"LIGHTNIN"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 183, 29 April 1920, Page 6

"LIGHTNIN"

DROLL COMEDY OF CHARACTER

"Lightnin'," a comedy in three acts by Winchell Smith nnd Prank Bacon. Cast! Liirhtnin' Bill Jones John D. O'Hara John Marvin Robert Toms Raymond Thomas lan Maclaren Lemuel Tovrnsend .... Frederick EBmelton Rodney Itarncr Thomas W. Llo.vd Everett Hammond Arthur Cornell Kevin Blodgctt John Beck Oscar Nelson David Draytou Teddy Peters H. H. Wallace Walter Lennon Edwin Lester Zob Crothcrs Fred Cainbourna Liveryman Joseph Rosier Teddy George Franks Mildred Buckley Lizette l'arkes Mrs. Jones Marion Marcus Clarkn Margarot Davis Diana Wilsou Mrs. Harper Kathleen Lawrence

"Liprhtnin"' is a comedy which must succeed, its drollery and sentimental pi* quancy being irresistible. Wineliell Smith, one of its duo of authors, is a specialist in "homeliness" of the Amerieaji brand, and ho allows his wellinz heart'to net into his pen to some purpose in thiß plav, for though lie has woven several age old situations intc the fabric of the story, he has invented an engaging gallery ol characters as distinctly drawn r.s tliev arc skilfully limned, chief amonj them "L'i:htnin"' Bill Jones, who, as depicted by Mr. John D. O'Hara, will remain a treasurablc memory for many years to come. There is really nothing vitally gripping in the plot. 110 startling situations, charm lying almost wliollv in tho foibles of its characters, and the dry, easy-going comedy which ambles pleasantly just <ls one would have it to !> ™nclusion 'hat everyone agrees is tlij right ono. Moreover, there is, best 01 all. no strain placed on the imagination and no effort is made to produce tho laughter that comes spontaneously from all parts of the house. Being essentially a comodv of character the story is not perhaps of the first importance, yet there i<» r\n el en vin fir its apnea! to the bean. "Ughtnin"' is the amiable white-haired, dririk-lovlne, sententious rniouse o£ Mrs. Joncß, a hard-working woman, who has set up an accommodation house 011 the line between California and Nevada, v hither disgruntled married folk seeking a, dissolution of that which, is heaven," may, whilst waiting a Reno judgment-. write to their friends from a UUfornlan address whilst fulfilling the residential proviso necessary to divorce M Nevada. A railroad company is aftei tno property, and a low-down lawyer, aware of its value, is conimw with Everett nammond to secure it from Vrs. flrown order to sell it to the railroad Their tale is believed hy Mrs. Brown n d her pretty, adopted daughter, but old Bill, nut wise to the trick by John Marvin, who knows the game, declines to sign 110. fcucn is Mrs Brown's disappointment at Bills attitude that slie shows- the old man tlie door, and. under instruction from tho swindlers, sues for a divorce. This action introduces the best tceiic in the nlay-a ■Reno Divorce Court. Hera there is a delightfully comic case, which involves an expectant, merry widow ?nd ail impressionable Judge, and afterwards the brown case is called. Yomie Marvin jumps uto the action as Bill's advocate, looks liko laying out the crookE, when the Judge discovers he is not an attorney, and has 110 standing in the. court. Thereußon "Lightnin' " (which 12 writ,sarcastic >kes up tho running, aud, prompted by ilarutt. completes the discomfiture ol ihc jyickett ones by disclosing the facta of their con* spiracy, and in the end poor, iiuaterca Mrs. Brown eecß the error sha kaslallen into, audfludß repentant consolation m the arms of her misunderstood spouse. Tlii3, however, gives 110 idea of the intrinsic value of "Liglitnm'" as a, character, tor this benign old true-heart is an itvoierate liar who would have done Mark Twain credit, lie is a laugiiable tippler, a. diowsy but ever so interesting yarn-ipm-uer, yet underncaiir ail his fun there is a loyalty ana lovableuess tnut playß on die heartstrings. Une lias to sea John D. OHura in the part to realise all this, lor the man realiy lives the part. The supporting company is sound, uiw Diana Wilson as the would-be widow, gives a comedy performance tnat has not been excelled since Marie Tempost ym& here. Oifted with a. statuesque figure and great personal charm, Miss Wilson, by a world of tricks of intonation and expression, shows how complete is her knowledge ol the joints in me armour 01 mere man, and her sceiics with tnc. juage (udm.uiu y nlayed by Mr. Fred. Issmelton) were richly comical. The inuereut boyish sincerity aud earnestness of Mr. Kouert loins aa Marvin single out that actor as one oE marked promise. He is bx-ieU". and natural in liis love scenes with KiljU't-d Buckley, aud there was lire as -Hell as reserve in his handling oi the court scene. Misb Lizette j. J ari;es's demurs charm was nicely displayed as the step-daughter, aud Miss Marion Clarke lent a homely touch to the role of "Lichtnin'fl harassed wife. u0 & cluUance characterised Mr. Lan Waclaren s work as Raymond Thomas, and iir. Ailhur Cornell was all sufficient as his partne) hi legalised fraud. Other good performinces were those of ilr. John -tftck i * 9 Blod"-ett, the sheriff, Mr. T. AV. Lloyd as Voduey Harper, Mr. Fred. Cainbourne ,ia 2eb Crothera, and Mr. a Oscar Nelsen. There is al»o .1 bui of would-be divorcbes who inhabit the "Nevada sidQ of the Brown menace. The play is well mounted, and jUgo management leaves nothing to be desiud.