Louise Dresser and Co. (2).

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19 Mins.; Full Stage. “A Turn of the Knob” For Louise Dresser’s return to vaudeville she has selected an entertaining little comedy skit with a splendid idea and a fine line of dialog and one that should keep her continually playing, for Louise Dresser is popular wherever she is known. The story is of a prominent city investigator (Geo W. Howard) who is due to play a principal role in a wedding 15 minutes after the rise of the curtain. The scene is his apartment on the 10^th floor of a hotel. His future brother-in-law (Edward Langford) rushes out for the ring and during his absence an insurance solicitor (Miss Dresser) gains entrance through a ruse and proceeds to talk the bridegroom into a policy. Having just completed a searching investigation of the local insurance companies, his name to a policy would be a valuable asset to any firm, and the solicitor is anxious. In his attempt to escape, the door-knob becomes loose and is pried off, leaving them marooned. Immediately afterward, while endeavouring to reach the office via the phone, he breaks the telephone wire. To be brief, the girl finally secures his promise to the application just as the other chap returns. Finding the couple alone in the room the visitor demands an explanation, and although unaware of the promise or its meaning, insists it to be fulfilled. Incidentally the brother-in-law recognizes the girl as his ideal of a wife and upon the men’s exit, locks her in to await his return when he purposes to resume his interrupted business of making love. Langford is a bit weak for his particular role, his enunciation falling short, although as the part is of minor importance he passes muster. Miss Dresser looks better in this role than in any previous vaudeville effort and scored an individual hit. Mr. Howard fills his role nicely. The piece works jerky in sections, but should eventually develop speed and accumulate strength with playing. It pulled one of the hits at the Palace and well deserved to.

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