Life, 1919-05-29 · page 24 of 42
Life — May 29, 1919 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page reviews two theatrical productions from what appears to be the early 20th century. **"John Ferguson"** is praised as a serious Irish drama about a devout farmer, his daughter, and son. The plot involves a money-lender's brutality and a killing, with the weak-willed daughter seeking vengeance while the stronger brother accepts justice mercifully. The review commends the playwright St. John Ervine for emotionally engaging Greek-chorus-like characters and the cast's performances, though the OCR makes full details unclear. **"Pretty Soft"** receives harsh criticism—described as "not pretty bad—it is very bad." Originally a French farce, its English adaptation allegedly strips away grace, replacing it with coarse humor. The review suggests the cast's poor acting compounds the material's fundamental weakness, predicting it won't run long. **The cartoon** below shows three figures in a music store—likely illustrating the caption about whistling a tune to "the girl in the music store," a period romantic trope.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE - goes to plead for delay in payment with the money-lender who has been shown as a brutal personality. S| having been made his victim by force. The youth she ry, the weakest but most emotional of the char. on himself what seems proof positive of the k really been done by the taciturn but more resol. In the end the brother, easily have ese: renders himself to a justice which we know would, in cumstances, be tempered with mercy. f a complicated plot, but one which RODUCED earlier in the year, * , eloped to hold the interest in every too serious for summer entertain 1 ugh it we have moving, as a sort of Greek chor Created a sensation adm of powe 1 and his Bible, the mot well played, and doubtless have enjoyed a much longe ind an Irish beggar, all 1 is possible with warm weather close at hand so draw e author that we never do: and character, In h actory There is great tragedy, progressing relentlessly . ; 1 heightens the reali a humble s pundy None of its pers understand: mold or endowed with the lofty repro nm of the father governed by the Scripture: and thor seems to ‘ then Rollo Peters for the restr ed for with which he le feeling for the seriousness of their expe son and brother: to Mr. Dudley Di the u he story would have been miajestic effective lover i. rt for his d have made endously emotional and stirred his audience zrateful ones, an as the in. to deep feeling: Mr. St. John Ervine has been conten and Heler 1 he mother are always well the story hold the interest intent throush its simple tell re. and out i trong awing the personali of his rural John Fer ands o s one of the few rea away with the knowledge that they have been deeply i John gison, who gives the play s title a and devout fath o a family consi of i ‘pe TY SOFT daughter and son. The action passes in the combined tent, in writing, and living-room of his me J farm-house. The daughter duced obviously to ¢ erring Englis! ward handling. The cas! members should he above su acts badly, perhaps throv ness that comes with shamefacedne retty Soft” is not likely to harm. It is too stupid to last lon: now to creen fields and other occupa- The theat- season has its end, as impor- ace are concerned. Owi to the abundance of stra nioney y to be in New York this summer, more the- WHEN YOU TRY TO WHISTLE THAT PIECE TO THE GIRL IN THE MUSIC STORE atres than usual are bound to be o: