Judge, 1923-03-17 · page 16 of 36
Judge — March 17, 1923 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page reviews a silent film adaptation of the stage play "Grumpy," featuring actor Theodore Roberts in the title role. The text praises Roberts's performance as an elderly character, noting his ability to play "old gentlemen" convincingly despite his youth. The phrase "outsherlocks Holmes without the aid of Watson's needle" is a contemporary reference joke—comparing Roberts's detective-like prowess in the film to Sherlock Holmes, while sarcastically noting Holmes's famous cocaine use ("Watson's needle"). The review credits the original play to Hodge and Percival, and references Cyril Maude's acclaimed stage performance from a decade prior. The lower photograph shows Roberts with co-stars May McAvoy and Conrad Nagel in a scene from the film.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mr. Roberts is a young- ster whose work in the movies will bear watch- ing. He gives promise of a long and successful career; and, in spite of his youth, does old gen- tlemen to the very life. Theodore Roberts, May McAvoy and Conrad Nagel “GRUMPY” In this film version of Hodge and Percival’s stage success of the same name, Theodore Roberts, as the kindly old Grump, outsherlocks Holmes without the aid of Watson’s needle. Grumpy tells the story made memorable a decade ago by the fine acting of Cyril Maude.