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Comic dialogue.
It looks as though the much-heralded and expected nationwide Prohibition has done Eva Taylor and Lawrence Gratton a good turn. The Taylor-Gratton combination now has a stage vehicle that should cart them along to solid success. Gratton is the author of "Virginia Rye," which is a little comedy-satire on the country "dry"; after July 1. It's timely and allowing for some vivid stretches of imagination the humor is there, cleverly and capably sent over' by Miss Taylor, Mr. Gratton and two supporting male players. A film studio has been rented by the Hudson & Warner Co. for picture making in a town that is "dry.'' Subsequent dialog shows the entire United States is also prohibition. Mr. Hudson (Lawrence Gratton) is the office manager, while Miss Warner (Eva Taylor) is his right hand bower, office custodian, etc. It's rent day and there's nary a red, although the landlord says he will be in at noon sharp
to collect $100 in cash. That's a stunner for the m. p. makers. Miss Warner, proving the business end of the firm, digs up a quart bottle of ten year old whiskey. She says that will
bring the hundred. Subsequent phone calls by Miss Warner arouse interest in a "horse," known as "Virginia Dry," now on sale at the Hudson & Warner stable (studio). One man via phone offers to buy but can only give a check. A New York traveling salesman, hearing of the "horse", at the Temperance Club, drops in. Willing buyer. Has only check book. Goes out to raise coin. Meanwhile the deacon has telephoned, but he isn't given a tumble. Then one of the town's weatherbeaten characters, who became badly bent with rheumatism after July 1, and who's afraid of the influenza, comes in. The Temperance Club tip was on him. Said he heard there was liquor there and that it ought to be drunk up. The conversation and the old man's efforts to get a swallow of the rye furnish some bully good fun. Miss Warner outwits him and he leaves disappointed. The t. s. returns. Flashes roll. Sale's about made when Miss Warner informs the price has gone up a hundred. She had arranged with the landlord by a recent phoning to take the rye and call the rent oft. Her back is turned for a minute. T. salesman ducks with 'skey, in bag. Consternation. Hudson returns. Against law to call in legal
help to recover stolen goods, especially of the liquor stripe. They. exit to take picture. As woman points gun in air at imaginary foe the salesman comes along, bumps into the gat, and drops bag and makes quick vamp. Picture finished. Hudson and Warner go back to studio. In examining grip, instead of their "horse" there's a whole flock of full quart bottles. Big laughing finish. Sketch was thoroughly enjoyed and well sustained.
Source:
Variety, 54:4 (03/21/1919)