The Theatre: New Plays in Manhattan: Nov. 6, 1933

(3 of 3)

Her Master's Voice (by Clare Kummer; Max Gordon, producer). Except for such rare fumbles as last month's Amourette, Playwright Kummer usually exhibits flash and speed if not power and drive. Having absolutely nothing to say, she nevertheless manages to say it pleasantly, and her latest piece, dealing with the young Farrars of Homewood, N. J., is additionally brightened by the return from Hollywood of droll Roland Young and crack-brained Laura Hope Crews. Ned Farrar (Mr. Young) is an irresponsible husband who "makes just enough not to get along on," loses his job, accepts a position as handyman in the home of his wife's rich aunt (Miss Crews). This lady, unaware of his identity, takes a strong fancy to her new employe. The situation is considerably complicated when Farrar's wife goes to visit her aunt. Playwright Kummer has provided a suitably moonstruck conclusion for her ingratiating trifle.

Give Us This Day (by Howard Koch; Francis I. Curtis & Richard Myers, producers) is a rather forlorn case of author's indigestion. The good idea which Author Koch has bitten off and cannot chew is that of a family waiting for an old lady to die and leave them her $200,000. They wait 15 years while the old ogress, who never appears on the stage, clings to life in her room upstairs, taps signals on a steam pipe to summon the heirs & heiresses for obsequious ministrations, keeps them on tenterhooks by changing her will every so often. The grandson (Paul Guilfoyle) and his fiancee (Linda Watkins) are frustrated when the matriarch will not let him go to medical school; the granddaughter, prevented from marrying her garageman, sneaks off for weekends with him, contracts a baby.