Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-03-12
Age Is a Funny Thing
By Jay Carmody.

.
By Jay Carmody
writer of 2o44 AID looking back upon
the theaer of today for slightly path
might do than to take development elderly
human being comedy character eight
held his place in the spotlight funny specimen The urd
est challenges of the sophisticated
atherbraned glamour bumptious
failed dodge plays
have sprouted and died the abrupt
those dealing with the elderly have turned into dazzling
during hits smart essayist could Imethng
about the last decade the that discovered
1t took SOLDERING depression dark
ening shadow of international chaosa
argued ferocouso turn the payWrighs mind the elderly
Among the first dramat discover hilarious posi-
bities George their
creation of Gramp Vanderhof in you YOU
they unveiled of the ndividuas developed by
free society anywhere and Of the funniest
heaer literature Cramps wanted only to live and let live
free to attend graduation exercises old graduation
and to be exempt from the irritation of income
wanted these things with such MEMORABLE disarmng
that he got them. And when
agent that he would not Navy
sonay did not said enthusiastically
funny things that rolled audiences aes Grampa
was of the great free his inspiration
to other ages feel not see the Jeopardy
in which all freedom involved
Another great comedy character
the time the Cramps fantasy
On Borrowed Time This had been
the tradition he refused to die until he could
make his place security in world
that he, the grandsire, did fully
This played by Dudley Digge matched Grandpa
Vanderhofs bland innocence fiery
he chased Death (caled fantasy up tree
stopped dying Of the great spec
tacles in the modern heae haunting fantasy
lived long and popular day. which than
Distaf S Not Ignored
BY the Irreverent Grandson
The disa side has ignored by any means in this
trend of the draat appealing of those
who have lived long enough something living
After several being played companies
all parts of country sight for Arsenic and
Old Lace That will be recalled instantly
elderly pnster innocent pnchan for putting
passing elderly males misery by feeding
made ederbery wine.
the who have dered at Joseph Kesselng
the country.
The origin of Mr. Kesengs play is not as some have been
unknd the
he fell to inknp one dav about the most b,n @
his wonderful grandmother might thinking
that she might gentle old murderes
play straight out of that whimsical meditation
Incidentally the motion picture
allegiance until the theater of the
Warner Bros for than Cary
afraid that that Is Lane
two retired from the will have forgotten
time the picture released overlooks
and Old Lace" virtually byword happened
to Miss Lane can have made but small difference
'Ife with Father" Another,
And Best, Case in Point
enduring comedy although one that deals with
middle, rather than DID, Life With Father" greatest
piece comedy writing generation way being
period original
Day famiyAin life With Father" carry implication age
ssua ,h ss ss on s
adaptation Of the Junior Days story by Howard Lindsay and
In case nv thesis rse.rchlf should run as,o.y s casu
meditation thehles the year 204
probably should be mentioned passing that
youthful spirited play Oklahoma"
characters Aunt Emmer She not DID, in that
triumphant operea generation beyond
Laurey, Curley mention three.
imaginary of would
like another of appeal comedy
might take passing glance at the elderly doctor in res
Family" He started to be incidental character fine,
mbng old 80 suddenly retirement replace
young physicians called off the appearance
obstetrica melee written than
incidental when the play opened Without him. indeed it would
have stiborn the opinion who here
the National last spring