Life — October 25, 1917 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

METTEK THAN FEMALE SUPPRAG! bers. Why the not particularly successful “Tale of a Coat" should have been chosen for the purpose is shrouded in mys- tery, but that doesn’t matter. The girls are attractive, the music is tinkling, the fun has been increased, and, as musical plays go, the result is above the average, Ruby Norton is a cious soubrette, and Mr. Ernest Torrence as a Scotch com- poser gives us a new brand of fun. It is safe to say that “Furs and Frills” will have a longer run on Broadway than anything by William Shakespeare now in sight. Wu. [Se SYCHO-SPIRITUALISM applied to a murder problem gives “The Barton Mystery" its claim to existence. It is lightened up with a comedy touch, so it may be well not to analyze its melo- drama too seriously. It may be said, though, that 1 its plot presupposes an entire lack of intelligence on the part of the audience, and is developed by the author with the unfair process of producing mystification by an utter disregard of even the stage’s methods of throwing suspicion on several persons in turn, Its climax becomes farcical in vagueness and in the hberties taken with British court procedure. We all like to be fooled, but we also wish to be come at in the process as though we had at least ordinary intelligence. Mr. A. E. Anson is amusing as a familiar type of psychic who very obviously follows the game for what there is in it. Even here the author leaves us guessing whether Beverely is all fraud or only partially so, At all events the rdle gives Mr. Anson opportunities to be both picturesque and amusing. He has surrounded himself with an excellent cast, rather better, in fact, than is deserved by such an inconsequential play. “The Barton Mystery” is said to have had a considerable run in London. Which shows that London is glad to welcome ything that will take its thoughts off the war and dread of what a London friend describes as “the frequent scattering of confetti by the ‘Un. Metcalfe. Astor.—" The Very Idea." An amusing exposition of the fact that if you must have a cugenic baby, you would better let someone else do it for yor Polly with a Past." Agrecable light comedy. well staged and showing Ina Claire as charming in a ley Bijou.—" The Torches," by M. Henri Bataille. ¢ later, Booth.—" The Masquerader " with Mr. Guy Rates Post. Interest ing hut rather incredible drama with the star in a double réle, Broadhurst.—Mr. Bernard Shaw's “* Misalliance.”” Clever, but rather tiresome, monologue distributed among a number of well- chosen actors in an excellent stage setting, Casino.—" Furs and Frills.” See above. Century.—Opens next week with “ Miss 19 Cohan and Harris.—" A Tailor- The misdemeanors of a suit of evening clothes turned into clever and well acted comedy. Comedy.—" The Barton Mystery," by Mr, Walter Hackett. See above. Cort.— Mother Carey's Chickens.” Mother-love play with good- ness and sweetness exaggerated to the nth degree. Criterion." Anthony in Wonderland with Mr, Henry Miller. Notice later. Eltinge-—" Business Before Pleasure." Messrs. Potash and Perl- mutter engage in the movie-picture industry with laughable results, Empire.—* Rambler Rose” with Julia Sanderson and Mr. Joseph Cawthorn. Agreeable but far from novel musical comedy done in the familiar fashion, Forty-fourth Street—" Witchy Koo" and Mr, Raymond Hitch- cock, “Background of elaborate girl-and-music show with the star more amusing than usual. Fortyeighth Street—“The Land of the Free" with Florence Nash as the star. Drama of the Yiddish immigrant and the sweat- shop. ‘The star entirely acceptable in an amusing réle. Fulton—" The Claim,” by Messrs. Charles Kenyon and Frank Dare. See above, Goiety.—" The Country Cousin,” by Messrs. Booth Tarkington and Julian Street. Again we are shown in a fairly entertaining way that country folks, especially in the Middle West, are all good and that city folks, especially in the East, are all bad. Garrick —Closed until its opening as the “Theatre du Vieux Colombier. Globe.—"* Jack o* Lantern” with Mr, Fred Stone, Notice later Harris.—* Romance and Arabelle,” by Mr. William Hurlbut, with Laura Hope Crews. Notice later. ‘Hippodrome.—" Cheer Up." Big and bracing spectacular show with a lot of laughs. Hudson.—" The Rescuing Angel with Billie Burke, See above. Knickerbocker-—Mr. George Arliss in.“ Hamilton.” Interesting episodes in the interesting days of the formation of the American Republic. The star not entirely convincing in the title part. Liberty.—" Out There," by Mr. Hartley Manners. Laurette Taylor as a living protest against the slacker. Diverting war comedy, well lone. Longacr “Leave It to Jane.” A musical version of The Col- lege Widow" with a lot of the fun lost in the transformation. Lyceum.—Mr. Belasco produces "Tiger Rose.” Melodrama of i the Canadian Northwest. Picturesque but not startling in its iginality. Lyric.—Moving pictures. Manhattan Opera House.—' Chu Chin Chow.” Notice later. Marine Eltiott's.—Marjorie Rambeau in “The Eyes of Youth." Drama with an original theme and cleverly acted. Morosco.—' Lombardi, Ltd.,” by Mr. and Mrs, Hatton. The flashy side of the fashionable dressmaking industry with a few well-rendered sentimental touches. Playhouse.—Grace George in “ Eve's Daughter.” Plymouth.—* A Successful Calamity” with Mr. William, C New York family life in its up-to-date aspects. Cleverly written and amusingly acted. Princess—" Oh, Boy.” Frivolous combination of music, girls and fun attractively presented. Republic.—" Peter Tbbetson.” Originally a dream story by Du Maurier, now an interesting and well staged play. Shubert." Maytime.” Charming musical play with sentimental touches and an appeal to the intelligence of the audience. Thirty-ninth Street.— De Luxe Annie.” Crime and_ psychology interestingly mixed in a well presented melodramatic comedy, Winter Garden.—* Doing Our Bit.” Notice later. comicbooks.com