Judge, 1921-01-22 · page 7 of 32
Judge — January 22, 1921 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page satirizes the disconnect between theater critics and Broadway press agents. The play "Circe of Cincinnati" is universally panned by actual critics (Oatswood Greene calls it "the worst play I have seen this year"), yet the press agent's advertisement shamelessly quotes those *same critics* as offering praise—presenting "Bored Into the Heart of Its Audience" and negative reviews as glowing testimonials. The satire exposes how press releases manipulate language: a critic's damning assessment becomes promotional copy through selective quotation and spin. The stark contrast between honest critical assessment (the show is tedious, poorly performed, tuneless) and fraudulent advertising highlights the cynicism of early 20th-century theater marketing and media manipulation—a practice that persists today but is now more recognizable to audiences.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
\TSWOOD GREENE cinnati’ was foisted upon unsuspecting first-nighters at the Bohemian Theatre last night back under all those things in the trunk. Tam frank to sty that it is the worst play [have seen Clarence the Planet. In *Circe of Cincinnati.’ Crescendo Allen holds her founded in its wonderment that an actress of her ex cellent reputation — should consent to take part in a this years Screamer. audience dum performance so obviously doomed to failure Alexander F the Moment: “Few plays that have made their imper tinent way onto Broadway's in the Seribblin Vie Lore or run Movers The Play By Peter Viscuer What the Critics Said: Circe of Cin night. It shou! It might fest be put right What the Press Agent's Advertisement Said: Seats Now Selling Six Weeks in Bohemian Theatre West h eet Ideance! ‘Takes Broadway by Storm!!! Scintillating. Captivating. Fascinating. Invigorating HEAR WHAT THE CRITICS SAID OF THIS CHARM ING NEW REVUSICAL NOW STARTING ITS INDEFINITE RUN “Best Play Seen This Year Oatswood Greene; “Holds Audience in Wonderment; Excellent Clarence Screamer “Bored Into the Heart of Its Audience Alexander Foolrot “Scream; Most Welcome Show."—J. Ranker Frowse Performance 7 stage have bored so completely as did ‘Circe of Cincinnati’ ven at this carly hour be on its 2 It tells the absurd story of an Ohio lowlife who raises herself into the heart of the city’s but enough of it! Suttice it to say that its audience gave it the chilly reception it so well de- served.” J. Ranker Frowse, in the Ghost: ** Ciree of Cineinnati® wants to make one seream. Anything to drown it out! The music has no lilt’ to it, the principals take no interest in the poor material they have to work with. There are no jokes The final curtain was the most welcome thing in’ the whole show.” comicbooks.com