle's impersonstion in Love /
Lake That" of the self-made Ameri
can man. An American citizen, how
ever lovabie his qualities or com
Jnanding his position, is usually es
tlmated on a iowiy scale IN com
parison with the European example!
of culture with whom his wealth
gives him contact. Even in his ma
fiye surroundings he IS more. quain
4han impressive, alter the 'fashiot
set by John T. Raymond as Col
Sellers or ". J, Florence as tn,
Hon. Bardweu Scott in The Al
mighty Dollar"
"A Texas Steer which Charlie
Hoyt wrote for Tim Murphy, en-
phasizsd the personal drolleries Of
statesman from the sticks, and mad
no account Of the polishing process