Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-13

Ut Is one of the minor dlscontentS
of this column that 1t Is seldom
able to commend unequ1vocally
Il the performances OF OTIS SKINNER.
The reason for this discomfort Is
that I look upon Mr.. Skinner as the
most admirable personally of the play
ers-a gentleman, scholar, kindly
recipient of criticism of his infirmltles,
even though his critic, like Brutus,
makes them greater than they are. A
Clearly man of the world is he, pleas
ant companion, in association with
whom no scribbler of the stage can fail
to be advantaged. OF himself ne
speaks but little, though his career (to
mel is the most picturesque OF any
American actor. OF his art ana lts MS
tory he diScourSeS Sanely and Lovingly,
as no false fanatic, but as knowing
practitioner whose prisons comoue m
diligence with devotion.
DR.. Goldsmith once said of Mr.. Gar
rick that on the stage he was "natural,
simple, affecting; twas only when he
was of that he was acting" This, re-
versed, may be spoken OF Mr.. Skinner.
Now, In "A Hundred Years Old he Is
an aged Spaniard engaged In ceiebrat-
ing his Tooth birthday, surrounded py
an incredibly uninteresting group OF
friends and kinsfolk. For three acts at
the Lyceum this dull household prattlos
drowsily about the affairs of the neigh
borhood, with here and there timld
excursion into such topics as birth con-
troll and fallen women. Adapted from
the Spanish Eel Centenario' of Serafin
and Joaquin Qintero by the Granville
Bankers of England. it affords sparse
entertainment for those who are fond
of and accustomed to the up-and-at-
em drama of Times Square.
AS Papa Juan Del Monte, Mr.. Skin
ner is able to perform his beguiling
feats of artificiality. lifting his voice
now TO a melodious treble and lowering
1t then to a gentle baritone. He runs
the many scales of elocution sklllfully
and seldom offends the ear with a true
note. His masque, one OF the most
plastic of the dramas physiognomles,
is shifted from this EXPRESSION to that
in def sign posts of emotion. How
ever, it seemed the other night that the
proceeding and it's participants were in
consequential and many Of us left be-
fore the finish. regretfully wondering
what induced Mr.. Skinner and his pro-
ducer, Mr.. Miller, to present so tire
some a play. Perhaps it was the pres
tige Of the Granville-B Bankers, renowned
for the excellence of their printed
drama, or the fame of the Quinteros,
popular playrights of Madrid. Never
theless, "a Hundred Years Old" is a
case Of misplaced confidence.
4 u
MARTIN FLAVIN, in THE Criminal
AVA Code" sheds the stages glaring
spotlight on the dark places of our
courts and penitentiaries. Obviously
sincere and sympathetic student OF the
wrongs suffered by the wrongdoers, he
shows them to us in grim drama
streaked with the glitter of theatrical
romance A youth from the pasture
fields comes to New York in quest of
fortune. He innocently kills man in
speakeasy brawl, and, having dumb
lawyer to defend him, he Is sent to
prison for term of 10 years.
There he withers under the hard
labor of the jute mill until his mind
topples from sheer despair. Just as he
is growing crazy the pretty daughter Of
the warden falls in love with him and
takes steps for his redemption. I am
toll. that 1t is not unusual for gaolers'
daughters to succumb to the pathetic
charms of their parents handsome cap
tives, and so shall stifie my skepti-
cism In the matter This romance, per-
haps, was but Mr.. Flavin's obeisance TO
Broadway, brave compromise OF
drama with show business.
Otherwise 1.-The Criminal Code" is
big parade of penologys evils, picturing
with credible characters dramatic incl
dents and atmosphere the Sufferings Of
the iailbirds. In addition to its plauS-
ible mutinies and murders, 1t has Ar
thur Byron to impersonate the odd role
Of popular Irish district attorney. de-