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Dialogue.
"Intelligence."
The historical conditions surrounding the origin of this playlet in the town of St. Soupiet, on the plains of Picardy, France, after the men of the 27th and 30th Divisions of the A. E. F. bravely breached the Hindenburg line, are more interesting than the actual presentation of it. The sketch was written by Hugh Stanislaus Stange, attached to the intelligence section of the 27th Division Headquarters, and Mr. Stange, in making a brief announcement before the curtain, said that the incident actually happened. That the incident appealed to Mr. Stange and those who enacted it in the be-littered home of Jean, an aged Frenchman, as a pathetic example of patriotism there can be no doubt and much more than it could appeal to an audience here, especially when the stage presentation is given by soldiers and not professional actors. There are two doughboys, an English lieutenant, and Jean. The latter has been cooped up in the little town for four years under the Hun heel and he hugs the stove, unmindful of things about him, taking all who enter as only more of the hated Boche. Two doughboys enter, intending to make the attic an observation post. They are unable to make old Jean talk. All he knows is that they have taken his daughter Marie away and all the rest of the family. The English officer is able to secure a somewhat better idea of the old man's troubles and puts him down as half demented. But the two Americans suspect the old boy of having set a trap in the bureau, but when they open the drawer they discover the carefully guarded silken Tricolor of France. They drape the flag over a picture and it is only then that Jean understands the Americans have come. He feebly shouts for America and France and when the doughboys exit, picks up his violin to play the "Marseillaise" for the first time since the Hun came. Jean is rather well played by Franklin Bingham, the others concerned being Frank Sartorius, James Dechert and Jack Dillon. The act was staged under the direction of Stanley G. Wood. As a soldier effort it's not a bad attempt at "all, but probably found attempt at all, but probably found place on the Palace bill because of the fame won by the division and the welcome given the returned men in New York this week.
Source:
Variety, 54:5 (03/28/1919)