Life — October 4, 1900 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

*LIFE- 273 & production of ‘ Hamlet” in these days was proof indeed that he has set his mark high But Mr. Sothern's attempt was far from failure elaborateness of Sir Henry Irving's methods, he has gi if not the best, setting it has ever had in America. nowadays he was willing to face thi His compa to be wondered at when it ii actors ever get a chance at Shakespeare's lines. Virginia Harned’s Ophelia, while not absolutely bad, fell short of the requirements of the part, and, with the exception of Mr. Varrey’s Polonius, the remainder of the characters showed how little attention is paid to-day to clear enunciation and grace of carriage. Mr. Sothern's own work as Hamlet was a most agreeable sur- prise. Lire has often questioned his real power as an actor and has commented upon the monotony of his delivery. In some passages he forced himself into a false, throaty yoice rather painful to the ear, but in the main his delivery was clear and his utterance modulated agreeably. In the vehement passages his tongue stumbled at times, mixing the words, but perhaps the author, rather than the actor, should be blamed for difficult phrases to be uttered in the heat of emotion. Mr. Sothern’s reading of the lines showed study and full comprehensio It has been said that Hamlet is in this respect a part that plays itself and it may so impress the closet student of Shakespeare. But between mental comprehension and clear inter- pretation by speech and act there lies much space, as those can testify who have seen many Jamlets, In force, in intelligence and in logicality, Mr. Sothern's is entitled to rank with the best seen by this generation of play-goers. In many points it is original and agreeably so. It is a very human Hamlet, notably in the grave- digger scene, where the atmosphere approaches that of modern colloquialism, thereby touching our sympathies closely and forming a fine contrast for the heroic acting that follows. Throughout the play Mr. Sothern shows a true appreciation of its contrasts and handles the lights and shadows with artistic dexterity. His Hamlet isa notable achievement in a career that at one time seemed un- promising from the higher point of view, and Lire congratulates Mr. Sothern on what he has done for himself and for dramatic art. It is unusual that an actor who owes his material success largely to the matinée girl should desert her for more serious appreciation, but Mr. Sothern has despoiled the Egyptians to good purpose, and no lover of Shakespeare should fail to see his interpretation of one of the Bard's greatest creations. Metcalfe. ae “pon'r TOUCH ME OR I'LL SCREAM,” SAID THE STEAM WHISTLE TO THE ENGINEER, Without going into the great ven ‘ Hamlet” one of the best, ‘To do Shakespeare such honor pretty sure to mean pecuniary loss, and that, in his good cause, is much to Mr, Sothern's credit as an artist. ‘as, unfortunately, not as good as the settings, a fact not 3 remembered how few of our present-day The Prince: wxs., ULL BE BLOWED! IP 1 HAVEN'T GONE AND RESCUED MY wire, A Letter. DEAR LIFE: In your «Guide to Voters " erase the word" pante from your Bryan predictions, Panics are not the result of any policy of any administration. They are caused entirely at the will of finarclers. In March, 1843, banks notified all customers they would not reuew the ninety: day loans falling due June Ist, 1893—hence the Bankers’ Pantc, [tts true it nearly smashed the banks. They only tridged over with the fat of Clearing House certificates, They deplete the gold in the Treasury, or focrease It at will, The finances are entirely independent of politica, If Mr. Bryan allowed government funds to Le deposited with private banks, and the Treasury was authorized to help those who were aqueezed, there would be no panic. The moment the financtal world ts called on to “cash in,” there 18 no cash, and hence panic. Our prosperity depends on the will of the hanks. The only difference between the double and single standard ts that tt {easter to control matters with a single standard. It 1s well that it {#.s0. The tron, oll, coal and agricultural interests are controlled by bratny men. The money trade Is controlled by the braintest men, They do It well--of course At ts greatly to thelr personal advantage, and when It becomes grievous, which tt will not, we will change it. Yours truly, Dexvex, CoLonano, September 8, 1900, ‘ W. ©. Calkins, [St it wonderful how much bigger a five per cent. advance in coal seems than a twenty-five per cent. ad- vance in the price of cigars? comicbooks.com