Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 February 1951 — Page 26

‘PAGE 28

SP Sheer Virtuosity——

«The Play’s The Thing

Lunts’ Acting Transcends . Soap-Opera-ish Plot

By HENRY BUTLER For sheer virtuosity, the Lunts’ performance in “I Know My Love” beats anything I've ever seen on the Indianapolis stage. The play, an adaptation made to order by 8. N. Behrman for Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, is no great shakes in itself. a I But as the Lunts perform — well as in years. Their 1902,

it, it’s the kind of thing that ;500 anq 1939 appearances are draws capacity houses, like more than triumphs of acting in ‘the one last night at the Murat./the physical sense. They convey Its theme, heart-warming in an, the spirit of those periods. almost soap-opera-ish way, is| The entire performance is

Not

simply that a woman with tenacity, courage and imagination can make a marriage endure successfully throughout 50 years. In this instance, the marriage is bhetween Emily Talbot (Miss Fon-| tanne), daughter of a Victorian) era Boston tycoon, and Thomas | Chanler (Mr. Lunt), described by Emily's father as “a cheap newspaper scribblér.” (At least three ‘spectators last night were rooting for Tom.) This 1s back in the 1880's. The marriage takes place, despite

something you wouldn't believe

{possible, It's a career-long course

in acting done in capsule form for amateur aspirants, Too bad the

{Murat is too small and the run is

{too short for that course to reach {more students,

Now for some hasty credits, {with apologies to those neglected] in this excellent company: Sandy {Campbell, as the frustrated and suicide-minded adolescent reading

{Goethe's “Werther,” does a com-

pelling performance in Act I. Es-

ther Mitchell, as Lucy, the maid,|

erusty old Jerome Talbot's ob-| Bradually gets gray and arthritic jections. And, in a sort of Eu- {as gracefully as the Lunts them‘gene O'Neill way, Tom the vision- * selves. ary radical turns out to be Tom Edward Andrews, as alcoholic the eminently practical. Tom Danlel Talbot; Gaye Jordan, as builds up the Talbot textile for- Claire Chanler; Mary Fickett, as| tune, while Jerome's son Daniel, Eleanor (Sissy) Peabody; Thomas

‘pretending to be an artist, makes| |Palmer, as Nicholas Ballard; Wil-

“a career of demon rum.

Emily, with a mind of her own, is devoted and far-seeing, never) possessive. Conséquently, she's| unspoiled by Increasing prosperit§,| and, though hurt by Tom's infidelities, she's wise enough to hold the marriage together until

the big’final 1939 golden wedding!

scene. Then Tom reiterates his 1920 confession to her that he “adores her. This kind of plot, with social prestige and textile wealth nicely interwoven, is pure soap opera. "But Mr. Behrman and the Lunts contrive to suggest at many points ‘the tragic conflicts. A great deal is left unresolved in the final ‘scene, 80 that you have what is “actually a lengthy novel com‘pressed into a three-act play.

liam Le Massena, as Frederic Chanler (junior Hitler of the family); Sarah Marshall, as Nicola, and finally young Clifford Tatum Jr,, as banister-sliding Eugene (I Hope Clifford “ gets along better, than Eugene seems likely to), all deserve big praise.

This isn’t just another show. It's a big event that will be repeated this afternoon and svening.

in cost are Times classified adn, £2. ZEP P24

needs . . . selling . . . renting . . . hiring help , . . recovering lost articles . . . swaps . . . services. Phone Riley 5551 and place a low-cost Times Want Ad.

Plot, however, is less important

than acting. Mr. Lunt and ‘Miss Fontanne do the amazing theat‘rical trick, aided by costumes; decor and a wonderful group of supporting players, of making social history as well as individual lives come true. In 1888, they're mot only young and bouncy, but also genuinely in style for that year, They age In style of _behavior,

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the Brave,” will be seen as a medical corpsman in "The Steel Helmet," Korean action" film now at the Indians Theater. Mission Will Visit Franklin College Times State Service FRANKLIN, Feb, 8—The nationally appointed University

Christian * Mission will visit Franklin College during the

TIMES AMUSEMENT CLOCK

~ MUNAR ri

PRE a Po son 00" or, Spek at je Ee 8:90, Leo

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RECITAL SCHEDULED The Indianapolis Plano Teachers’ Association will give a co-

Camer: 2:08. 5:

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SHORTRIDGE JUNIOR VAUDEVILLE

Feb. 8-9—8:15 P.M. CALL. TA-2493—-8 A.M. 10 4 P.M.

The Bite

There's something about “store bought” teeth that intrigues a 12-year-old. A youngster was turned over to Juvenile Ald Division yesterday after he was accused by a downtown dentist of stealing a new get of false teeth. The boy told authorities he “snapped the teeth a little while” before leaving them in a telephone booth. Police couldn't find the falsies.

UNIVERSAL NEWS And SHORT SUBJECTS

operative student recital at 8 p. m. tomorrow in the DAR Chapter House, 824 N. Pennsylvania St.

TIED TONITE ALL REL ITV oo 6-0

school’s Religious Emphasis Week beginning Sunday, | Franklin is the only college in| United States to receive the assistance of the mission for Re{ligiotis Emphasis Week. The UCM iis a Prostestant movement { planned to give religious guidance {to men.and women in college. At Franklin the mission will

{Indiana and one of 22 in the,

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conduct discussions of tional relations, economic problems and other {subjects of particular interest to! young adults.

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Tickets obtainable through your plant, members of the Purchasing Agents Association or show office, 1305 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, Ind., L1-5029.