Theatre: Ladder & Scandals

Monday, Nov. 19, 1928

A play called The Ladder opened in Boston this week. It closed in Manhattan last sennight, having run 107 weeks, costing its "angel," Edgar B. Davis, an estimated 10% of his estimated $15,000,000 oil fortune. As everyone knows,* the play concerns the theosophical doctrine of reincarnation, to which Millionaire-Angel Davis sincerely, munificently subscribes. It meandered between four theatres, was rewritten many times,† had a period of "revision" during which the public was admitted free. Frequently Millionaire-Angel Davis gave bonuses of $20-gold pieces, paid well the cast, the author, J. Frank Davis (no blood relation of Edgar B. Davis), onetime newscribe, gave bonuses to the underworked ushers.

* Except Jack Kearns, whilom manager of Pugilist Jack Dempsey, who, knowing nothing of the theatre, was persuaded by a friend to buy two tickets for the show a fortnight ago, was one of an audience of 20 persons, was laughed at for his ignorance by many a Broadwayfaring friend.

†So many times that Heywood Broun said it should be given frequent change of title, such as The Ladder of August 24, The Ladder of August 27, 5:30 p. m., after the manner of Scandals of 1924, Follies of 1922.

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