Evening star., 1933-01-22

the sights that Mr.. Shaw must see when
in his girdling of the globe, he reluc-
family touches this ornery port, is Mr..
Frederic Worlock's Photographic MINI
icry of George Bernard Shaw. 1t is re-
markable for its shallow accuracy, and
I pray that "Foolscap" will last until
Mr.. Shaw has had an opportunity to
lock and few others. Excepting the
caricatures of Shaw and Pirandello,
"Foolscap" is merely an abnormal
Alice in Wonderland" and If Miss Eva
Gallienne will permit me to say 80,
much more of a recreation.
his prices he is to be excepted from
the problems of big business in the
theater. He, like Miss Barrymore and
Miss Taylor, is a trouper, consecrated
to the entertainment of his fellow men.
I believe him when he says that he
cares less for money profit than he does
for the routine Broadway laughter that
greets his every gesture. He is, as he
says he is, on the level-a four square
magic-man, the best of the theater's
conscientious hypnotiSts, and George M.
Cohan.
Being among those who prefer Mr..
Cohan's serious to his antic comedy,
was little piqued last week when early
in the first and only act of Pigeons
and People" he began to woolgather. A
glossy young insurance magnate of be-
nevolent instincts had discovered him
on bench in Central Park, surrounded
by flock of affectionate pigeons. Hav-
ing learned from him the sad story of
his life, this nice rich man invited. him
to his residence, and there endeavored
to ply him with food champagne, shell
ter and advice. But Mr.. Cohan, though
a bewildered derelict, was proud and
wary. With all his smooth, rough
Cohan sincereity he declined his hosts
hospitality and begged to be let go upon
his forlorn paths. His had been tragic
past, and all he asked from life was to
be allowed to run away from it. Sup
pose, said he to the insurance agent,
| suppose that my pathetic story is un-
true, and that you are nesting honi-
eide in your penthouse. Whereupon his
amiable protector pulled gun on him.
ordered him to hold up his hands and
threatened to deliver him to the police
force.
THEN, suddenly, Mr.. Cohan began to
disappoint me with exhibitions of
restrained and humorous dementia. He
showed signs of being quietly crazy and
turned himself into one of those
thoughtful maniacs who try to prove
that it is the sane who are insane and
that 1t is better to have a light head
than heavy one. He raised the devil
in a respectable Park avenue apart
ment, causing the police to be called
| by his many delirious devices. He was
on the stage steadily and unsteadily
from o'clock until 1890 without an
intermission, seldom uttering sentence
| that Is not magic in its effect, no mat
ter how shallow its context. My guess
| IS that pigeons and People" is a stunt
| in which the first actor forgets his
| duties to his. forgettable art, in his
conscientious anxiety to entertain his
public He leaves us in doubt as to
| whether the hero was maniac or sage,
assassin or sleuth, bum or millionaire.
A lively veteran of the stage he changes
its methods, concentrating the usual
three acts into one without an inter-
mission. It may be said in compliment
of Pigeons and People" that the hon.
estly mesmeric Mr.. Cohan is vigorously
active throughout the process. He
sings and plays upon a piano, song
called, If am not mistaken, "Poox Lit
tie World, an expedient ditty calcu-
lated to ignite the sentiments Of the
semi-thoughtful playgoers. : Mr..
Cohan and his confusing play are to
be had for two dollars, price that
seems to me to be reasonable.