Theatre: New Plays in Manhattan: Dec. 8, 1930

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This is New York. There is an old saying that "New York is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't live there if you gave me the place." Robert E. Sherwood, once an editor of Life, having written The Road to Rome and Waterloo Bridge, has turned his attention to this saw and has evidently decided to make a rebuttal. Producer Arthur Hopkins has selected a creditable cast to present Mr. Sherwood's side of the question. There is charming, blonde Lois Moran, recently of the audible cinema. Her legitimate stage technique is somewhat adolescent, but she is satisfying. There is Geoffrey Kerr, who not long ago wrote and acted in London Calling and is author of the Vanity Fair telegram-stories. He is an expert mummer. Also in the cast is Audray Dale (One, Two, Three!), talented, dark, svelte.

Playwright Sherwood's show begins when Miss Moran's father, a South Dakota Senator, comes to New York. Both he and his wife are definitely opposed to the city, advocate its secession from the union. No less are they opposed to their daughter's marrying Mr. Kerr, a Manhattan socialite whose past is rife with youthful follies. Then Miss Moran attempts to extricate her fiance from the claims of his mercenary mistress (Miss Dale). It is about this time (Act II) that the play begins to take life. At the paramour's apartment an impromptu fiesta takes place, during which a very battered young pugilist wanders around wanting to "take a sock" at someone. "Just one sock!" he pleads. And then there is an unfortunate suicide. Miss Moran is distressed at what her father's constituency may think. Mr. Kerr is distressed at what his family will think. Miss Dale sees her hush money slipping away from her.

Playwright Sherwood ultimately makes a very good case for New York. His play drags a bit in spots, but is commendable.

First Night. The idea behind this mystery play is far too ingenious for the job of play writing that Frederick Rath has given it. The audience are asked to consider themselves visitors at Sing Sing prison who have been invited to witness the tryout of a new drama. Among the spectators is "Governor Moore" (onetime Governor Alfred Emanuel Smith was there on the opening night) and "Warden Ross." Although the Governor repeatedly tries to have the show stopped, the warden and a young woman whose brother is sentenced to be electrocuted next day persuade him to see the thing out. As the little play within a play unfolds, like Hamlet's ruse to catch the conscience of the King, it becomes evident that the sister's plan is to present to the Governor evidence in her brother's behalf which he had refused to consider previously. Ultimately the Governor is convinced that the condemned brother is innocent, that another Sing Sing inmate (fortunately present, serving a stretch for forgery) is really the man who murdered the sister's betrayer, the crime which the innocent boy came within an ace of expiating. The script is abominable, the plot rather well designed,