New Britain herald., 1927-02-11
HARTFORD IS SOLID
 FOR OTIS SKINNER
Veteran Of Drama Warmly Wel-
 COmM at Parsons Theater
(By Herald Reyiewer) (Cast of Charaetery)


 La Nedie ............-.... Juia Sna" Orslnto ................ D. V. DeerlnS Borniche ................ William Clark Commandant Max Gilet. Courtney White Flora Brazier =. Jessie Royce Lands Captain Renard ....... Edward Butter Joseph Bridau .. Harry Burkhardt Madame Brdau .... Eugenie Woodward Jean an-Jacques Rouget Robert Harrison Colonel Philippe Bridau Otis skinner kousk .............. Harry Burkharut General Carpenter .... Wilson Reynolds Commandant Mignonnet ........'..
 ...........,.... William Granger Captain Potei ............ Albert Berg
 "The Honor of the Family" a four act play, was Of secondary inn portance at Parsons theater, Hart ford. last night. The older gener- ation of theatergoers turned out en masse to extend cordial welcome home again to Otis Skinner. And such a welcome it was. The man who, as a boy. used to recite pieces in a Hartford Sunday school, receiv- ed a testimonial of esteem in the form of applause that has seldom been accorded to any person of the stage. Half a dozen curtain calls after the second act were supple mented with ten or more after the third. Finally, after taking his bows, Skinner complied with the de- mand for a speech. which was mark ed by typical MT. Skinner humor. If the stage established an arbi- trary retirement age. Otis Skinner would now be tucked away In a pleasant room with southern expos ure looking back on 8 life of &C., complishment. But fortunately, there is no retirement age and MT. Skinner Is looking forward to greA- CT victories. He is one of the sur , vivors of the old school of Ameri- can drama, voice from yesterday that Is still strong and vibrant. "The Honor of the Family is adapted by Paul NJ. Potter from the play La Rabouilleuse' by Emil Fabre based on Balzac's romance "Un Manage de Garcon." The scene is laid in French household and the time is 1924. Surprising as 1t may seem to the younger generation, there were gold diggers' in those days. Such girl is Flora Brazier' played by Jessie Royce Landis. She aims to gain the hoard Of Jean Jacuue Rouget," a doddering, vaScil- lating old man, played by Robert Harrison. and flee with her lover. "Commandant Max Gilet," imper- sonated by Courtney White. But she reckoned without Colonel Philippe Bridau," played by Otis Skinner. He busters into the story, takes com mand of the household, points out to the old donkey" which Rouget is called, that the girl loves his money, not him, and foils the con- spirators. The ending seems so droll in the light of what happens nowa- days. A modern version would have the young lady suing for breach Of | promise, making eyes at the jury, walking out of court with a large part of her sugar daddy's" roll and ! entering her limousine. But in Bal zac's day they did things differently, So "Flora." outwitted, leaves the house in a rage and disappears into oblivion.
 There is no need to speak of the work Of MT. Skinner. Words could not add to his triumphs. Miss Landis gives an effective portrayal of Flora" and her dramatic talents are called upon to the full in the last act. As the rich old man. MT. Harrison's characterization Is per feet. MT. White, MT. Deering. Miss Shaw. MT. Butler and NIT. Burk- hardt handle their lines well.
 "The Honor of the Family" will be played for the remainder of the week at Parsons with matinee on Saturday,.