Evening star., 1932-02-07

( prone to look askance at 'the
1 old days" and fling a Signif1-
VI cant glance at 'the gay MIN
ties" as justification for mod
ern development, may find something
in the treasures of an old play album
which was started just 81 years ago and
was faithfully continued for only four
months, when its owner departed Tor
an extended stay abroad.
1t doesn't really matter why or by
whom the album was kept, but the pro-
grams and other data that make up Its
record afford a very clear idea OF what
sort of entertainment was popular ana
considered of the best type in the
theater in the early days of the present
century. The record began in October
1901, and closed at the end OF January
following In all, 35 plays and pro-
ductions are programmed, some of them
famous even to this day, and they In
clude performances given at leaong
theaterS in New York as well as IN
Washington and Philadelphia.
One of these, strangely enough, IS
accompanied with review and crltl-
cism by a reviewer Of The Star. 1t IS
Mrs. Leslie Carter's "Du Barry, pre-
sented by no less a master OF the craft
than David Belasco. 1t was this play
story that formed the basis Of the for
eign silent motion picture, passion,
which introduced Pola Negrl and Emil
Jannings to America. The film industry,
even to date has failed to present
either star as graciously or as effectively
as did Passion" although America IS
said to lead the world in picture pro-
duction.
October, 1901, brought rare display
oEr;o
Francis Wilson, one of Americas ia
nous musical comedians, in George w.
Lederer's production of THE Strollers,
adapted from a German story, with
book by Harry B. Smith and music by
Ludwig Observation-Disclosures intro
ducing the famous Eddie Foy in its
cast, which also included Irene Bantley.
The month brought also the famous
Anna Held, the French exquisite VINO
couldn't make her eyes behave" in
"The Little Duchess" by Reginald De
Koven and Harry B. Smith Anna
scored triumph after triumph during
of Washingtons best musical comedy
stars, appeared at this time in Miss
Simplicity" which was clean. amusing
and delightful, but which probably few
remember today. October also brought
a galaxy of superb stars of the stage
Julia Marlowe in when Knighthood
Was in Flower" with Bruce McRae in
the cast; Mrs. Fiske in Miranda OF
the Balcony" based by Anne Crawford
Flexner on the novel of A. E. w. Mason,
and David Belasco's new star" David
Warfeld. in THE Auctioneer," War
fields first great success, in which he
was assisted by Marie Bates, Brandon
lyman and a well balanced cast.
It brought likewise Bronson Howard's
great military comedy, Shenandoah" "
considered superb in its day, with lin
gering memories that last even until
now, and two plays by Clyde Fitch,
THE Way of the World" with Elsie de
Wolfe as it's star, and Lovers Lane, "
both written in 1901 by Mr.. Fitch, who
was an Amherst man. whose career be-
gan as a playwright with Beau Brum-
MEL in 1890, and written fer Richard
Mansfield, whose memory as great
actor and tragedian is, perhaps, not yet
waning. Mansfield's first brilliant sue
cess was achieved as Baron Chevrial in
THE Partisan Romance" from which
it was continued in some Of the great
est productions on the American stage.
Before leaving october, mention
should be made of the feminine chorus
In Anna Helds comedy with music" :"
A picture in the album shows them